New £10m fund launched to attract major events to Liverpool

A new multi-million pound fund has been launched to help attract major events to Liverpool and boost the city’s visitor economy.

The £10m fund has been created by Liverpool Accommodation BID and is generated through the city’s £2 per room per night visitor charge, which was introduced in June 2025.

The funding will be managed by Liverpool BID Company and will be used to support events that encourage more overnight stays in the city.

Around £7m of the total fund is expected to be invested in major events, while £1m will go towards destination marketing and the remaining funding will support the wider visitor economy.

Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, Bill Addy, said the aim is to attract events that encourage visitors to stay overnight in the city.

He explained that while day trips to Liverpool are increasing, overnight visitors tend to spend more across hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, helping to support the wider hospitality sector and supply chain.

Chair of the Accommodation BID board, Marcus Magee, said the fund is designed to strengthen collaboration between the accommodation sector and the wider visitor economy.

He added that the initiative creates a circular model where income generated from overnight stays can be reinvested back into the city to attract more events and visitors.

Since the overnight levy was introduced, it has already helped support major events in Liverpool including the Labour Party Conference, the World Chess Championship and the World Boxing Championships.

The impact has also been reflected in hotel occupancy figures, with Liverpool recording its highest ever July occupancy rate last year and ranking among the top 20 cities globally for weekend hotel occupancy in 2025.

Tourism continues to play a significant role in the region’s economy, contributing around £6.2bn each year to the Liverpool City Region economy.

Applications for the Conferences and Exhibitions Fund will open in two rounds, closing on 29 May and 28 August.

Further details on eligibility and how to apply are available via Liverpool Accommodation BID.

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