Construction jobs created by Liverpool hotel project

Builders have moved in at a site in Liverpool, where a famous building is due to be converted into a hotel over the next few months. The council has backed the scheme to change the Royal Insurance base in the city into a hotel and the work will cost in the region of £18 million. The project will last 15 months and when it is completed, some 50 full-time jobs will be created. In the meantime, the development is good news for those seeking construction jobs in Liverpool, as around 150 positions are to be filled throughout the process. Ashall Property, which is based in Runcorn, has been installed as the builder and it has already begun work on the Grade II listed property. The Royal Insurance building has been empty for the last 20 years and had even been named on the National Buildings at Risk Register, underlining the threat it faced. But it now stands to enjoy a more prosperous future as a hotel.Mayor Joe Anderson said: "This deal with Ashall is another great example of how we are targeting our resources creatively to help kick-start development, and investing in assets that bring in new income streams for the council. The Royal Insurance building has been empty for too long, and its rebirth is great news for our city, for our economy and for our hotel sector." Earlier in 2013, Liverpool City Council managed to acquire the land on which it is built for £1.95 and it has now enabled the development to go ahead with £18 million of privately invested funds. Such a scheme can bring a huge boost to the area both in terms of jobs and economic activity. Mark Ashall, director of Ashall Property, added his voice to those backing the scheme and said his firm is "excited and proud" to be involved in the project. The work carried out over the coming months will help to breathe new life into a hugely historic building.