LIVERPOOL could become a feeder city for the 2012 London Olympics, in a move that could generate valuable leisure and tourism trade for the city.

Virgin Trains is in talks with hotels giant InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), whose key brands include Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites, as well as tourism body The Mersey Partnership.

Talks have also taken place with the Liverpool Chinese Business Association, aimed at attracting tourists from China and the Far East who would be offered bespoke tours of Liverpool during their stay.

Sold-out signs at London hotels are expected to swiftly go up, as are prices, so Virgin sees the value of transporting Games visitors between Liverpool and the capital, with journey times now down to less than two hours.

Virgin revealed it will run two extra trains to Liverpool each night during the Games, which run from July 27 to August 12, departing London Euston at 11.45pm and at 1am. An early morning train departing Liverpool at 6.55am will take visitors to London on Sundays.

Virgin Trains is in regular dialogue with IHG and Liverpool businesses, and its general manager for Liverpool, Gary Iddon, told LDP Business: “We are working with local businesses and agencies to make Liverpool an attractive proposition as a key feeder city for the 2012 London Olympic Games.”

Colin Ling, spokesman for the Liverpool Chinese Business Association, added: “We are delighted to be working with IHG and Virgin in developing the opportunities for visitors from China, particularly as we have such a big contingent of Chinese students in the city.”

Virgin Rail is also stepping up its involvement with the Liverpool business community after establishing regional executives, with the authority to take localised decisions.

Liverpool general manager Gary Iddon said: “We have the autonomy to make decisions that best serve Liverpool.”