Sir Michael Bibby, chairman of one of Liverpool’s oldest businesses, offers to create floating car park at Everton FC’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Tony McDonough reports
A floating car park could be created next to Everton FC’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Construction on the 52,888-capacity arena in Liverpool Waters is well under way. Everton is aiming to move out of its current home at Goodison Park and into the new stadium in time for the kick-off of the 2024-25 football season.
Located in the city’s northern docklands, the site is not currently well served by public transport and is around a half-hour walk from the city centre. Providing enough parking on matchdays will also be a challenge.
Now one of Liverpool’s most high-profile business figures is stepping forward with a possible solution – a floating car park in Nelson Dock which is next to Bramley-Moore.
In March, Sir Michael Bibby, chairman of Bibby Line Group (BLG), accepted an invitation from Everton to visit the stadium site. At more than 200 years old, BLG is one of the city’s oldest businesses.
Its Bibby Marine division specialises in providing offshore platforms. They are typically used to provide accommodation for workers in the oil, gas and offshore wind sector. But Sir Michael believes one could be adapted to become a floating car park.
Speaking at an industry event organised by Mersey Maritime, Sir Michael said: “I visited the new Everton stadium site at Bramley-Moore Dock and I noted the lack of transport connections to the location.
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“I think there is a great opportunity there for a floating car park that could be located next door in Nelson Dock. I have got an idea for a design for this and I have suggested they take a look at it.”
Last week Everton announced its new stadium, currently under construction at Bramley-Moore Dock, was being lined up as one of the venues for the UEFA EURO 2028 football championship.
Along with the city of Liverpool, the club as a partner in the joint UK and Ireland bid to hold the tournament in five years’ time. There are 10 stadiums in the two countries included in the bid.
They are Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, City of Manchester Stadium, St James’ Park, Villa Park, National Stadium of Wales, Hampden Park, Dublin Arena and Casement Park in Belfast.