MORE than 700 construction staff are currently working day and night to ensure Liverpool’s new waterfront arena is ready for business on January 4.

The workers are only being allowed to take off Christmas Day and Boxing Day to make sure the Echo Arena, Liverpool is ready to host its first 08 Ambassadors event.

It will be formally opened on Saturday, January 12 when it hosts the opening ceremony of the Capital of Culture celebrations – Liverpool The Musical.

The show will feature Ringo Starr, Echo and the Bunnymen, Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra among others, and it forms part of the opening weekend of 08.

The Daily Post can also reveal project costs have risen by another £9m, primarily because of bad weather over the summer and an improved finish.

The total cost of ACC Liverpool – made up of the arena and the BT Convention Centre – now stands at around £164m, £18m more than the original budget.

ACC Liverpool said the additional £9m now needed is being sought from partners.

A Liverpool City Council spokesman said: “An additional £9m has been agreed to ensure the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre meet the quality standards which will put them into the premier league of facilities of their kind.

Š “The original budget for this project was set more than three years ago and it is not unusual for a develop-ment project of this scale and magnitude to exceed initial cost estimates. Increased labour costs, some challeng-ing weather and a desire to ensure the very best finishŠhave all contributed to this.

Š “The partners behind the scheme, including the NWDA, English Partnerships and Liverpool Council, all recog-nise that ACC Liverpool will deliver huge benefits to the people of the city and its economy, not only bringing new visitors to Liverpool but also helping to market the city across the UK and beyond.”

In addition, around £500,000 is being sought from the North West Development Agency to help pay for temporary accommodation for certain conferences already booked which cannot take place in the BT Convention Centre.

Managers have decided to build temporary rooms to house sessions on the arena floor to ensure no convention business was lost due to the delays.

Last night, Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, said: “The naming rights deals we have secured with Trinity Mirror (the Daily Post’s parent company) and BT are testament to the impact which ACC Liverpool is already making in the business and wider city community.

“And I am delighted to announced today that it is currently estimated that the BT Convention Centre alone will deliver in excess of £60m of expenditure into the city during 2008, creating jobs and opportunities for businesses and people across the city region.

“The programme has been challenging but we can cate-gorically state that the Echo Arena will be open in time for our first event on January 4 and, clearly, will be a fantastic venue for the event to mark the opening of Capital of Culture on January 12.

“The BT Convention Centre, as we have already said, will open in phases during the spring, with completion of the final fitting out of the facility some time in April.”

ACC Liverpool is being built by contractor Bovis Lend Lease.

Mr Prattey said: “We are seeking additional support to help with some temporary arrangements to stage some early conferences.

“The slight delay in the final fitting out of the convention centre has resulted in the loss of no business and the additional cost of the temporary arrangements will be more than justified by hundreds of thousands of pounds which these events will inject into the city economy.

“I believe that the people of Merseyside, and the business community, recognise that ACC Liverpool will bring significant and long-term benefits to the city.”

Members of the city’s Regeneration Select Committee enjoyed a tour of the site this week.

Chairman Cllr Eddie Clein said: “There is great anticipation and excitement in the city about the arena and, having had this preview, I can assure people they are certainly not going to be disappointed.

“The whole committee was incredibly impressed by the building – it takes this type of venue to a new level.

“And what makes it so special – as well as it being a top-class venue – are the stunning views you get of the Mersey and the waterfront buildings. No other city can compete with them.

“The arena is going to be the catalyst for much of our regeneration and the whole of the city should be proud.”

Committee member and deputy Labour leader Cllr Paul Brant said: “I am glad to see efforts are being redoubled to make sure the arena opens on time.

“I am concerned about these cost over-runs because we were promised a capped-price contract and the council has significant budget problems next year without having to find extra sums.”

OPINION: PAGE 10

davidbartlett