Sefton Council has announced international construction firm VINCI Building as the preferred contractor for the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) in Southport.

Ambitious

As part of a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA), VINCI Building will be working closely with the Council’s project team over the coming months to progress the incredibly ambitious waterfront development.

The contractor will now partner with the Sefton Council’s delivery team to finalise plans and ensure that main construction works begin on site later in 2026, once a main contract is signed.

Work starting in February

In the meantime, residents and visitors to the town will see major civil engineering works starting in February.

Work on site will continue with another specialist contractor building a new access ramp from the Upper Promenade down to the Events Centre site. This new ramp is a critical piece of infrastructure that will provide safe and easy access for essential heavy machinery and building materials for the scheme’s main building phase.

In recent months, considerable early works have already been completed. The have included reduced-level excavations, extensive sheet piling along the lakefront and the construction of new retaining walls.

Cultural artefacts preserved

 Safe and considerate demolition of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre preceded these works, with vital historical and cultural artefacts being preserved in the process.

 Together these enabling works have left the ground for the Marine Lake Events Centre’s main build in a perfect position to proceed on schedule.

Sefton Council already has a strong working relationship with VINCI Building, which is currently leading the first phase of the Council’s flagship Bootle Strand regeneration project

This prior experience gives the Council and stakeholders added confidence in VINCI Building’s ability to deliver the MLEC scheme, which is one of the most significant and complex regeneration projects in the region.

Vision and commitment

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We are pleased to welcome VINCI Building as the preferred contractor for MLEC.

“Having already collaborated with VINCI Building in the pre-construction phase, we know they share our vision and commitment to deliver this complex and ambitious scheme successfully.

“The brand new venue will create new jobs, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, and provide a world-class events venue for our borough and the Liverpool City Region. We remain fully committed to seeing this project through and securing the long-term economic and cultural benefits it will bring for all of us.”

Flagship development

Gary Hughes, Regional Director for VINCI Building said: “This is an incredibly exciting project for VINCI Building, and we are delighted to be appointed as preferred contractor. It gives our delivery team great opportunities to collaborate even more closely with local businesses and the Sefton community in delivering this flagship development.

“The benefits for the whole area will be substantial, both throughout the construction and long after completion, as we help drive forward Sefton Council’s vision of attracting major events to Southport.”

Town Deal

The Marine Lake Events Centre is the flagship project of Southport’s Town Deal and a cornerstone of the borough’s regeneration plans. It will be a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose venue for entertainment, conferences and events, replacing the old Southport Theatre with a modern 1,200-seat auditorium and exhibition space.

 Once complete, the MLEC is expected to attract over half a million visitors each year and boost the local economy by more than £19 million annually.

You can find out more  about the MLEC scheme here.