Marine Lake events centre in Southport four industry-leading organisations to work on the project

Sefton Council has announced the appointment of four industry-leading organisations to work on the stunning Marine Lake Events Centre project in Southport.

Situated on Southport Promenade, the spectacular new events space, will be combined with a jaw-dropping ‘Light Fantastic’ animation on the Marine Lake. Funding is being provided from the Southport Town Deal and support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Throughout the last few months, Sefton Council has been working hard to appoint architects, project management teams, engineers and specialist consultants to the project in order to begin the transformation.

After a detailed and stringent tendering process, Sefton Council has appointed:

-    AFL Architects (a Manchester based commercial architecture firm)
-    IPW (UK wide sports, venue & entertainment consultants)
-    Gardiner & Theobald LLP  (A property consultancy firm providing project & cost management services for the project)
-    AECOM (A global infrastructure consultancy firm delivering a wide range of engineering services for the project)

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, welcomed the appointments, saying: “As the largest investment project included within the Southport Town Deal, the Marine Lake Events Centre will provide Southport with an incredible events space with state-of-the-art facilities to attract a continuous and wide range of different types of entertainment, events and audiences to the resort.

“That is why we need to work with the very best of the best to help deliver this project effectively and successfully from the very beginning. 

“We chose firms that share our passion and ambition to transform Southport into a thriving and vibrant visitor destination through the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre and it is clear that everyone we have brought on board is extremely excited to get started on this project.

“AFL Architects will provide detailed and achievable designs, capturing the modern and sleek feel of the new-look centre, while preserving the surrounding heritage and history of the promenade to compliment the versatility we want the centre to have.

“IPW will be on hand to provide guidance and experience to the project thanks to its impressive history of helping to deliver on a number of entertainment venues and they will work alongside Gardener & Theobald LLP to make sure we are working efficiently and within budgets.

“We have also brought in civil engineering consultants AECOM, who have a huge presence in the North West to focus on the engineering aspects of the project from public health to structural engineering.”

It is believed the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre will lead to footfall of over 515,000 visitors to the waterfront. It will also create 288 jobs, and boost the town's hotel and hospitality sector with nearly 60,000 overnight stays from conferences and events alone.

/Ends

A spokesperson for AFL Architects said: "We could not be more thrilled to be the chosen for this project, working with Sefton Council and their development partners. We believe people are brought together by shared experiences and active involvement in their communities. This project embodies both with a flexible, multi-purpose events centre that is steeped in dialogue and engagement with the people who will benefit most. The sustainability of this highly flexible venue will allow it to be a regenerative, revitalising development that attract visitors and bring life back into the town centre. We now have a massive responsibility to Southport and the wider Merseyside area to create something incredible and energising for the Marine Lake setting."

**


Nick Russell Director at IPW said: “We are delighted that we can bring together a world class team to deliver this venue for Southport.  From our first involvement we recognised what a fantastic opportunity this scheme can provide for the business events and entertainment industry but of course for the people of Southport and the Liverpool City Region. We have created some great venues around the world and with Sefton Council and its partners we are committed to making sure this project will be a major attraction in the regional economy. Southport has a long tradition as a business and leisure destination and this scheme will bring it back to being a significant venue in the national marketplace.”

***

Gardiner & Theobald LLP (G&T) have been appointed to provide Project and Cost Management services for the delivery of the Marine Lake Events Centre. G&T Lead Partner for the project, Craig McLellan, stated “we are delighted to be supporting Sefton Council in the delivery of this this high-quality entertainment and conference venue, which will greatly contribute to the transformation of Southport into a thriving and vibrant visitor destination.”

****

Matthew DeRenzy Jones, Project Director for AECOM, said: “The new Marine Lake Events Centre will be the heart of the community for Southport. Our multidisciplinary engineering team bring extensive experience in the delivery of sustainable events and exhibition spaces globally. We look forward to working with Sefton Council and their partners to help deliver this transformative project for Southport.” 

A spokesperson for AFL Architects said: "We could not be more thrilled to be the chosen for this project, working with Sefton Council and their development partners. We believe people are brought together by shared experiences and active involvement in their communities. This project embodies both with a flexible, multi-purpose events centre that is steeped in dialogue and engagement with the people who will benefit most. The sustainability of this highly flexible venue will allow it to be a regenerative, revitalising development that attract visitors and bring life back into the town centre. We now have a massive responsibility to Southport and the wider Merseyside area to create something incredible and energising for the Marine Lake setting."

**


Nick Russell Director at IPW said: “We are delighted that we can bring together a world class team to deliver this venue for Southport.  From our first involvement we recognised what a fantastic opportunity this scheme can provide for the business events and entertainment industry but of course for the people of Southport and the Liverpool City Region. We have created some great venues around the world and with Sefton Council and its partners we are committed to making sure this project will be a major attraction in the regional economy. Southport has a long tradition as a business and leisure destination and this scheme will bring it back to being a significant venue in the national marketplace.”

***

Gardiner & Theobald LLP (G&T) have been appointed to provide Project and Cost Management services for the delivery of the Marine Lake Events Centre. G&T Lead Partner for the project, Craig McLellan, stated “we are delighted to be supporting Sefton Council in the delivery of this this high-quality entertainment and conference venue, which will greatly contribute to the transformation of Southport into a thriving and vibrant visitor destination.”

****

Matthew DeRenzy Jones, Project Director for AECOM, said: “The new Marine Lake Events Centre will be the heart of the community for Southport. Our multidisciplinary engineering team bring extensive experience in the delivery of sustainable events and exhibition spaces globally. We look forward to working with Sefton Council and their partners to help deliver this transformative project for Southport.”