NEC to be turned into coronavirus hospital

The NEC is set to become a dedicated coronavirus hospital.

The move was confirmed by after Blackstone, which owns the NEC, said it would be providing its facility to the NHS free of charge.

It will a branch of the NHS Nightingale hospitals, the first of which is set to open at Excel in London. A further hospital will open in Manchester.

Lionel Assant, Blackstone head of European private equity, said: “Like the rest of the country we want to help in any way we can during this crisis, including putting the entire NEC facility at the disposal of the NHS for as long as it needs it.”

Andy Street, West Midlands mayor, said: “A massive thank you to Paul Thandi and his team for stepping up during this time of national emergency and providing the use of the NEC for the NHS. This is an incredible gesture and one that will unquestionably help the West Mids deal with this pandemic.”

Meanwhile, a temporary mortuary is set to be opened at Birmingham Airport. Some 1,500 bodies could be stored at the facility, according to reports.