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Chris Grayling's fact finding visit to the Echo Arena

Article from Liverpool Daily Post 23rd November 2009

The Conservative Party is considering bringing its party conference to Liverpool.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling has been on a fact-finding visit to the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre to check out the Merseyside venue.

Following the tour by Arena officials, he said he would be lobbying party chairman Eric Pickles to bring the showcase event to Liverpool.

If the city secures the Conservatives, it would complete a stunning hat-trick of the major parties bringing their conferences to the city.

Liverpool will host the Labour Party Conference for the first time in the city’s history in September, 2011, while the Liberal Democrats will be here next year.

Mr Grayling, who is also the shadow minister for Merseyside, said: “I had not been back to the Arena since it was opened at the start of Capital of Culture.

“What I was doing was having a look at the facilities, and I think it is great.

“I think it would be a great place to do it [bring the conference].

“It’s certainly a possibility for the future and I would like to see it happen.

“I think the facilities are absolutely superb and tailor-made for a party conference.”

Last night, Liverpool Council leader Warren Bradley said the city needed to ensure it now sealed the deal with the Conservatives.

He said: “It would be great for the city, and they may be the party of government by then.

“We have to get on and make sure we get it now.”

In August, when it was announced the Labour party would be bringing its conference to Liverpool, it was estimated it would have a £20m benefit for the city’s economy.

Up to 20,000 people are expected to attend the Labour conference, including delegates, journalists and lobbyists.

The four-day Labour event will be the biggest conference the city has ever hosted, and will bring huge national and international exposure to the city’s renaissance.

But, with the possibility of the Conservatives being in government by the time they bring their conference to Liverpool, their event could even eclipse Labour’s.

The Conservatives held their conference in Manchester this year, and next year the party will be in Birmingham.

If the Conservatives come to Liverpool, it will result in a high demand for accommodation, bringing thousands of additional bookings for local hotels.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Liverpool is absolutely a great city. We are looking at a number of places for future conferences at the moment.”