Member Article

Albert Dock Opens IFB Welcome Centre

Albert Dock Liverpool has opened a new pop-up Welcome Centre to showcase the Dock’s many attractions, restaurants, bars, shops and cafes to the thousands of national and international delegates who will converge on the city for the International Festival for Business (IFB 2014).

Following a five figure investment from the Albert Dock Estate, the Albert Dock Welcome Centre, which is officially supporting IFB 2014, is located at the main Albert Dock gate on The Strand, and has a team from Liverpool’s Tourist Information Centres as well as IFB 2014 volunteers, to provide delegates and tourists with essential information about the city. The Dock’s Rubens Coffee Shop also provides coffees, teas and pastries, with a seated lounge area ideal for guests to relax and unwind.

The centre, designed and built by Liverpool-based brand and digital communications agency, Bolland & Lowe, will remain open throughout the summer, which is shaping up to be a very exciting period for Albert Dock. During 2014, the Dock will be alive with events including Tate Liverpool’s new summer exhibition, Mondrian and his Studios, Armed Forces Day on June 28, and the return of the Red Bull Harbour Reach on August 30.

The Dock was also at the heart of the International Mersey River Festival and Music on the Waterfront event last weekend, and has a co-commission by Liverpool Biennial, Tate Liverpool and 1418 Now Centenary Art Commissions. Merseyside Maritime Museum’s historic pilot ship, Edmund Gardner, has been “dazzled” by artist Carlos Cruz-Diez, and was launched on June 12. And as the summer holidays begin the Dock will play a key role in the return of the Giants to the city.

Sue Grindrod, chair of Albert Dock Estate, said:

“Our ambition was to create a front of house hub that would not only support the Albert Dock businesses, but also provide a vital point of information and welcome for Albert Dock and our city partners during IFB 2014 and the summer. IFB 2014 is such an amazing opportunity for Liverpool to shine on a global stage, and our investment demonstrates the Dock’s commitment in helping to make this happen.”

Peter Cronin, director of development and marketing for Albert Dock Liverpool, added:

“We would like to thank IFB 2014, the TIC and the Albert Dock tenants for their support in the centre’s creation, and we look forward to greeting the many visitors to the Dock and to Liverpool during this very exciting year.”

Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, said:

“With so much going on in Liverpool this summer, it’s crucial that visitors have as many sources of information as possible. As well as ensuring our digital channels are informative and easy to use, a physical presence is very important. This Welcome Centre is exactly what is needed at the entrance to one of Liverpool’s most enduring attractions, which will be on many visitors’ itineraries this summer.”

The Albert Dock Welcome Centre supporting IFB 2014, which is perfectly located close to the IFB hub on Mann Island, Liverpool ONE and the ACC, also includes space for the Dock tenants to display exhibitions, offers and retail samples, while the full centre is available to hire for seminars and meetings during IFB 2014.

Located on the city’s iconic World Heritage waterfront, Albert Dock Liverpool is architecturally stunning - with the largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK. It boasts world-class attractions such as Tate Liverpool, the Beatles Story and Merseyside Maritime Museum, plus a wealth of popular restaurants and vibrant bars, such as Gusto, What’s Cooking?, PanAm, Blue Bar & Grill, Circo, and Spice Lounge. During 2013, the Dock celebrated 25 years since it reopened, and also witnessed the arrival of The Smugglers Cove restaurant and bar, Docklands Fish & Chips, Rubens coffee shop and the new Magical Mystery Tours booking office in Anchor Courtyard.

For more information on Albert Dock Liverpool, and all upcoming events, visit www.albertdock.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Richards .