LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month

A main contractor tasked with building the Eden Project Morecambe is expected to be in place by the end of this month, it has been announced.

John Pye, project director, revealed the news at a Bay Tourism Association meeting in Morecambe on Tuesday, saying this will "really put the marker down that we're ready for construction".

Work is due to start on building the new £100m attraction on Morecambe Promenade towards the end of this year, with a scheduled opening date of winter 2028.

"We got planning (permission) in February, we need to build on that momentum to appoint a main contractor," said Mr Pye, speaking to Beyond Radio after the meeting at the Midland Hotel on Tuesday.

"We are going through that tender process and they will be on board, all things being equal, by the end of this month, which is a brilliant milestone because that really puts the marker down that we're getting ready for construction, and that's the thing everybody is wanting to hear."

LISTEN to our interview with John Pye 

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.

John Pye with Mark Prada from Bay Tourism Association at Tuesday's meeting attended by Beyond Radio and representatives of local councils, Lancaster University, Lancaster and Morecambe College and many other local businesses and organisations

The Bring Me Sunshine Garden will become the first feature at Eden Project Morecambe, forming part of a 1.6-acre public community garden on the central Promenade land.

It 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 gardens including the Bring Me Sunshine Garden will be created on this land on Morecambe's central Promenade

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 in summer 2026, with plans to officially open to the public as it bursts into spring colour in 2027, ahead of Eden Project Morecambe’s full opening the following year.

Mr Pye said they were aiming to start work on the garden in "June or July, possibly into August".

"It puts Morecambe on the map, 150,000 people will be coming to Chelsea Flower Show in person and on top of that around 2.2bn actually have sight of Chelsea and Morecambe will be part of that showcase," he said on Tuesday.

"I hope it wins a gold, that would be fantastic!

"In terms of scale, the Bring Me Sunshine Garden here in Morecambe is 50 times larger than it will be in Chelsea.

"Later in the summer we will break ground with that garden in Morecambe and that will be the start of many things to come as we go through 2026.

"Whilst that is happening, we're continuing with design development and getting the main contractor with their sub contractor supply chains, getting us that final fixed price and design, so later this year, and we haven't quite pinned down the month yet, that's when the big build will start.

"We are still on track for a winter 2028 opening. I always caveat this with, we are right on the coast, and there are quite a few harsh winters to go through."

A design image of the Eden Project Morecambe at night

In February, Lancaster City Council gave permission for updates to the look and scale of the planned development.

An altered planning application was necessary to reflect changes to the scheme announced since 2022, when permission was first granted by the council.

Eden asked the council to approve amendments to the design and layout of the already-agreed development - known as a planning variation.

Changes to the design were announced in 2025, from an original concept of two larger domes and a smaller one on the site, which has been changed to one large dome and a flatter mussel-shaped building next to it.

Mr Pye said in December, the Eden Project Morecambe experience team, led by Sam Smit, had given a presentation to other team members and partners, showing how Eden Project Morecambe will look inside.

He said: "After three hours we were all absolutely blown away by how Eden Morecambe will be a twist on something different, that hasn't really been delivered anywhere else in the country.

"Particularly The Realm of the Moon where we've got this dark immersive theatrical experience, with puppetry and play, telling really key messages about environmental change, not in a preachy way but a fun way.

"The Realm of the Sun is this horticultural extravaganza, flanked by the external gardens. What's not to like? There's going to be a cafe, restaurant, retail, all things to all people."

A design image of how the Eden Project Morecambe restaurant will look.

Eden Project Morecambe will be situated on the central promenade of Morecambe, on the former site of the Bubbles leisure complex with the Winter Gardens and Midland Hotel its near neighbours. 

The project is being delivered in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster University and is supported by UK Government investment of £50m, half the total cost of the scheme. 

The Eden Project is an educational charity that demonstrates and inspires positive action for the planet, and runs the Eden Project attraction in Cornwall, which is celebrating its 25th birthday this year and has had 25m visitors in that time, generating £6.8bn economic impact to South West England.

"The population in the South West of England is much sparser than the North West," said Mr Pye.

"So we're confident that the numbers we've got, the business case, and what we're hoping to deliver not just for Eden but for the wider town's regeneration, we're going to smash it out of the park."

Read more: Thumbs up for design changes marks start of "transformative year" for Eden Project Morecambe - Beyond Radio

LISTEN: How Eden Project's new community garden will bring sunshine to Morecambe - Beyond Radio