Birchwood confirmed at Hillsborough inquest venue
THE Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed Birchwood Park in Warrington will be the venue for next year’s inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, as revealed in TheBusinessDesk.com last week.
The grade A office park, which has been developed by MEPC, will host the hearings in the 15,500 sq ft ground floor of 305 Bridgewater Place.
The MoJ will begin fitting out the space before Christmas to meet the Coroner’s intention to start the inquests by the end of March.
Warrington was confirmed as the inquest location by Lord Justice Goldring last month. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) Hillsborough investigation has already moved into the North West Development Agency’s former head office at Renaissance House, Centre Park, close to the town. It is also occupied by a team working for the former Durham chief constable John Stoddart who is leading the criminal investigation into the disaster.
Ninety-five people died at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground during a 1989 cup tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The 96th victim died two years later in hospital. The original inquest was held in Sheffield in 1991 but the High Court quashed the original verdicts of accidental death in December.
David Thwaites from GVA who advised the MoJ, said: “In view of the high profile nature of the inquests and the interest it is likely to generate an easily accessible building was essential. Birchwood and Bridgewater Place in particular was the obvious choice due to the buildings excellent transport links and car parking facilities in addition to its wide range of on-site amenities.”
