ACC Liverpool celebrates first birthday

5 Jan 09

Liverpool's Arena & Convention Centre has contributed £200million to the local economy in its first year, it was revealed today.

The venue, which comprises the 11,000 seater Echo Arena and the BT Convention Centre, has seen almost 700,000 people pass through its doors over the first 12 months.

Highlights of the 2008 programme included the European MTV awards in November 2008 - which was watched by an estimated global audience of 1.5 billion people; the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards; La Machine and the Stirling Prize.

Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool, said: "2008 was an incredible opening year and the challenge now is to ensure 2009 follows suit.

"Both the Echo Arena and the BT Convention Centre have proven themselves as world-class venues, holding events such as the MTV awards and the La Machine performance art project.

"We originally estimated that the venue would deliver £100million to the local economy - for everyone from hoteliers, restaurateurs and cab drivers - but we have more than doubled that.

"This is testament to the tremendous effort from everyone involved in the project, who have made this first year such a huge success."

Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, added: "For far too long Liverpool lacked a venue capable of staging world class events.

"Since ACC Liverpool opened in January, the city has been spoilt for choice when it comes to high profile events.

"I think the true measure of the venue's success is that it is difficult to remember it not being there.

"2008 has been a fabulous year and I have no doubt this will continue into 2009."

Highlights of 2009's programme, announced so far, include tours from Lionel Richie, Pink, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton; League darts and boxing alongside alongside blue chip conferences including the Royal College of General Practitioners, The TUC, The NHS Confederation and The Association of British Neurologists.