Laing O’Rourke’s Acorn consortium was officially confirmed as preferred bidder in February for the PFI scheme. At that time it was announced that construction would start in July 2012, with completion scheduled for June 2014 and an opening date in October 2014, to coincide with the hospital’s centenary. The total project cost was £288m, with capital works accounting for £175m of that.
Yesterday, to coincide with a visit by health secretary Andrew Lansley, Acorn was again formally announced as preferred bidder but financial close is not expected until next winter and official opening has been put back to summer 2015.
The good news is that the total project cost is now put at £237m by the client.
John Laing and Laing O’Rourke each hold 40% of the total investment equity in the project with Interserve holding 20%. Interserve’s role is to provide £50m-worth of facilities management services over 25 years.
The new 270-bed hospital will be built next door to the current site. Once the building is constructed the existing Alder Hey will be demolished and turned into a park.
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