Following the announcement on 20 September that EventCity had submitted plans to relocate to a new site in TraffordCity, the venue has told Access‘ sister title Conference News that it is confident its planning application will be accepted.

Responding to what would happen if the application were to be rejected, a spokesperson for the Manchester venue said: “We’ve submitted plans that we are confident meet all of the planning guidelines, but there is contingency planning and we’re committed to delivering a new, totally bespoke events venue of circa 24,000sqm capable of handling trade and consumer exhibitions, conferences and gala dinners. Whatever happens in terms of planning, we’re committed to investing in the new EventCity.”

It is not uncommon for a planning application process to take longer than expected, yet EventCity remains confident the new venue be ready by the planned date of September 2020, and that any bookings already confirmed will be delivered. The spokesperson added: “We are advised that as the plans relate to an existing building [Soccerdome] and we have already consulted extensively. The response will be given by the end of the year or very early in 2020. We’re committed to delivering the venue on time so that our commitments to clients will be met.”

The £20m project will be funded by EventCity parent company Peel L&P, an infrastructure, transport and real estate investment group, which developed most of what is now the TraffordCity area. Peel L&P are delivering the landlord works with EventCity undertaking the required fit out, relinquishing its lease for fort lauderdale waterfront homes for sale of the existing site in favour of an extended lease of 25 years at the new site.