On the eve of the formal public consultation for Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, high-ranking figures from Liverpool business and commercial sectors have hailed the economic impact that the project will potentially have on the city region.
The Blues, who hope to leave Goodison Park, their home since 1892, to relocate to a new riverside site on the Mersey waterfront by 2022, are planning to both regenerate the area they're moving into while leaving a lasting legacy for the community around the site of their present ground.
Garry Fortune, Deputy Chairman of Liverpool Hoteliers Association; General Manager: Malmaison
“I think the stadium coming will attract massive more numbers of people to the city which is going to benefit us all really.
“Obviously Malmaison being pretty local to the stadium I'm hoping that it will benefit us hugely.
“But I think from a city perspective, I think people are obviously going to come to watch Everton but because it's a brand new stadium I think it's estimated that one-and-a-half million extra visitors are going to come to the city which is going to boost occupancy, all the food and beverage outlets, it's going to be phenomenal.
“Especially down on the waterfront here, we don't get as much passing trade as we would like to.
“I can see the little walkway past the hotel being exceptionally busy everyday.
“I think the stadium being such an iconic, kind of beautiful thing to look at on the waterfront as well is going to be superb for any other event that comes to the city.
“We work very closely with the ACC (Arena and Convention Centre) and we know how much they bring to us now so I think anything that can attract for other events like concerts is going to amazing so the sooner the better for us.”
Donna Howitt, Market & Communications: Director Liverpool ONE
“I think that the stadium will be a spectacular addition to the city's already famous waterfront and I think that the boost to visitor numbers and the tourism economy can only be good.
“We see here at Liverpool ONE, it's vibrant, a bustling part of the city centre and it goes to show that investment attracts people.
“It magnetises people into the city centre so it would be a fantastic addition to an already strong economy and we look forward to seeing new visitor numbers to that boost to their tourism economy.”
Iain Jenkinson, Head of National Planning: CBRE (commercial real estate services and investment firm)
“The stadium will positively benefit the city in many ways, it's very much a stadium project for the city of Liverpool, for the people of Liverpool.
“It's a number of projects: It's the relocation of the stadium; an expanded stadium down to an area of north Liverpool that hasn't yet to date witnessed significant regeneration of any scale.
“It will deliver further accelerated regeneration in and around that area by virtue of the club making the decision that they've made, which is to relocate to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Everton stadium architect Dan Meis
“There's also the fact that it's Goodison, the redevelopment of Goodison as well. There's a legacy project that is emerging there that is actually not just selling housing to the usual suspects but actually about housing, health and education – much more multi-dimensional as a project in its own right.
“And the nature of the club is that most of these benefits will be felt locally. The fans tend to come from a local catchment, the people who work at Everton tend to come from a local catchment, the supply chain policies that the club has will ensure that the benefits are felt locally.”
Ellen Cutler, Director of Investment: Liverpool Vision
“The stadium is going to incredibly benefit the city in itself.
“It's going to be an amazing for us to kick-start a regeneration opportunity in the north part of the city.
“It's going to complement all the work that's happening around the '10 streets' development project and it's going to enhance everything that we're doing to try and attract investment to the city and the city region.”
Neil Sturmey, Partner: Grant Thornton UK LLP
“For me the big thing is the impact that stadium will have in the north Liverpool area and the wider city region.
“The supply chain, the construction contract is great in itself. That will bring more people to the area to spend money, to use the accommodation, the shops etc.
“But for me it's the visibility of a new asset like that for the city region, it goes well beyond the club itself.
“The other thing is that the city region needs step change, assets like this.
“I remember when the arena first opened, that was a similar step change and just look at the impact that's had on the local economy as well.
Bramley-Moore Stadium
“I think I'm right in saying there could be a billion pounds GVA (gross value added – a measure of the value of goods and services produced in an area) with the economic impact of the stadium in the city region.
“That is something we're all looking for in the current climate. It's a competitive world and things like the Everton stadium will really make a statement as to what the city region is about and not just Everton, the club itself, stands for.
“I enjoy that bit and I'm looking forward to taking up my season ticket in the new stadium but actually it's much more than that.
“I've a pride in the city region and I'm proud to be an Evertonian and I think if we can get both together with this new stadium delivered, I'm really looking forward to it.”
