Plans to create a world-class exhibition centre and hotel in Liverpool have been given the green light.
The new £40m Exhibition Centre Liverpool and £26m integrated hotel at Kings Dock were approved by the City Council’s planning committee, 23 July.
It paves the way for work beginning, in late autumn, on the construction of the 8,100sqm, three-hall exhibition centre and the 200-room ‘headquarters’ hotel, which will form part of ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena. The new facilities will open in spring 2015.
“This is fantastic news for Liverpool,” said Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson. “I’ve pushed this project hard from the beginning, because I know the huge economic benefits it will bring to our city, attracting new visitors, boosting local business and creating jobs.
“This decision from the Planning Committee means we can now press ahead with delivering an absolutely world-class wateont development.”
Exhibition Centre Liverpool will be capable of hosting large-scale conferences, trade and consumer exhibitions, concerts and sports events on a national and international scale. Plans for the facility include an atrium, meeting rooms and a business centre. The three halls will each be 2,700sqm and will be separated by movable walls.
“It’s a huge boost for our city and yet more evidence that despite the recession, we continue to forge ahead with delivering important regeneration schemes. I’m looking forward to construction getting underway,” added Anderson.
ACC Liverpool Chief Executive Bob Prattey said: “Today’s approval is the culmination of more than two years of extensive planning and we are eager to move onto the next phase of the project and the continued progression of the city.”
Exhibition Centre Liverpool is expected to host about 50 events and attract more than 250,000 visitors in its first year of operation.
Pullman, which is owned by international hotel company Accor, will be the brand for the integrated, upscale, four-star hotel, which will include up to 10,500sqm of floor space and seven storeys of rooms, above a ground floor reception, lobby, restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and gym.
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