Liverpool appoints ISG to build exhibition centre

LIVERPOOL City Council has awarded the £40m contract to build an exhibition and events centre on the city’s waterfront to developer ISG.

The 87,000 sq ft building at Kings Dock will form part of ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena.

It will double existing exhibition space with three halls of 29,000 sq ft, separated by movable walls.
 
London-based ISG, which has offices in Manchester and Liverpool, built the 6,000 seat London 2012 Velodrome.

A planning application will be submitted in March and construction should start next autumn. The council hopes to have the site finished by spring 2015. It is still looking for a partner to deliver a 200-bed hotel next to the site.

In its first year of operation, Exhibition Centre Liverpool is expected to host about 50 events and attract some 250,000 visitors.

ACC chiefs estimate that the exhibition and event programme will support 1,300 jobs in the wider economy and contribute around £40m in economic benefit a year to the Merseyside area.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said: “ISG has an excellent track record in delivering large-scale, international projects and its appointment brings our vision to deliver a world class exhibition centre at Kings Dock a major step closer to reality.
 
“Building on the success of ACC Liverpool, Exhibition Centre Liverpool will continue our city’s transformation into one of Europe’s leading destinations for large-scale conferences, exhibitions and events. It will bring major economic benefits to our city, providing a massive boost for local businesses and creating jobs.
 
“It’s all systems go now and I’m looking forward to us working together in the coming months to progress these exciting plans.”

ISG’s North West managing director Jim Parker said: “As part of our commitment to generating a highly positive legacy and maximising the regional economic benefits of this key construction project, we will be working closely with the skilled local supply chain, as well as providing community employment and training opportunities.”