Ed Miliband thanks Liverpool for staging ‘fantastic’ Labour party conference
Ed Miliband last night thanked Liverpool for staging a hugely successful Labour Party conference.
The Labour leader said the city had been a “wonderful backdrop” for the event.
Businesses and hotels reported an uptake in business as 11,000 delegates descended on the city for the five-day conference.
It is predicted its economic impact was worth more than £15m for the city.
Mr Miliband said: “Liverpool has been a fantastic host city, and I would like to thank all the people and agencies involved in making our conference such a great success.
“Listening to people has always been at the heart of Labour Party conference, and, by holding it in Liverpool, many people have experienced it for the first time.
“The city and its venues have been a fantastic backdrop for a very successful conference.”
Liverpool Council leader Joe Anderson said the boost to city’s reputation due to massive TV and press exposure was immeasurable.
He said: “The sun has certainly shone on Liverpool this week, and I have been overwhelmed with comments from delegates about how fantastic the city looks and how smoothly everything has gone.
“You simply cannot put a price on the stunning pictures of Liverpool’s waterfront which have been broadcast into millions of living rooms around the country over the last week.
“I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard on making the event such a success for Liverpool.
“I am absolutely certain the Labour Party will be returning to the city at some point in the not too distant future.”
Stephen Roberts, deputy chairman of the Liverpool Hoteliers Association and manager of the Crowne Plaza hotel, said there was no doubt the conference was good for business.
He said: “It has been a great week for the city – there has been some fantastic coverage. We were fully booked on Sunday and Monday, and pretty much on Tuesday too. It was a little bit quieter on Wednesday night.”
Mr Roberts said some hotels were left with spare rooms because they were asked to turn away business which was not party conference-related.
Malmaison general manager Helen Caters said: “The conference created maximum occupancy for us during this week.
“In addition, the multiplier effects have generated a substantial amount of business, with repeat bookings for Christmas and leading into spring, 2012.”
The nearby Albert Dock complex was another major beneficiary of the huge influx of people.
Jeremy Roberts, chairman of the Albert Dock Business Tenants Association, said: “Being in such close proximity to the Arena, the impact of the Labour Party conference on Albert Dock was significant.
“We have seen an uplift in visitor numbers this quarter thanks to some great events, but the conference is a welcome boost in low season.
“Many of the venues at the dock were used to host delegates and party members for fringe events and hospitality once the day’s agenda was fulfilled.”
Delegates also ventured farther afield to restaurants in the city centre.
Patrick Smith, who runs Salt House Tapas and Hanover Street Social, said: “There was no doubt that the Labour Party conference has been a resounding success for the city, based on the additional footfall at both Salt House Tapas and Hanover Street Social alone.
“We were delighted to look after so many MPs, delegates and reporters enjoying the flair Liverpool now has to offer in wining, dining and entertainment.”
Rosaria Crolla, co-owner of The Italian Club Group, added: “I think visitors to the city, as a result of the Labour Party conference, were shocked with delight at the glamour, variety and quality of what we have to offer.
“Our cafe bar and restaurant trade has been brisk from morning until late in both of our venues.”
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