The Mayor of Liverpool has welcomed the Government’s announcement that parts of the cultural and hospitality sector will be allowed to open their doors from 4 July.
Mayor Joe Anderson has praised the decision after latest figures show the huge economic return the culture and hospitality has for Liverpool.
For Liverpool, the leisure, creative and cultural industries:
- Bring in around £3.3bn to city region each year
- Equates to 38 per cent of the city’s economy
- See a business rate contribution of 49.8 per cent. This means £270.5million is invested in core services such as social care, health care and in education.
- Supports 60,000 jobs
Today (Tuesday 23 June) Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that museums, galleries, hotels, pubs and bars are among a number of businesses that can reopen their doors. The government announcement comes just one day after the city launched its Liverpool Without Walls campaign which will introduce road closures, street furniture and grants which will give businesses in Liverpool the best chance of being ready to trade when the government restrictions are lifted. Read more about the project here.
Mayor Anderson said: “People are aware that Liverpool is synonymous with culture, but many may not know just how much economically this sector contributes to the running of the city.
“I’ve always said that culture will be the rocket fuel of our economy, and these numbers prove how valuable the sector really is to our city.
“The business rates raised by these organisations result in £270m invested in our core services – vital services that people in this city directly benefit from.
“Quite simply the effects of Covid-19 on this particular sector have been devastating. But thanks to today’s announcement there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“It goes hand in hand with the Liverpool Without Walls initiative which will see us working with partners to support businesses while they slowly and safely reopen, and in doing so we can encourage visitors to once again head in to the city and enjoy everything out cultural sector has to offer.”
