Exhibition Centre Liverpool Build Boosts Regional Economy by £169 Million

With over half a million man hours now worked at the site of the new Exhibition Centre Liverpool and Pullman Hotel development, ISG has calculated that once completed, the construction process will have contributed around £169 million to the regional economy. In addition to this financial boost, the development looks set to leave a long-lasting skills and training legacy that will further benefit the prosperity of the region for many years to come.

As ISG prepares to hand over Exhibition Centre Liverpool, the contractor has unveiled research that highlights the positive impact that this landmark development has made on the region. By collecting data from across its entire supply chain, ISG has revealed the extent to which specialist regional companies and highly-skilled locally-based site operatives have played a key role in the delivery of this state-of-the art conference and exhibition venue.

Previous research from the UK Contractor’s Group (UKCG) identified a multiplier effect that means every £1 in construction investment produces £2.84 in economic activity – with over 90 per cent of this investment remaining in the local economy. ISG’s data indicates that 76 per cent of the project workforce lives within the North West region, with over half residing in the Liverpool City region. To date, over 2,600 individuals have worked across the site since the project commenced in early 2014.

Creating a positive community legacy is a key objective with every ISG project and the company has made a significant investment in both time and resources to inspire and support the next generation of construction professionals, as well as backing a number of important regional community initiatives.

Increasing the number of skilled apprenticeship opportunities has been an important driver on the project and since commencement, 26 apprentices have gone through ISG’s site turnstiles - all working towards industry qualifications and accreditations. A total of 58 NVQ’s have currently been achieved by the Exhibition Centre Liverpool and Pullman Hotel workforce. Work placements for local people have also been arranged, providing skills and training opportunities on site.

ISG also launched an innovative Social Investment Group last year with a number of project partners, including Liverpool City Council. The aim was to help create new training and employment opportunities in Liverpool, leveraging wider social value from commercial investment with the backing of key regional partners.

ISG staff and supply chain partners have worked with local charity Housing People Building Communities on the construction of 32 low cost homes in the Granby-Toxteth area of the city. ISG also hosted seven tours of the Exhibition Centre Liverpool site earlier this year for the national Open Doors Weekend initiative, where students and young people got the rare opportunity to see behind the hoardings and witness how the 21st century construction industry creates the modern built environment.

Danny Murray, ISG’s Northern regional managing director, commented: “The construction industry is a key driver of regional economic prosperity but we also have a shared responsibility to create a diverse and highly skilled workforce to move the sector forwards. Major projects, through their scale and programme duration, provide an excellent opportunity to define and implement a vision for real community legacy, and it’s testament to the ambition and commitment of the project stakeholders at Exhibition Centre Liverpool that so much has been achieved to directly benefit the region.”

Key statistics

• The Exhibition Centre Liverpool and Pullman Hotel development will contribute £169 million to regional economy during construction
• 256 jobs created during the construction phase
• 76 per cent of the project workforce lives within the North West region
• 26 apprentices have been employed and 58 NVQ’s achieved

Nick Hann; Tel: 07970 275251; Email: nick.hann@isgplc.com

ISG Plc is an international construction services company delivering Fit Out, Construction, Engineering Services and Specialist Solutions, operating in 28 countries worldwide. The company works with owners, developers and occupiers in the public and private sector for an extensive range of industries. ISG Plc was established in 1989 and has been quoted on AIM since 1998. Today the company has a turnover of around £1.5 billion.

For further information about ISG please visit our website www.isgplc.com