LIVERPOOL is to host a Liberal Democrat conference for a third time.

The party will hold its annual autumn conference at ACC Liverpool, home to the BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena.

The event in September 2014 is expected to attract more than 7,500 attendees and represents another significant boost to the region’s visitor economy.

It will be the second time the Lib Dems have chosen to hold their most important date in the political calendar in the city.

In 2008, they held their spring conference in Liverpool, returning two years later in September 2010 for their main gathering, which was the first ever major party political event held at the waterfront venue.

Lib Dem leader and deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was joined in the city by 6,000 delegates and 1,600 global media at the last event which generated £10m for the city economy with 206 fringe meetings hosted at ACC Liverpool and around 300 additional meetings taking place elsewhere in the city.

Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, said the return of the Lib Dems was the result of ACC Liverpool’s previous track record of delivering and years of building up a relationship with the party conference organiser.

He told the Post: “Lib Dems coming to us for a third time is further confirmation that Liverpool is stronger than ever as a conference destination.

“The party came to us in our inaugural year in 2008, then again in 2010, so organisers know that we can deliver a first-class conference for delegates here at ACC Liverpool.

“Each time, the economic impact benefit for the city was terrific and we received positive feedback from delegates about the venue and the city.

“Our team, along with Liverpool Convention Bureau, have been in talks for many years with the Lib Dems, and with all the political parties, to come to the city to hold their key conferences. When conference finishes it doesn’t just stop there, there is a lot of continuous work that goes on behind the scenes.