We’ve got the cash to pay for 2008

Jun 2 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

AS SIR Paul McCartney rocked Anfield last night, the Liverpool Culture Company announced it had cleared its budget gap and raised an additional £1m for community events.

As 36,000 concert-goers waited to hear Sir Paul play, Culture Company chairman Bryan Gray announced to VIPs that the organisation had now raised the full amount needed to fund all events in the 08 programme.

The Culture Company’s previous failure to hit its sponsorship target by £2m had compounded financial problems for Capital of Culture as the council had struggled to meet a £20m commitment of its own.

Last night, Mr Gray said the company had not only delivered the £2m, but had also raised an additional £1m which would be spent on community events.

He said sponsors, the Government, and the Arts Council had been persuaded to give more funding. “The Culture Company has balanced its budget,” he said. “We had not raised the full amount we needed to fund all the events, we have now done that. Since last September when the new board came in, we have raised over £3m.”

Last night was the first time it has been confirmed that all the money is in place to fund the showcase year.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: “The person playing is probably the most famous musician in the world.

“The atmosphere is amazing and it’s great for the city of Liverpool.”

He said the event was the springboard to the summer programme of Capital of Culture year.

SPEAKING of the gig, Sir Paul said: “When I was asked to do something to celebrate Liverpool being European Capital of Culture 2008, I accepted immediately. It’s a great thing for the city.

“Over the last 10 years or so especially, Liverpool has really come back to its rightful place amongst the cool cities of Britain, so I think it’s the icing on the cake that it got voted Capital of Culture.

“It’s great to be playing Anfield because it’s such an historical ground.

“My dad was actually born in Everton, but I love the Liverpool football team as well, so I say I like them both and let people complain if they want to!

“I just love Liverpudlian audiences because they’re my people. We’ve got so much in common. To them, it’s one of their lads coming to play and, for me, it feels like I’m playing to my mates.

“It’s like family.”

SPEAKING of the gig, Sir Paul said: “When I was asked to do something to celebrate Liverpool being European Capital of Culture 2008, I accepted immediately. It’s a great thing for the city.

“Over the last 10 years or so especially, Liverpool has really come back to its rightful place amongst the cool cities of Britain, so I think it’s the icing on the cake that it got voted Capital of Culture.

“It’s great to be playing Anfield because it’s such an historical ground.

“My dad was actually born in Everton, but I love the Liverpool football team as well, so I say I like them both and let people complain if they want to!

“I just love Liverpudlian audiences because they’re my people. We’ve got so much in common. To them, it’s one of their lads coming to play and, for me, it feels like I’m playing to my mates.

“It’s like family.”

davidbartlett