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A leading UK business organisation has welcomed news that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool on behalf of this year’s winner, Ukraine.
The city has been selected to host the 67th contest following a close bidding race with Glasgow and other major cities including Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester. The final will take place in the Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday, May 13 with semi-finals planned for Tuesday, May 9 and Thursday, May11.
Phil McCabe, the Merseyside and Cheshire development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “After a tense wait for the organisers to make up their minds, Liverpool and its small business community will be delighted that the Eurovision Song Contest is coming to the city.
“We know that Eurovision brings tangible economic benefits to its host cities and Liverpool will rise like a phoenix from the hardships of the last few years to make this event a success.
“Liverpool’s small businesses have always stepped up to welcome UK and international visitors to all sorts of major events, including the European Capital of Culture and International Festival for Business, but also sporting events and others celebrating Liverpool’s unique musical and maritime heritage.”
He added: “Tens of thousands of people will come into Liverpool from all around Europe and the world, giving our amazing shops, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions the opportunity to open their doors to a whole new audience. This will be a significant next step in the city region’s economic renaissance and recovery.
“We would encourage the event organisers to think local in every way that they can, so that they engage with suppliers and make sure that everyone taking part in this brilliant event gets a true taste of Liverpool, the Merseyside and the North-West of England.”