Building starts on £6m centre

Oct 3 2007 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

BUILDER Rok has started work on the £6m South Sefton Investment Centre, in Stanley Road, Bootle.

The publicly-funded venture will offer local businesses office accommodation, combined with on-site support from leading business experts.

An official ceremony marking its launch has been held and was attended by various key stakeholder groups.

At five storeys high, the 32,000sq ft facility is set to have a dramatic visual impact upon the northern entrance to the town centre and will feature a transparent façade and a new colonnaded walkway.

The building will be managed by South Sefton Development Trust on behalf of Sefton Council and is being funded by the European Objective 1 programme, the council and the North West Development Agency. Income generated through the centre will be used to support regeneration initiatives throughout the area.

The centre will be developed using a range of green technologies, including the use of geothermal energy, providing a natural ventilation system to provide air conditioning.

Set for completion next summer, it includes a public café while a central core, resembling the funnel of a ship, will create a focal point.

Martin Ormston, Rok area leader, said: “This is a vital project for Bootle that will bring numerous long-term sustainable benefits for businesses and communities.

“Positioned at the gateway to the town centre, South Sefton Investment Centre is set to become a landmark facility.”

tonymcdonough