ACC Liverpool set to re-open its venues for large live events

The ACC Liverpool Group, operators of the city’s iconic waterfront event campus, is preparing to reopen its venues after the Government announced that larger events will be able to re-start from next week.

The campus is set to host a variety of conferences, entertainment and sporting events and exhibitions over the coming months following the news that from May 17, some larger performances and events in indoor venues with an event capacity of 1,000 people or half-full – whichever is a lower number – can take place.

Next Monday (17th), ACC Liverpool will host the European Health-Tech Innovation Week, a one-day hybrid conference and exhibition which will virtually connect delegates across Europe’s leading healthcare innovation regions.

Delegates will also be able to attend sessions on site in the convention centre.

Other forthcoming conferences at the venue include the Royal College of Ophthalmologists virtual event and, looking further ahead, the Royal College of Nursing in September. A series of on-site corporate conferences are also in the pipeline.

The auditorium at M&S Bank Arena, also part of the event campus, is set to host a series of entertainment shows including X-treme Magic, Sleeping Beauty, Hot Water Comedy Club, Bippo’s Circus Spectacular and Circus of Horrors.

Faye Dyer, managing director of The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “We welcome the latest government news that larger socially distanced events can re-start from May 17.

“While everyone has adapted to a new landscape over the past year and is used to zooming in business meetings or watching events on the internet, nothing can replace the buzz and energy of live events.

“We have really missed all of our customers and delegates since we had to close our doors in March last year, so we are really excited about welcoming people back. We are confident that there will be a real appetite for attending live events and people will be just as thrilled to return to our venues.”

She added: “After June 21 – if the government roadmap continues to stay on track – restrictions will continue to be eased for large events and performances when all legal limits on social contact are set to be removed, which will mean we can get back to hosting large events.”

Events set to take place in Exhibition Centre Liverpool after the June 21 restrictions are lifted include The Gin to My Tonic Show, The Outdoor Trade Show, Fit Xpo, The Curve Fashion Festival, The North West Wedding Show and Liverpool Comic Con.

Paul Hudson-Jones, co-founder of The Gin to My Tonic Show, said: “The past year has been a challenging time for everyone and we have really missed being able to host our exhibitions for the public.

“The Gin to My Tonic Show will be one of the first events to take place in Liverpool after limits on social contact are lifted so it’s a fantastic opportunity for friends and family to come together, celebrate and enjoy a drink at our show.”

Looking further ahead, entertainment events include Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals, King of Pop, The Drifters and Paw Patrol Live!.

Covid secure measures across the campus have been introduced in line with the Government approved ‘All Secure Standard’ and as part of a series of accreditations received by the venue including VisitEngland’s ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standard for tourism and hospitality.

Measures that will be in place for all socially distanced events in May and June include designated entrances, track and trace QR codes, socially distanced queuing, bathrooms and seating, one-way systems, hand sanitisers and anti-viral electrostatic spraying machines to enhance hygiene standards throughout the venue, including seating areas.

The ACC Liverpool Group will continue to work closely with the industry, safety and government bodies to ensure all the required safety measures are in place for each stage of the roadmap.

ACC Liverpool recently hosted The Good Business Festival’s launch event, Change Business for Good, as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme (ERP) – a science-led initiative to get audiences back safely as restrictions are gradually eased.