Echo Arena Liverpool officially opened 12th January 2008
_tcm81-112595.jpg "Artists impression of the Liverpool Echo Arena & Convention Centre")
The eagerly anticipated Echo Arena Liverpool opened on 12th January 2008.
Echo Arena Liverpool is the city's state of the art 10,000 plus seater arena: a versatile space that is the perfect venue for concerts, comedy, family entertainment and sport. It sits on the edge of King's Dock, overlooking the Albert Dock complex and the River Mersey.
Bovis Land Lease completed the external work for the Arena on 3rd Januar, while the official opening took place on 12th January 2008 with a star studded concert that formed one of the first major events for Liverpool's Capital of Culture year. "Liverpool The Musical - the Greatest Story Ever Told" saw the history of the city brought to life with what was promised to be the most unusual line-up ever to set foot on the same stage. Ringo Starr, Dave Stewart, Echo and the Bunnymen, Pete Wylie, Ian Broudie, Shack and the Christians all took part. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra also played, stacked up on vertical scaffolding with conductor Vasily Petrenko on a scissor lift. Echo and the Bunnymen, Pete Wylie, Shack, former Eurythmic Dave Stewart, Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seedsand The Christians were among others taking part.
Following the opening event, a further 64 events have already been booked for the arena. Among those already announced are X Factor Live, Cbeebies, and the Supercross motorcross spectacular. Acts for the Here & Now gig on May 14, 2008 will include Rick Astley, Bananarama, ABC, Paul Young and Cutting Crew.
The BT Convention Centre will be completed in the first quarter of 2008, and also has 80 events booked.
Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, said in October 2007:
"Already, more than 140 events are scheduled to be held at ACC Liverpool and things are really gaining momentum.
"Lots of events are already on sale at the arena and we are in talks with some of the world's biggest promoters to stage others here throughout the year.
"On the convention centre side of things, we have attracted some of the most prestigious organisations in the UK and recently came second in a nationwide survey - despite there still being months to go before opening."
The convention centre will contain 1,350 seats, a 3,725 sq metre multi-purpose hall, and 18 further meeting rooms. Total exhibition space is in excess of 7,000 sq metres.
ACC Liverpool now employs 64 full time members of staff.
Find out more about the Echo Arena Liverpool at www.accliverpool.com (will open a new window)