Labour books Brighton for party conference next year

The Labour Party has booked Brighton for its annual conference next year.

It had been due to meet in Bournemouth but is believed to have been persuaded to switch after the £1 million refurbishment of the Brighton Centre.

The conference is expected to attract more than 8,000 people – delegates and visitors – and generate spending worth £20 million to the local economy.

The party last held its autumn conference in Brighton in 2009. 

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, the Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, said: “We are delighted the Labour Party has chosen Brighton and Hove for its 2013 conference.

“This is fantastic news for the city.

“Businesses across the city will benefit, with delegates bringing trade to local hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions. 

“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to promote the city as a venue for conferences because of its importance to the local economy.

“And we are delighted conference organisers are choosing Brighton and Hove.”

Iain McNicol, the Labour Party general secretary, said: “The Labour Party’s annual conference is the highlight of the party’s year, a time when party members come together to discuss the challenges the country faces and how we can tackle them.

“Brighton’s newly refurbished Centre will provide an excellent venue for Labour’s shadow cabinet and party members to meet together.”

Councillor Bowden said that the council’s conference and tourism staff worked hard to bring conferences and other major events to the city.

Last week the council said that 28 major conferences and events booked for this year were expected to attract 30,000 delegates and earn £45 million for the local economy.

Most will be at the council-run Brighton Centre, with others at the Dome, Brighton Hilton Metropole, the Grand, Thistle and Holiday Inn. 

This year the largest conference will be the Liberal Democrats party conference, in late September, which is expected to bring 8,000 people to Brighton.