Scheme to move Wirral resort New Brighton “up market” THE revamped New Brighton is to be promoted as an “up-market” destination as it nears completion.
The resort is undergoing a massive £60m redevelopment by Liverpool-based Neptune.
And, with less than a year until it is finished, it is also expected construction jobs on the site will increase dramatically in the next few months as the building work enters the next phase.
Neptune’s development director Rob Mason said they were committed to employing as much local labour as possible – and it is expected jobs on the New Brighton development will be advertised within the next few months.Mr Mason said construction on the scheme was progressing well, and in the next 10 weeks more trades will be required , increasing opportunities for local workers.
He said they would be working with Jobcentre Plus, adding: “Both Neptune and Bowmer and Kirkland are committed to using local labour.”
Project manager for Bowmer and Kirkland, John Baines, said: “There will be local labour on site as we increase the number of trades working here.”
So far, much of the work has been highly specialised and relatively few people have been working on the site – but over the next few months the numbers are expected to grow significantly. Currently, Neptune is working with Wirral Metropolitan College offering young people the chance to work on site as part of their courses.
The students, who are all still at secondary school, are taking part in the “Young Apprenticeship in Construction” – a new two-year programme supported by the Construction Skills, Department for Education and Wirral Council.
Wirral Met 14-16 co-ordinator Cheryl Sutton said all the students found having hands-on work experience with Neptune and Bowmer and Kirkland invaluable.
She said: “While working with Neptune and Bower Kirkham, they will put into practice, in a real environment, some of the many skills they have learned.”
In addition, it is expected permanent jobs at the new Morrisons, digital cinema and Travelodge will begin to be advertised in early next year.
But, in the meantime, promotion of the development is moving into a new phase and Mr Mason said: “The objective is to take New Brighton more up-market. Surely, if you’re in West Kirby, for example, it’s as easy to come to New Brighton rather than Cheshire Oaks.”
THE WIRRAL NEWS