More than £1m is to be spent on two major events to revitalise Liverpool’s visitor economy.
Liverpool Council has signed off on budgets worth £1.1m for the staging of the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) in July and the River of Light Festival across 17 days from October to November. In a bid to support the city’s visitor economy and music venues that have borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic, this summer’s LIMF will move away from its previous home of Sefton Park to indoors locations throughout the city centre.
A report to cabinet, heard at Liverpool Town Hall this morning, said the event, which has been a staple in the city’s cultural calendar for almost 10 years, will “return to its city centre roots, to create an Edinburgh Fringe style festival, to help boost the city centre economy.” Councillors signed off on a budget worth almost £500,000 to support the event this summer.
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The 2019 event generated £2.6m for the city’s economy. Cllr Harry Doyle, cabinet member for culture and visitor economy, said: “The council considers it vital to support this year’s festival in order to drive growth of the visitor economy following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Usually it’s held in Sefton Park, which is a great venue as we know, however our music venues in the city and visitor economy in general have been absolutely decimated during the pandemic and so we’re really wanting to ensure that they feel the benefits of the festival.” Mayor Joanne Anderson said she was “particularly pleased we’ve found an opportunity to support our hospitality sector.”
The report to cabinet said the event this year would “forego the mass outdoor multi-stage festival, for a curated and more nuanced programme. It will be a little more specialist, offering deeper engagement for a wider range of people.”
A further £647,000 has been signed off for the provision of the 17-day River of Light event, comprising 11 light and sound based installations across the city centre. Liverpool Council is the primary funder of the festival with Arts Council England funding the remaining contribution of £75,000.
From October 21 to November 6 the Pier Head, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool ONE and The Strand, will be lit up from 5-9pm each evening. The event has grown since its first iteration in 2017 and was extended to 17 nights following a successful run in March last year.
The October 2021 festival attracted more than 150,000 people. Cllr Doyle said: “The festival has become a popular part of the city’s cultural calendar, attracting thousands of attendees and millions of pounds in economic benefit.
“It directly supports our city plan aims; driving economic recovery and enhancing Liverpool’s distinct public realm and cultural heritage.”
