TUC conference coup for Liverpool’s landmark arena

Feb 15 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

ONE of the most high-profile events in the UK’s political calendar, the TUC annual conference, is to be held in Liverpool for the first time.

The event will be held at ACC Liverpool, home of the BT Convention Centre, in September 2009. Some 750 delegates will attend the four-day conference with around 3,000 visitors, journalists, and exhibitors also expected.

In previous years, the event has provided a platform for Prime Ministers, senior government figures, and trade unionists.

Last night, it was estimated the conference will provide a £2m boost to Liverpool’s economy.

The announcement is the latest in a string of coups for the Echo Arena and BT Con-vention Centre, which will also host the Liberal Democrat spring conference next month. Attracting business in 2009 is seen as significant as it follows the city’s showcase Capital of Culture year, and is seen as a symbol that Liverpool will remain popular for high-profile events in coming years.

Last night, Southport-born TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said: “It will be good to bring Congress so near to where I was born and brought up.

“We’re looking forward to linking up with the strong trade union tradition of Merseyside, as well as build-ing on the spirit of Capital of Culture 2008.

“Capital of Culture is doing a tremendous amount to attract interest to Liverpool and making more people aware of the regeneration and changing face of the city.”

If Prime Minister Gordon Brown waits until 2010 to hold the next General Election, it would be the last TUC Confer-ence before the ballot.

“If that is the case, then there would be a lot of politi-cal interest in the Congress and the key issues that are shaping up,” said Mr Barber.

“It could be quite an excit-ing time politically. I’m just hoping there’s a home game at Goodison on the Saturday.”

The conference starts on Sunday, September 14, and ends on Wednesday, September 17.

Alec McFadden, chairman of Merseyside TUC, said: “It’s good that the TUC is coming back to its heartland.

“The North-West has the biggest concentration of trade unionists in Britain, while Merseyside has for long been the heartbeat of the trade union movement. More trade union General Secretaries come from Merseyside than any other city in Britain, and long may it continue.”

Keith Faulkner, TUC senior events organiser, said he had been impressed with ACC Liverpool and would certainly look to return to Liverpool in the future.

Council leader Cllr Warren Bradley said: “Welcoming the TUC to Liverpool in 2009 will be a great opportunity to showcase Liverpool’s landmark venue to a wide international audience.

“Hosting the Congress will play a part in maintaining the momentum of Liverpool’s regeneration and help keep Liverpool firmly on the map.”

Jacquie Rogers, general manager of the BT Conven-tion Centre: “The TUC annual Congress is one of the UK’s highest-profile events and it’s fantastic that it’s coming to Liverpool.

“Since 1868, the TUC has been held in a number of different cities in the North and South of the country, including Brighton since 2003, so this is a tremendous win for Liverpool.”

Other organisations bringing their events to the facility include the British Chambers of Commerce, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Society of Rheumatologists, who have signed up to hold their conferences at ACC Liverpool until 2014.

davidbartlett