Next stage for Albert Dock

Albert Dock Liverpool is in talks with a developer to bring forward a scheme at Salthouse Dock, delivering revamped public realm and increasing footfall, according to Sue Grindrod, the newly-appointed chief executive of the grade one-listed waterfront landmark.

Grindrod will join Albert Dock, the trading name for Gower Street Estates, at the end of December from her role as head of operations and visitor services at Tate Liverpool. She has been chairman of the Gower Street Estates board in a voluntary capacity since 2006.

Grindrod joins Albert Dock in December

The newly-created role will see Grindrod lead on the next stage of development at Albert Dock, following Arrowcroft’s sale of the leasehold to Aberdeen Asset Management this month for around £45m. Gower Street Estates has retained the freehold.

Speaking to Place North West, Grindrod said that Albert Dock was working with the Canal & River Trust on an updated water space strategy for South Docks, which stretches from Canning Dock in the north to Brunswick Dock in the south.

In 2012, Canal & River Trust published a plan for the area which included a culture zone at Albert and Canning Docks, a floating event space with enhanced public realm at Salthouse Dock, and a leisure and aquatecture zone including floating homes.

Grindrod said: “We are in talks with a developer to bring forward a scheme at Salthouse Dock, and are also talking to the council department. We hope to release more details in the New Year.

“We want more boats and more footfall along the waterfront, along with the creation of more events. A key focus is the development of public areas.

“We are custodians of a grade one-listed estate but we need to move with the times and look at how to improve the estate for the benefit of our visitors.

“We are working with Aberdeen Asset Management on future plans, and through its resources we hope it will add a huge benefit to the area and speed up the plans.”

Albert Dock is working with Liverpool-based K2 Architects and Planit-IE on the scheme. 2016 will also see Albert Dock launch a five-year event plan to deliver a growth in audience.

The complex of docks and waterfronts at Albert Dock attracts more than six million people each year. There are more than 30 offices, including the regional presence of Yodel, Heritage Great Britain, and Hampson Hughes, 20 restaurants, and attractions such as Tate Liverpool, the Beatles Story, Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Mattel Play! Liverpool, and Magical Mystery Tours.