New analysis estimates the Liverpool Accommodation BID has generated £47m of economic benefit to the city over a 12-month period. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s Accommodation BID has boosted Liverpool city centre’s economy by an estimated £47m over a 12-month period, new data reveals.
Established in 2022 and backed and funded by the city’s hoteliers and accommodation providers, the Accommodation BID (ABID) was introduced to support bringing major events and conferences to the city.
A levy is paid by those businesses with a rateable value above £45,000. For the period September 2023 to September 2024, ABID is investing around £700,000 in a so-called subvention fund, which is used to market the city to conference and events organisers.
It is estimated the return on this investment will translate into a spend of at least £47m over the 12-month period. And with four months still to go before the end of that period that figure could rise further.
Although it is events such as the forthcoming Taylor Swift concert in Liverpool that often grab media attention, it is the major industry conferences that represent a bigger chunk of the spend.
A concert is a one-night event with many people who attend not staying overnight or not eating in restaurants. However, a conference lasting several days will generate a much higher level of spend.
Last autumn the Labour Party Conference at ACC Liverpool welcomed a record 18,000 delegates, boosting the city centre economy by an estimated £29m. The event will return to the city this year offering another major economic boost.
Over the past year, the city’s hotel occupancy rate has been 77.4%, with a 12 month average daily rate of £94.79 and a RevPar of £73.39.
Another 860 additional rooms are expected to be opened over the next two years, an increase of around 12% and the highest growth since 2018.
The Accommodation BID will also launch Conferences, Sports and Cultural Events Fund, supporting the hosting of major events in the city.
Helping to attract more overnight stays, drive footfall to the city centre, and showcase the city as a thriving centre, the new fund will provide funding on a sliding scale based on economic value to the city.
For example, an event aiming to bring £1.1m to the city could apply for £25,000. Open to a range of different organisations, including local authorities, charities and commercial organisations, the first round of funding is open for application until June 14. Click here for more details.
Liverpool BID Company chief executive Bill Addy said: “The Accommodation BID came from a desire from within the city’s hoteliers and accommodation providers to take the visitor economy into their own hands.
“Working with the private sector, it offers the chance to make dynamic changes. Liverpool BID Company already provides those core services of street cleaning and animation.
“So it means the ABID is able to focus its attention on pulling in events and conferences. These help to boost bed nights in the city and help the industry to grow.
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“Over the past decade we have seen the value of bringing major events to the city. The question is always, how to fund it? We have shown that the private sector is eager to help, because the argument over the economic value to the city has been asked and answered.
“The Accommodation BID is a bold and ambitious model that helps to boost the city’s economy by having a shared vision and drive.”