Liverpool Marina invests £250,000 in events company
LIVERPOOL Marina has invested £250,000 in the company behind the Liverpool Boat Show.
The Marina’s main shareholder – North West property developer, David Beard, and his operational director, Dave Murray – have agreed terms to take a 20% shareholding in Marine Industry Events, the company which is delivering the show, and will join its board.
The news comes as organisers continue to secure leading global brands as exhibitors for the event, which is predicted to attract upwards of 300,000 people when it takes place from April 29 to May 8 next year.
Manufacturers such as Sealine, Fairline and Sunseeker are among the scores of companies which have agreed to exhibit at the event, which takes place in and around the Albert Dock.
Mr Beard said: “This is an important day for us and we are delighted to be on board with MIE who have done such a fantastic job to date in making this event happen.
“Most of the great coastal cities of the world can boast attractive recreational water space and a vibrant marina, but few are in Liverpool’s class.
“We look forward to working closely with the city council, British Waterways and Liverpool Waterfront Partnership in making the boat show a success and hopefully attracting other events which will continue to raise the city’s global profile.”
Mr Murray added: “We are really looking forward to helping to bring this event together.
“We will use this opportunity to expand our existing berthing facilities so that we are able to create the capacity to accommodate the large number of visiting craft we are expecting from the 70 or so participating clubs from all parts of the west coast and Ireland.
“We will also be working closely with our own Liverpool Yacht club whose members are also keen to play a part and have committed significant resources.”
The Marina, which is situated in the South Docks, has some 350 permanent pontoon berths, a bar, conference facilities and a 200-cover restaurant which is earmarked as the main venue for exhibitors’ after-event entertainment.
It has the area’s only lift-out crane and boat yard facilities and also offers a full range of engineering, chandlery and boat sales on site by supply partners.
Marine Industry Events managing director Rob McKenzie said: “We are delighted to have the Marina working with us and at the commitment they have shown to helping us make this unique event a resounding success.
“There is tremendous synergy between their marine-related skills and facilities and our aspirations to create a world beating event for a city with Liverpool’s maritime credentials. We also expect their local knowledge and contacts to be invaluable to us.”
The Liverpool Boat Show is being delivered by Marine Industry Events Ltd in partnership with Liverpool City Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Liverpool Vision, British Waterways, Albert Dock Liverpool, The Mersey Partnership and the new Liverpool Waterfront Partnership.
