Occupancy levels in Liverpool hotels are almost back to pre-pandemic levels, new figures show. Tony McDonough reports
Occupancy rates at Liverpool hotels are almost back to pre-pandemic levels with room sales in 2022 up 63% from 2021.
New data compiled by Liverpool City Council reveals that from January to September 2022 room sales increased from 852,599 to 1,389,685. The comparison is with the same period in 2021.
Weekend occupancy now stands 82.1% and weekday occupancy is at 71.5%. In recent years, despite the rapid growth of the visitor economy, weekend leisure traffic has been the main driver of hotel room sales.
Liverpool’s city centre’s low business density, in comparison to other regional cities, meant city hotels often experienced “feast and famine” between the weekends and weekdays. This is partially offset by Champions League Football and major concerts and events at ACC Liverpool.
Five new hotels have opened in the city centre this year. Most notable launches have been the four-star Novotel Paddington Village and the four-star Radisson Red Hotel at Lime Street. They add a combined 423 rooms to the city to the city’s stock.
In 2023 the four-star Fragrance Hotel in the former Municipal Buildings in Dale Street is set to open its doors next year, along with Holiday Inn Express and Hotel Indigo in Duke Street.
More than 12,000 Labour Party delegates attended the party’s annual conference in Liverpool over five days in September, boosting occupancy. The conference will return to the city in 2023.
Hotels also benefited from the return of the Grand National meeting in April and the Liverpool FC Victory Parade in May.
According to the new report, compiled by Liverpool City Council in collaboration with Liverpool BID Company and Marketing Liverpool, the city now has 94 hotels, apart hotels and guest houses. They offer 8,093 bedrooms and employ 1,935 people.
In May next year Liverpool will need every hotel bed it can get its hands on when the city will host the Eurovision Song Contest. The initial announcement sparked a booking frenzy.
In late November Hoteliers and accommodation providers in Liverpool voted 84% in favour of establishing the city’s third BID. This will release £4.3m to provide security both for the industry and for visitors, helping to continue to attract major events to the city.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said: “What a year it has been for Liverpool. Emerging from the pandemic, we’ve made huge strides in getting Liverpool’s hospitality sector back on track.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to see that our hotel occupancy rates have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, while room revenues are currently running at their highest in the past 20 years.
“We hope to continue the trend as 2023 is already looking like a bumper year with Eurovision, plus the Grand National and The Open Golf Championship in the city region.
“However, challenges still remain, not least the cost of living and its impact on recruitment and promoting the skills agenda. These are issues which myself and colleagues are raising with the government at every opportunity.”