Building has started on a £66m development on Liverpool's Kings Dock.

The development is set to become the first purpose-built inter-connected arena, convention and exhibition centre in Europe.

Scheduled to open in September 2015, Exhibition Centre Liverpool will more than double the existing exhibition space at ACC Liverpool to 15,225 square metres.

It will link to the Echo Arena and existing convention centre via a pedestrian link bridge, and will create the an ambitious venue for consumer and trade exhibitions, global conferences, concerts and international sporting events. In its first year of operation, it is expected to host about 50 events and attract more than 250,000 visitors.

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Having benefitted from significant public sector support in the past, including approximately £74m from the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) and former English Partnerships, Kings Dock is now a successful destination boasting two hotels, restaurants and residential apartments alongside the Echo Arena and the convention centre.

The new centre is being constructed on land sold by the HCA sold to Liverpool City Council in May 2013.

(CD/JP)