While players and fans are enjoying the off-season in football, there is no rest for Liverpool City Council’s Building Control officers. Over the past year, the team has remained busy with the construction of the Anfield and Bramley Moore Dock stadiums. With an investment of several hundred million pounds, these world-class venues have been a significant focus and responsibility for the officers.
Aside from overseeing the projects, the team has also been carrying out performance checks and annual inspections at both stadiums throughout the season. They have also assessed the Event Management Plans for the upcoming concerts at Anfield, including Taylor Swift and Pink. The officers have been working diligently to ensure safety is a top priority at these events.
Liverpool Football Club’s cooperation has been instrumental throughout the process, assisting during the construction of the extended Grandstand. An interim Ground Safety Certificate is currently in place, with the hope of having a full one by September, alongside a Building Regulation completion certificate. Once complete, Anfield will have a capacity of over 60,000, providing Liverpool with another world-class venue.
At Everton’s new stadium, the Building Control officers have been working closely with the club’s contractors to ensure the building complies with regulations. They are also engaging with key stakeholders during the development of operations plans. The stadium is due for completion before the end of 2024 with plans for Everton to play their first competitive fixture at their new home in 2025. Liverpool City Council’s Building Control team is also waiting for the Department of Media, Culture and Sport to designate the new ground.
Before the start of the 2024/25 season, the team will undertake an annual inspection at both stadiums. The inspection will look at the operation plans, stadium structure, and fire safety procedures. Successful inspections allow for the issuance of next season’s Ground Safety Certificate. During the season, the officers will carry out six inspections at both Goodison and Anfield, with one inspection including the Counter Terrorism Police in the space known as Zone Ex.
The team’s hard work has been externally audited by Central Government’s Sports Ground Safety Authority. Their processes, policies, and inspection regime have achieved a 100% score, making them an exemplar for other local authority teams to follow. There is certainly no off-season for the Building Control officers, who work tirelessly to ensure fans can enjoy events safely at both stadiums
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