ISG’s recent supply chain Open Day event has been heralded a major success with large numbers of local businesses taking the opportunity to register an interest in providing goods and services for the delivery of the new £40 million Exhibition Centre Liverpool development.
Jointly hosted by ISG, Liverpool City Council and ACC Liverpool, the Open Day event attracted over 280 visitors from a broad spectrum of regional construction-related businesses, including steelwork and groundwork contractors, to joinery, flooring and glazing specialists.
Senior representatives from main contractor ISG, Liverpool City Council, ACC Liverpool, and training partners Liverpool in Work and Liverpool Community College, were all on hand to answer questions on the construction of the 8,100 sq. m, three-hall Exhibition Centre Liverpool building, and explore the range of apprenticeship opportunities available.
Visitors were able to view the very latest visualisations of this major regeneration project, with presentations and project specific literature handed out during the event. With ISG looking to procure a high proportion of the materials and trade packages required to build Exhibition Centre Liverpool from the local area, the Open Day event proved invaluable in generating interest from high quality regional businesses.
ISG’s Jim Parker, managing director – North West, commented: “We have been delighted with the regional response to our supply chain event and met with a large number of high calibre businesses that we now hope to work alongside to help deliver this major Liverpool development. ISG is committed to ensuring a long-lasting regional legacy from this scheme, and we were particularly pleased with the enthusiasm and ambition displayed by our potential supply chain partners in generating a range of apprenticeship and local employment opportunities throughout the duration of the project.”
Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council cabinet member for employment, enterprise and skills, said: “I am very pleased that there has been so much interest from local companies which could result in them becoming involved in a high-profile development, creating much-needed employment opportunities and apprenticeships.”
In its first year of operation, Exhibition Centre Liverpool is expected to host about 50 events and attract more than 250,000 visitors. It is estimated that the exhibition and event programme will support 1,300 jobs in the wider economy and contribute in the region of £40 million per year in economic benefit to the Merseyside area.
Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, which will become home to Exhibition Centre Liverpool, as well as the existing BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, added: “Exhibition Centre Liverpool will bring a wealth of job creation to the city. The supply chain open day provided an important occasion for local businesses to learn more and the response was extremely positive.”
