Nearly finished - ACC Liverpool, ready in plenty of time

Oct 4 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

CONSTRUCTION work on Liverpool’s new £146m Kings Dock arena and convention centre (ACC) is nearing completion, 100 days before it is due to open for business.

Officials said work was on schedule for the first concert at the 10,600-seat arena, the Capital of Culture opening event on January 12 featuring Ringo Starr, former Eurythmic Dave Stewart, Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

The convention centre has 80 events booked, while the Liverpool Echo Arena now has 64.

Among those already announced are X Factor Live, Cbeebies, and the Supercross motorcross spectacular.

Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, said: “Already, more than 140 events are scheduled to be held at ACC Liverpool and things are really gaining momentum.

“Lots of events are already on sale at the arena and we are in talks with some of the world’s biggest promoters to stage others here throughout the year.

“On the convention centre side of things, we have attracted some of the most prestigious organisations in the UK and recently came second in a nationwide survey – despite there still being months to go before opening.”

The convention centre will contain 1,350 seats, a 3,725 sq metre multi-purpose hall, and 18 further meeting rooms. Total exhibition space is in excess of 7,000 sq metres.

ACC Liverpool now employs 64 full time members of staff.

THE line-up for an 80s pop extravaganza at the Liverpool Echo arena has been announced.

Acts for the Here & Now gig on May 14, 2007 will include Rick Astley, Bananarama, ABC, Paul Young and Cutting Crew.

Tickets, priced £34.50 subject to booking fee, go on sale at 9am this Friday.