A world-class events and venue operator has put pen to paper on a deal to manage the running of the Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport.
 
ASM Global, part of the Legends International Group, have signed an agreement with Sefton Council to manage the £73 million venue on the resort’s promenade. 

Worldwide
 

When completed, the Marine Lake Events Centre, will join ASM Global’s network of more than 350 venues around the world, which host 20,000 events every year.
 
Sefton Council’s Cabinet agreed earlier this year to finalise the lease agreement, which shows the huge appeal and potential of the Marine Lake Events Centre and accompanying Water & Light Show .
 
With clients spanning five continents, ASM Global operates venues that serve live events for more than 164 million guests annually. They include the ICC Sydney Convention Centre, Avicii Arena in Stockholm, OVO Arena Wembley in London, Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, and State Farm Stadium, among many others.
 
Since the Council identified ASM Global as its preferred operator the group have been acquired by US giants Legends International, one of the world’s leading experts in the sports and entertainment venue sector.
 
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:  “There’s only one word for it – wow!
 
“To attract such a huge name like ASM Global to Sefton shows unequivocally our ambition, determination and passion towards delivering this incredible MLEC project .
 
“It also reflects unwavering industry confidence in the project and a firm belief that it will be a resounding success.
 
“Sefton Council, our partners, the Town Deal Board and ASM Global are all focused on producing a fully flexible, scalable cultural space capable of staging concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, musical theatre, conferences, exhibitions that is the envy of other towns and cities in the UK
 
“ASM Global operate 350 venues across five continents and share in the ambitions of Sefton Council and the Southport Town Deal in making MLEC a soaring success. Our Borough, our town and the council will benefit from the wealth of experience and knowledge its team at can bring.
 
“The MLEC, together with the Light Fantastic, is forecast to attract more than half a million visitors to Southport year on year and generating an annual £18 million for the local economy and I am delighted that Sefton Council is once again leading the way in exciting projects like this.”
 
Chris Bray, President of ASM Global Europe said: “ASM Global is delighted to be entering the next phase of this project in partnership with Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.

"The Marine Lake Events Centre is a unique leisure, events and cultural destination, diverse enough to host everything from live music, theatre shows and conferences and exhibitions, as well as a spectacular new water and light show installation on the lake itself, plus there’s a café and signature restaurant, too – the potential is enormous. It’s a hugely attractive development which is set to drive over half a million visitors to Southport all year around.

"We are pleased to move ahead today towards an exciting future alongside the local Council and their design team, who we will continue to work collaboratively with to develop the best possible venue for Southport.”
 
Nick Russell, Director of IPW, added: “Following our competitive process, ultimately the strong proposals from ASM Global have now been contracted. ASM Global has shown its enthusiasm for this great project, which will see this major regional and national asset put back into to a leading position in the marketplace.

"Throughout the country cities and towns are finding that high quality facilities offering entertainment alongside conference and exhibition events can be a major driver for business and cultural regeneration.
 
Sefton MBC and its national and regional partners have shown tremendous support for the scheme which will bring such a positive impact to the area.”
 
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