Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson visits waterfront site of Everton’s new £500m stadium and hails its ‘transformational’ potential. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson says Everton’s new £500m stadium on the city’s waterfront will have a “transformational impact’ on the local economy.
Speaking during a visit to the construction site at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool Waters, the Mayor added: “This is more than just a stadium project. It is a significant regeneration project that will act as a catalyst for further high-quality developments.”
Work is now well advanced on the stadium that will offer a capacity of 52,888 when completed. Everton is hoping to kick off the 2024/25 Premier League season at its new home. However, the club is wary of setting definite dates given how complex stadium projects can be.
Main contractor Laing O’Rourke started work on the arena at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool Waters in summer 2021. In August it was announced that the first terracing units had been installed.
These bespoke, double-stepped terracing units were manufactured in Ireland by Banagher. They were delivered by boat to Liverpool docks, a short distance from the project site.
Accompanied by members of her Cabinet, including Cllr Sarah Doyle , Cllr Tom Logan, Cllr Frazer Lake, and the council’s interim strategic director for city development, Mark Bourgeois, the Mayor was given a VIP tour of the Bramley-Moore Dock site.
They were shown around by Everton chief Executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale and chief Stadium development officer Colin Chong. They visited the South Stand that will become home to nearly 13,000 Evertonians. It offers a view of the entire development and the neighbouring River Mersey.
The group also gained insight into how the skeleton of the stadium is taking shape through steel and concrete structures and the package of public benefits that the stadium will deliver.
It is estimated Everton’s new home will deliver a £1.3n boost to the economy, create tens of thousands of jobs and attract 1.4m new visitors to the city. This is according to research done by global commercial real estate and investment firm CBRE.
Mayor Anderson said: “It has been great to come down and see not only what will become the future home of Everton FC, but an important and exciting part of the city of Liverpool’s future.
“Everton’s stadium is one of the largest developments taking place in the UK. And it is happening in Liverpool with transformational socio-economic opportunities that will be grasped.
“It will boost the economy, create jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses and help breathe new life into one of our most historic communities.”
Denise Barrett-Baxendale added: “We are proud of the continued progress being made on-site and the significant and positive impact we are having on the city’s future.
“Not only are we ensuring Everton and Evertonians will have a new home we can all be proud of but we are also creating new opportunities and building new legacies that will transform North Liverpool.”
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