Firm's local jobs pledge as contractor revealed

An artists impression of a proposed new conference centre for Blackpool

Belfast-based McLaughlin and Harvey were selected ahead of other firms to build the new conference and exhibition centre.

The £25m development will increase capacity at the Winter Gardens allowing it to host more than 7,000 delegates.

The company, which has recently completed a similar build at the Belfast Waterfront, was selected following a two stage tender process and will initially complete the pre-construction phase of the project before moving into the construction stage later this year.

Part of the company’s bid was a commitment to creating local jobs, apprenticeships and community benefits.

Today, they vowed to work with local suppliers and sub-contractors.

Christopher Collins, Director of McLaughlin and Harvey, added: “We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver this prestigious project which we believe will bring a significant benefit to Blackpool, both during the construction phase of the works and on completion. McLaughlin and Harvey pride themselves on delivering high quality buildings, which we are certain the new Conference and Exhibition Centre will be. We will be seeking to work with local suppliers and subcontractors on this project to support the local economy.”

Alan Cavill, Director of Place at Blackpool Council, said: “McLaughlin and Harvey have been appointed following a rigorous tender process conducted under the Public Contract Regulations 2015. We are delighted to welcome McLaughlin and Harvey to the project and look forward to delivering this exciting new development in the spring of 2019.

“McLaughlin and Harvey are experienced in building conference and exhibition centres and dealing with the complexities of a listed building.

“We are pleased to be working with them and look forward to the final build helping to bring Blackpool back into the big time for modern conferencing.”

McLaughlin and Harvey have previously completed work on exhibition spaces, public realm projects and in particular listed buildings.

The company will work with the council’s employment projects to help create employment and training opportunities for local people, as well as hiring apprentices via both Blackpool and The Fylde College and Blackpool Build Up.

The development, to be built on the site of the former car park on Leopold Grove, has already been successful in a £2.9m funding bid to the Coastal Communities Fund with further announcements on funding anticipated in the coming weeks, a council spokesman said.