Designers sought for Liverpool’s new multi-million pound cruise terminal

Liverpool City Council is on the hunt for architects to design a new multi-million pound cruise terminal on the city’s historic waterfront.

The authority has launched a Europe-wide search for a highly skilled technical team to advise on the design and development of the facility, which will be located at the former Princes Jetty.

An Official Journal of the European Communities notice has been placed to invite tenders for a project that includes managing the site’s overall potential delivery and construction.

The deadline for submissions is January 23 2017.

The advert forms part of the council’s strategy to explore replacing the current Pier Head facility, which has been operational since September 2007.

Set to be even bigger, the new terminal would be situated 300m downriver and be able to handle cruises with as many as 3,600 passengers.

It is envisaged that a two-storey centre would be built on reclaimed land alongside the river, in addition to a new quay wall and changes to the nearby Princes Parade allowing coaches to collect and drop off passengers.

If given the go ahead, the site would encompass a passenger and baggage terminal, passport control area and lounge along with a café, taxi rank and car park.

The move comes after the number of vessels visiting Liverpool doubled over the last four years, rising from 31 to 63. Likewise, passenger numbers are up from 38,656 in 2012 to nearly 79,000 plus 35,000 crew in 2016.

Estimates place the value of visitors’ on-shore spending at around £7m for the local economy.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “Liverpool’s cruise industry has blossomed over the past decade helping to transform the tourism appeal of Liverpool and give the Mersey a new lease of life.

’‘It has been one of the city’s great success stories but we’re now at the stage where we need to relocate if we are to welcome the next generation of super liners.“

He continued: “This tendering process for a design technical team is a vital step in exploring how we achieve that move and if we can, we do it to the highest standards.

“In terms of jobs and economic impact a new cruise facility would be a huge boost and the support we’ve received from the industry to the idea is hugely encouraging for its long term future.’’