Sefton Council has appointed Graham as preferred bidder to oversee the delivery of the £75m Marine Lake Events Centre project in Southport.

The firm replaces Kier, which parted ways with the council in December 2023 after several months on early enabling works.

A pre-construction services agreement is now in place between Graham and Sefton Council, with the project team working towards a full contract in the coming months to begin construction later this year.

The 103,000 sq ft Marine Lake Events Centre complex is the flagship project of the council’s £37m Town Deal.

It will feature a 1,200-seat theatre, and 2,400-capacity conference and exhibition space, expected to attract 288,000 visitors a year.

The project also includes offices, production facilities, as well as a cafe and restaurant.

It will be built on the site of the existing Southport Theatre and Convention Centre just demolished by contractor DSM.

Sheet piling works will commence shortly.