Everton's proposed new stadium could help unlock economic confidence and potential in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak according to one director.
The Blues submitted a detailed planning application for their potential waterfront ground at Bramley-Moore Dock with Liverpool City Council last year, with the hope that it could be approved by the summer if things went their way.
However, dominating the thoughts of the country over the last week has been the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen a number of emergency measures introduced including Thursday's announcement of the suspension of the Premier League until at least April 30.
But Henri Murison, the director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, believes the project at Bramley-Moore Dock will be important for both the short and long term prospects of the region.
Murison told Press Association: “The confidence point is really important.
“Clearly the priority is protecting people’s health but you will have seen what the chancellor said about how we keep the economy going and there are significant projects like the stadium in north Liverpool which will make a big difference to the economy, not just in Liverpool but the wider north.
"Investments like this will unlock real economic potential.
“If we can control the virus while keeping the economy going then yes, government investment will keep us going in the next few months but there is absolutely a role for mega-projects like this.
"The economic value of this development is significant in the construction phase but the economic value it will generate all through the year, not just when football is being played, is the reason why it is so important.”
Liverpool City Council's consultation period on the stadium ends on Friday, and it is understood there is not expected to be any delay due to the spread of coronavirus.
