Peel scraps EventCity relocation

11 September 2020 09:14 Sarah Townsend Comments (0)

The 300,000 sq ft conference and events centre in Trafford owned by the Peel Group will close by next March and plans to reopen the facility in a different location have been canned.

Trafford Council approved developer Peel L&P’s plans to relocate EventCity to the Soccer Dome next to the Trafford City in February, paving the way for the events venue to move to a 240,000 sq ft building and vacate its site to make way for the £250m Therme Manchester leisure resort.

Under a separate application approved in March, operator Therme Group is to build a 700,000 sq ft wellbeing resort on the site of EventCity and expects to start construction work next year.

EventCity, the conference and exhibition centre located on a 28-acre site to the south-east of Barton Square, was expected to remain operational at Trafford Park until its move to the Soccer Dome site.

However, the facility has been closed to events since the onset of Covid-19 and the impact of the pandemic on the events industry has prompted Peel to permanently close the venue once contracted events have been staged in the coming months.

A spokesperson for Peel L&P’s parent, the Peel Group, said: “EventCity’s business strategy throughout the Covid-19 crisis has been focussed on the health, safety and the wellbeing of our people, while protecting as many jobs as possible during this exceptionally challenging period.

“In recent weeks, it has become increasingly clear that the depth of the economic contraction, particularly in the events and hospitality sectors, is far more extreme than anyone could have envisaged.

“Regrettably, we have had to take the decision to close EventCity by 31 March 2021 and withdraw our plans for a new facility, which were approved by Trafford Council in February of this year.”

The statement added: “Our immediate priority is to ensure the events we have contracted will go ahead until 31 March 2021. The team has been working hard to follow Government guidelines ensuring our reopening plans adhere to strict protocols set out by a variety of standards and leading industry bodies.

“A reduced team will operate the events until closure takes place and we will be working with colleagues to support them through this period.

“The economic uncertainties should in no way undermine the extraordinary commitment and loyalty our colleagues have shown during these most testing times.”

Meanwhile, the tropical-themed, warm water Therme Manchester resort is due to open in early 2023 and is being developed by Therme in partnership with Peel L&P.

Therme is advised by WSP | Indigo, and Exterior Architects.