ACC Liverpool, which includes the M&S Bank Arena, Exhibition Centre Liverpool, is closed for major events due to coronavirus and is now used to distribute essentials to vulnerable people. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s waterfront arena and convention centre complex is being used as a logistical distribution hub to ensure food and other essential goods reaches the most vulnerable people in the city.
ACC Liverpool, which includes the M&S Bank Arena, Exhibition Centre Liverpool and the Pullman Hotel would normally be hosting thousands of people at concerts and conferences.
But the coronavirus epidemic has seen all events put on hold for at least the next few weeks, probably longer, and so Liverpool City Council, which owns the complex, is now utilising the space to make sure people across the city don’t go without food and essentials.
Deliveries of PPE equipment have also been received through the venue, going on to be distributed across Liverpool, the wider Merseyside region and Cheshire to NHS trusts and other front line settings.
Bob Prattey, chief executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “As a city-owned venue, we operate within the heart of our local community, and we will always stand ready to support in the health and wellbeing of the residents of Liverpool city region.
“Since the outbreak of coronavirus, we have been working closely with our owners at Liverpool City Council to scenario plan for various ways in which our venues could be used to support with its response and recovery efforts.
“We are pleased to have been able to support its operation to ensure the distribution of vital products and equipment across the local community and city region and we will continue to stand ready to support in any way we are required.”
Pullman Liverpool hotel has been on standby as a social care recovery centre. The facility is unlikely to be activated as capacity in established venues is meeting demand requirements but the hotel stands ready to be used if needed.
Cllr Wendy Simon, deputy mayor of Liverpool, added: “Ahead of lockdown, teams in the city council were looking at ways in which we could support the most vulnerable in the city and we needed a location where not only a newly established volunteer team could be managed and based, but where we could also carry out the logistical side of the operation.
“The ACC Liverpool campus has been the perfect site in terms of its size and location. For more than eight weeks a dedicated city council team, in partnership with Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, has worked around the clock to meet the needs of thousands of people across the city.”