Tesco offers first contract options to local businesses in Everton stadium scheme

May 6 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

TESCO is to provide a meet-the-buyer event to give Kirkby firms the first option on contracts should their contentious plans for a super-store and new Everton stadium win approval.

David Dodd, a Kirkby businessman, is heading up Kirkby Small Business Forum to capitalise on Everton FC and Tesco’s plans and believes hundreds, even thousands, of jobs could be created in the local labour market.

After canvassing opinion on Kirkby Industrial Estate, he has compiled the signatures of doz-ens of companies that will ten-der for contracts from every-thing from skip hire to con-struction if the £400m scheme gets the go-ahead.

Each firm in turn has vowed to take on local workers mean-ing an employment boom that could reach into the thousands.

Mr Dodd, from Cherryfield Crescent, one of the areas that will be most significantly affected by the stadium build, is behind much of the work that has yielded a potential local job rush.

He said: “When I saw in the local press that (Tesco spokes-man) Michael Kissman was talking about tackling long-term unemployment, I phoned him and told him I applauded his commitment.But I said if he is serious about doing this then go to the local businesses and offer contracts.

“He said he was interested and asked me to go and do it. I told him I would if he could guarantee the offer – I’m not wasting my time here.”

Mr Kissman said: “We’ve also been in discussion with Knowsley Council to find ways of ensuring every local firm that has something to offer has the opportunity to pitch to the contractors. We would be happy to use them.”

Businesses that stand to gain include World Security, Tele-graph Way, Abbey Engineering, Kirkby Bank Road, and North Mersey Tipper Hire, Lees Road. They would create between 20 and 200 jobs each at a conserv-ative estimate.

Scores more have said they are crying out for business and would relish the opportunity to take on contracts as the build-ing work goes on.

Mr Dodd is eager to make sure this enthusiasm results in on-the-job, paid training and long-term employment for people in the town.

He said: “I run Oakfield Project in Anfield, which helps train up disaffected youth and so this is something I know about. But at lunchtime in Liverpool, you see all these workers and not a Scouse accent among them. It’s been a missed opportunity.”

The business support comes after the electorate returned Kirkby’s Labour councillors who have supported the bid – although in some cases their win was by the slimmest of margins from the three Ist4Kirkby can-didates who campaigned against the Everton and Tesco plans.

Labour newcomer Cllr Ros Smith said it was a victory for those backing the regeneration of the town.

However, this week’s good news for Destination Kirkby comes after a series of setbacks.

Last week, it was revealed that the Commission for Architec-ture and the Built Environment (Cabe) had issued a scathing attack on the plans.

The Government’s key archi-tectural advisor said Tesco’s scheme would “have a detrimen-tal impact and not be of a standard Kirkby deserves”.

Cabe strongly criticised the overall design of the £400m masterplan and said it should be refused planning permission.

This could force both Everton and Tesco into a major revalu-ation of their plans which, it is understood, will be the subject of a special Knowsley Council meeting before the end of May.

This body blow to the scheme came hot on the heels of confirmation that Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities, was likely to “call in” the plans, if approved by planners, so a public inquiry could be held.

Opposition to the scheme has also been voiced by Sefton Council and the 1st4Kirkby party has vowed to fight on.

RICHARD DOWN