UNITED KINGDOM – Staging the Eurovision Song Contest would cost Liverpool around ยฃ2m it is thought.
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 โreally exciting timeโ and the council was โabsolutely going in full steam ahead.โ
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.
โWeโve got to throw everything at the bidding process. What sets us apart is that we can do things differently.โ
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 โdeadly seriousโ 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 ยฃ2m. Cllr Doyle added that any staging of the song contest in Liverpool would give Ukraine a โplatformโ 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:
โYou 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.โ
Launching its bid publicly last month, Liverpool Council said the cityโs music credentials were โsecond to noneโ.
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said:
โWe 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.โ
You must log in to post a comment.