City is looking to create a turnaround facility which includes the controlled removal of Princes Jetty and construction of a new terminal within a statement building. Tony McDonough reports
People in Liverpool will have the opportunity to find out more about proposals for a new permanent cruise terminal facility during a two-day consultation.
Liverpool City Council is looking to create a new £50m facility which includes the controlled removal of Princes Jetty and construction of a new terminal within a statement building, on a new suspended deck structure in the Mersey.
Residents and business are invited to view and discuss the proposals with the project team on Wednesday and Thursday, September 20 and 21, within the arrival hall at the Cunard Building, Water Street, between 2pm and 7pm.
Growing trade
This year Liverpool welcomed more than 60 vessels, with 120,000 passengers and crew and the city believes there is huge potential to grow this trade with a new facility.
It wants to create a new passenger and baggage facility complete with passport control, lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank and vehicle pick up point.
The current terminal generates more than £7m a year for the city’s economy.
Top team
Engineering consultancy firm Ramboll has been appointed to lead a technical team to develop the facility with a planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.
The multi-disciplinary design team, includes architects Stride Treglown, cost managers Gardiner & Theobald, global planning and property consultants JLL, and landscape architects Hyland Edgar Driver.
Tender documents for procurement of a main contractor on a two-stage contract award basis is expected to be issued in later part of October 2017. In the meantime, tenders have been invited for progressing the site investigation works.
Subject to planning and funding approval the construction works are expected to start in summer 2018.
Further planning applications could potentially include a new 200-room hotel and 1,700+ multi-storey car park.
World class
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “A new cruise facility is vital if we want to continue to grow Liverpool’s tourism economy.
“We want to welcome the next generation of super liners and passengers to the Mersey and provide a world class welcome and a five star experience.”