A warning has been issued to people looking to book hotels in Liverpool for next year's Eurovision Song Contest after an surge in room prices.
It was announced on Friday that Liverpool will host the international showpiece event, with the city triumphing over Glasgow at the final stage. Eurovision is being held in the UK next year on behalf of this year's winners Ukraine - which cannot host because of the ongoing Russian invasion.
While the news was met with huge excitement around the city, there was frustration as hotel prices suddenly shot up for those looking to book rooms next May.
READ MORE: Eurovision 2023 bid team share reason why Liverpool's campaign 'couldn't be ignored'
Prices have shot up at hotels, guest rooms and other accommodation venues across the city. A look on Booking.com shows multiple single person rooms being priced up for well over £1,000 for the night of May 13 2023, when the song contest will be held in the city. On social media, some people shared screenshots of eye-watering room prices of £6,5000 for a four-night stay in the city.
One accommodation provider that has refused to put its prices up for the time of Eurovision is the iStayLiverpool aparthotels group. The company took to twitter and said: "We are thrilled to have the Eurovision come to our fabulous city and also happy to announce iStay Liverpool have not increased prices. We have remained the same as we do for all big events as we love to see our city thrive and for those visitors to keep coming back."
The group received widespread praise, including from city centre councillor Nick Small, who said: "This is what responsible operators do, who are invested in Liverpool for the long-term. Well done."
Amid the explosion in hotel prices, Liverpool's cabinet member for Culture and a key figure behind the city's successful bid, Cllr Harry Doyle has issued a warning to those hoping to book a stay in the city next May.
On twitter, he said: "Be patient with hotel bookings. I’m disappointed with some accommodation providers who have hiked prices. That’s normal apparently after the initial announcement."
He also suggested the council will be working on alternative arrangements for places to stay, which could include a cruise ship and camp sites.
These comments were repeated by Director of Marketing Liverpool Chris Brown, who told the BBC: "We would certainly say to anybody that received those prices not to book them." He added that further "robust" accommodation plans for the city would be revealed later in the week and repeated ideas around campsites and cruise ships.
Visitors could also be encouraged to stay in other nearby areas such as Cheshire and Manchester, which are within an hour's commute to Liverpool.
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
Coronation Street DNA twist as Alya finds new information about Stu
Daughters devastated after tragic dad given ten times medication dose
UFC star Paddy Pimblett issues request to fans before agreeing to take a photo
