ACC Liverpool is heralding the start of the year with the announcement of a series of new service partner contracts.
Following an in-depth tender process, the venue has confirmed five separate deals, each up to seven years, after existing partners came to the end of their initial five year agreements. The contracts extend across BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena and the forthcoming Exhibition Centre Liverpool, opening next year.
Retained partners are ISS Facility Services UK for cleaning and waste management and Freeman who will be continuing to supply exhibition services. Newly appointed partners are OCS for security and stewarding; Cofely for facilities management and National Merchandise for merchandising.
ACC Liverpool had already struck a seven year deal in November with global hospitality service provider Centerplate for all on-site public and hospitality catering services. Catering had been managed by The Lindley Group’s Heathcotes Outside division since the venue opened its doors to the public in 2008. ACC Liverpool selected Centerplate, who acquired The Lindley Group in April 2013, as its catering and hospitality partner after putting the business out to competitive tender.
Gerald Andrews, ACC Liverpool’s director of finance, said: “Last year we undertook a rigorous competitive tender process for all our service partners as the initial contracts, put in place when we opened in 2008, were drawing to an end. It was a substantial exercise and we are delighted with the outcome.
“We now look forward to working with both the old and new service partners who will accompany us on the next exciting phase of our journey which will see the development of our new exhibition centre as well as a concerted effort to further raise the bar on customer service delivery.”
The news follows the announcement last month that ACC Liverpool achieved its highest annual turnover since opening in 2008, delivering a turnover of £14.7m.
2014 conference highlights include the return of BBC Worldwide Showcase, NHS Confederation, The Royal College of Nursing and Cancer Research UK. Echo Arena is set to host artists including Gary Barlow, Dolly Parton and John Bishop.
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