ACC Liverpool events to ‘proceed as planned’ following shock car park blaze

The ACC Liverpool Group has confirmed that its events programme will go ahead as planned, despite a recent blaze gutting its multi-storey car park.

A fire broke out in the campus’ Liverpool Waterfront Car Park on New Year’s Eve, destroying the 1,305 vehicles that were in the facility at the time.

The chief executive of ACC Liverpool, Bob Prattey, said: “We can confirm that our future events will be able to proceed as planned following the serious fire which was contained in the Liverpool Waterfront Car Park on New Year’s Eve.

“We will continue to communicate with all our clients who are organising forthcoming conferences, exhibitions and entertainment events as well as customers and delegates. We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding while we work through these plans.”

He added: “The Liverpool Waterfront Car Park is closed until further notice and so as part of our contingency plans we are looking at alternative parking arrangements for forthcoming events.”

On the evening of the fire, the final performance of the three-day Liverpool International Horse Show was due to take place but had to be cancelled.

Speaking further, Mr Prattey said: “We are extremely thankful to the emergency services for their efforts.

“We would also like to thank the people who kindly provided transport for customers to enable them to travel home, as well as Liverpool City Council for establishing a relief centre for those needing shelter.”

ACC Liverpool is composed of the Echo Arena, BT Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Pullman Liverpool hotel and ticketing business TicketQuarter.

Last month, new figures shed light on the group’s 10-figure impact on the Liverpool economy since its inception 10 years ago.