Impact on Liverpool

A new report reveals the full impact of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture (ECoC). The research, by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, shows that there were an additional 9.7 million visitors to Liverpool during 2008. There was also a 10% rise in arts audiences in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Eighty-five per cent of Liverpool residents agreed that Liverpool was a better place to live after the ECoC, with almost 80% recognising the benefits that being ECoC brought to the city. Merseyside’s seven largest attractions saw a 50% rise in visitor numbers since 2005. Seventy-eight per cent of North West residents agreed that Liverpool has “benefitted” or “strongly benefitted” from hosting the ECoC.