LIVERPOOL’S Jurys Inn Hotel is increasing staff by more than a third this week as it gears up to cope with the Labour Party Conference.

In an interview with LDP Business, the hotel’s recently-appointed general manager Jerry Pribil said the hotel was taking on an extra 35 people on top of the 90 normally employed.

The conference, which started yesterday, is taking place at the Echo Arena and BT Convention centre and will see thousands of delegates descending on the city.

Jurys Inn is right next door to the centre and will be accommodating senior Labour party figures.

Mr Pribil said he and his staff had spent weeks preparing for the conference.

“We are extending the hours of our food and beverage outlets and also much longer room service hours,” he said. “There is a very high level of security and it is tremendously exciting for all the staff at the hotel.

“I have been amazed and delighted at the level of co-operation we have had from The Mersey Partnership, the arena and convention centre and Merseyside Police.”

The conference is a baptism of fire for the Czech Republic-born Mr Pribil, who only took up his post at the end of July. But he brings a wealth of experience to the role.

He has worked in the hospitality industry all over the world and was once the managing director of a 25-strong hotels group.

He has been in charge of events involving high profile figures, including former US President Bill Clinton.

“I first came to Liverpool in 1996 for the European Football Championships,” said Mr Pribil.

“When I came back this year I could not believe how much it has changed – it is absolutely amazing.

“The city is now so vibrant. You have the ACC, the new museum – the infrastructure is fantastic and was really needed.”

Mr Pribil has set up a scheme with Hugh Baird College in Bootle so that hospitality and travel students can get a chance to work at the hotel.

He added: “I went there to meet the students and I was very impressed – this is a win-win agreement.”