London 2012’s ISG wins Exhibition Centre Liverpool tender

The construction company behind one of the key London 2012 Olympics sporting arenas has been appointed to build Liverpool’s £40m exhibition centre.
 
Liverpool City Council has awarded the contract for the new development at Kings Dock to ISG, the firm responsible for the 6,000-seat Velodrome in London’s Olympic Park.
 
The purpose-built exhibition centre was first revealed in March 2011 and will consist of three interconnected halls of 2,700sqm, or 8,100sqm in total. It will be located alongside ACC Liverpool’s BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena and used to expand the site’s capacity for exhibitions, live events, concerts and sports events.
 
ISG was chosen following a competitive tender process and will be responsible for construction of the new venue as well as an integrated hotel. The plans include a public atrium, food and beverage outlets, meeting rooms and a business centre. The new venue will be connected to existing facilities by a covered link.
 
ISG is due to submit a planning submission in March 2013 and commence construction in autumn 2013. Work is expected to be completed in spring 2015, somewhat later than the September 2014 date first given. The city council is also seeking an operator to manage the hotel.
 
“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,” Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said.
 
“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.”
 
The additional space will raise ACC Liverpool’s total indoor space to 15,225sqm. The venue operator claims Exhibition Centre Liverpool will host 50 events and attract more than 250,000 visitors in its first year of operation. It estimates the expanded events programme will support 1,300 jobs in the area and deliver £40m in regional economic benefits.
 
“Appointing ISG, a renowned building contractor with a strong reputation, will help us develop this exciting project,” ACC Liverpool Chairman David McDonnell added. “We are confident the company will deliver a fantastic venue which will contribute hugely to the development of Liverpool Wateont.”
 
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