The main contractor tasked with building the Eden Project Morecambe has been announced.
VINCI Building have been revealed as the company who will be responsible for building the scheme, with work due to start on the new £100m attraction on Morecambe Promenade towards the end of this year, with a scheduled opening date of winter 2028.
Eden bosses say that VINCI Building deliver ‘multi-million-pound regeneration schemes that unlock long-term social and economic value, supported by extensive experience in delivering complex, large-scale projects.’
They said the company was appointed through a competitive tender process using the North West Construction Hub’s High Value Framework – an ethical, transparent and efficient public‑sector route to market – "as the most commercially advantageous bidder, demonstrating a detailed understanding of the project’s design vision, sustainability ambitions and operational demands".
John Pye (pictured below), project director for Eden Project Morecambe, said: “VINCI Building’s appointment marks an exciting acceleration for Eden Project Morecambe.''
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‘’Their technical capability, deep roots in the North West and strong commitment to sustainability and social value make them a powerful partner as we move towards breaking ground later this year.
‘’This is a nationally significant project for Morecambe and for the region and this latest milestone brings us another step closer to realising that vision.”
Gary Hughes, Regional Director at VINCI Building, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as main contractor for Eden Project Morecambe – a landmark scheme with the potential to transform the town, the wider region and the national awareness and perception of Morecambe Bay.
‘’Our team brings extensive experience in delivering complex cultural and environmental projects and we are committed to placing local people, local businesses and local supply chains at the heart of delivery. We very much look forward to working collaboratively to realise this inspiring project.”
Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “I welcome the appointment of VINCI with their focus on environment and sustainability, as another major milestone for Eden Project Morecambe.
‘’This project will bring pivotal opportunities for the future economy of Lancaster district, creating new jobs, supporting skills development and generating long‑term prosperity. Today’s announcement shows the real progress made since the government funding announcement in 2023: through collective commitment we are bringing forward an attraction with profound benefits for our communities and the wider region."
VINCI Building's website says: "Operating from a network of offices throughout England and Wales, VINCI Building delivers new build, refurbishment and associated fit-out works, with particular expertise in the education, healthcare, industrial, air, retail, commercial and mixed-use sectors."
Its head office is based in Watford, with other offices in Bromsgrove, Cardiff, Newcastle, Horsham, Wakefield and Widnes.
The Eden Project Morecambe has been described as "the greatest show of nature’s rhythms, where time is sped up, slowed down or paused - revealing the wonder, rhythms and threats to the health and well-being of people, Morecambe Bay, and planet".
It has also been called a "game-changer" for the local economy, with an estimated 580,000 visitors expected each year.
As well as exhibitions themed on the natural world and Morecambe Bay, housed inside a 'Realm of the Sun' and a 'Realm of the Moon', the attraction will include public gardens, a 6000-capacity concert venue, a cafe and a restaurant.
Eden bosses describe 2026 as a ‘transformative’ year for the scheme, that was originally given planning permission in February 2022, with revised plans approved earlier this year.
The first phase of the development is due to be 1.5 acres of vibrant, interconnected landscaped gardens - in early 2027, on the central Promenade land.
The ‘Bring Me Sunshine Garden’ will stretch from next to the Midland hotel to the popular wishing well on the Prom, which will remain and become part of the gardens, as will the Morecambe War Memorial.
The Eden Project said the public garden will become a living classroom, community hub and beacon of regeneration, rooted in both the natural and cultural heritage of Morecambe Bay. It will include areas of shelter and seating, and patches for horticulture enthusiasts and local community groups to work on.
Named after the trademark song of Morecambe-born TV comic Eric Morecambe and his partner Ernie Wise, the garden has been created with help from young people from the town.
Designed by multi award-winning garden designer Harry Holding and architect Alex Michaelis, a smaller version will take centre stage at the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Chelsea Flower Show in May.
Work to install the garden will follow later in the summer.
An Eden Project spokesperson said that across the build phase, the project aims to create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation, drive year‑round tourism, support local businesses and cultural partners, and deliver long‑term economic, educational and wellbeing benefits across Lancashire and Cumbria.
The spokesperson said that VINCI’s build programme alone is projected to deliver local benefit to the value of £80m, including new jobs, apprenticeships, local supply‑chain spend and community investment.
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