Staging the Eurovision Song Contest would cost Liverpool around £2m it is thought.
Last month, Liverpool Council confirmed it would throw its hat into the ring to host the annual music event after an announcement was made that Eurovision could be held in Britain due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Now it has been revealed how much the city would need to put on the pan-European show.
Cllr Harry Doyle, assistant mayor and cabinet member for culture and visitor economy, told a select committee earlier this week that the bidding process represented a “really exciting time” and the council was “absolutely going in full steam ahead.” Cllr Doyle confirmed the city had been in discussions with the BBC over a potential hosting of the song contest when it comes round next May.
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He said: “We’ve got to throw everything at the bidding process. What sets us apart is that we can do things differently.”
After making its offer, Liverpool Council confirmed earlier last month that it was drawing up plans looking at options for venues, including the 11,000 seater M&S Bank Arena. Cllr Doyle, the Labour member for Knotty Ash, said the council was “deadly serious” about a bid and financial discussions would ultimately take place.
The cabinet member added conversations were taking place with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority over funding for Eurovision, which he said would amount to around £2m. Cllr Doyle added that any staging of the song contest in Liverpool would give Ukraine a “platform” and any show would highlight and celebrate Ukrainian identity and culture.
In a report to councillors sitting on the culture and visitor economy select committee on Eurovision, Cllr Doyle added: “You have to be in it to win it, and I believe Liverpool has the credentials, the capacity and connectivity that will deliver a world class stage for Eurovision.” Launching its bid publicly last month, Liverpool Council said the city’s music credentials were “second to none”.
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: “We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and would like the opportunity for Liverpool to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest and in doing so pay tribute to their wonderful country.”
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