Prime Minister Boris Johnson says events at the ACC Liverpool complex on the city’s waterfront can resume in the autumn subject to successful pilot programme. Tony McDonough reports

ACC Liverpool will be able to open its doors again by October as the Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered a lifeline to the UK’s beleaguered events industry.

Earlier this week, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson had made a plea to the Government to offer a timetable for business events to resume following the COVID-19 lockdown. Events, concerts and conferences a big contributor to Liverpool’s £3.3bn visitor economy.

Now, subject to the success of a pilot programme, Mr Johnson said venues would be allowed to open again by October giving a lifeline to ACC Liverpool, which comprises Exhibition Centre Liverpool, the Convention Centre and M&S Bank Arena.

ACC chief executive Bob Prattey said: “We welcome the news that conferences, business events and live entertainment will be able to restart from autumn subject to the success of pilot events.

“Our teams have been working behind the scenes to ensure that we are able to offer a safe environment for bringing organised events and large numbers of delegates back together again. 

“Our campus has been operational throughout this time – working as a distribution centre for Liverpool City Council – therefore all social distancing protocols and management have already become second nature to our teams.

“While we understand the restart is subject to the successful completion of pilot events – and events will look somewhat different to what we have previously been used to – we welcome the challenges this new landscape will bring.”

Through submitting its new COVID-19 secure operational plans and procedures, ACC Liverpool Group has already received COVID-19 secure accreditation from Visit England, through its ‘Good to Go’ consumer standard and the Meetings Industry Association’s ‘AIM Secure’ standard for business events.