Highlights

- Marine Lake Events Centre opening date expected for early 2029

- Venue to create 386 jobs and welcome 600,000 extra visitors annually

- Construction costs have increased due to external factors 

- Venue's offer and quality remain unchanged despite cost increases

Full Story

Sefton Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the brand new Marine Lake Events Centre, with an expected opening date set for early 2029.

While costs for the landmark scheme have increased outside of the Local Authority’s control, hard work has continued to ensure the state of the art events centre remains the star of the show.

The venue will create 386 new jobs, attract more than 600,000 new visitors each year, and add more than £30m per annum to the local economy.

Pressures Addressed

Despite inflation pressures across the UK’s construction sector and wider economy, Sefton Council says extensive work has been carried out to manage costs surrounding the scheme without reducing the quality of its promised offer or the scale of its economic impact.

Moreover, the updated business plan reflects increased expectations in terms of venue income, visitor numbers, job creation, and impact on the economy of Southport, Sefton and the wider Liverpool City Region.

An updated Marine Lake Events Centre business case is being presented to Sefton Council’s Cabinet on Thursday June 25th, with members expected to note the latest financial position, with a total development cost of £106m, while still recognising the importance of still delivering the project as it was first promised to residents.

Job Creation

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “The Marine Lake Events Centre will play a major role in driving economic growth, attracting visitors and supporting jobs for years to come not only in Southport but across the Liverpool City Region.

“Of course we are disappointed that the project won’t be delivered for the initial costs targeted at the time of the Town Deal bid submission in 2020,but this is due to wider economic factors outside our control.

“Both public and private sector projects across the UK have seen costs increasing in some key construction categories by up to 60% since 2020.

“What we can control is the preservation of quality and impact of the project and we are doing just that.

“We could not consider sacrificing our ambition for Southport, for Sefton and for the region, and must find the funding to deliver on this ambition.

“That does not mean however that we have rolled over and accepted these new costings without challenge.

"Extensive work has been carried out to manage this increase while improving longer term commercial outcomes and preserving the quality and impact of the scheme. We have always been focused on robust commercial management and securing best value for public money.

“This includes identifying £12million of savings.”

Cllr Atkinson added: “The appointed venue manager and operator, Legends Global remains highly confident that the venue, when open will deliver significant community, economic and cultural benefits”

A spokesperson for Legends Global said: "We continue to work closely with our partners to bring the Marine Lake Events Centre to life.

“We're confident in the future economic benefits of the events centre for both Southport and the Liverpool City Region, and in the many opportunities and fantastic content it will generate."

Subject to Cabinet approvals and the conclusion of ongoing funding discussions, Sefton expects to enter into the main construction contract later this summer.

The project is still expected to follow a two-year build programme, with operator fit-out to follow, leading to an anticipated opening in the first half of 2029.