Liberal Democrats head to Yorkshire for get-together

The decision by one of the major political parties to host an event in York was described as a vote of confidence in the city by tourism organisation Visit York.

Around 1,000 delegates are expected to attend the three-day event in March.

Liberal Democrat leader and Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg said: “We’re helping to create new jobs all around the country and York is not only a beautiful city, but it’s also a great place to do business.

“I’m sure all our delegates will enjoy a great conference and a great stay in York.”

York Barbican Centre will host the conference itself with the Novotel Hotel acting as the party headquarters for the event.

Visit York chairman Jane Gibson said: “In 2013 Visit York launched a major new offensive to put York on the map for business events.

“Winning this bid demonstrates how far we have come and we will continue to punch above our weight to ensure events and conference organisers see York as one of the most attractive cities 
in the UK in which to do business.”

The event is expected to inject an additional £600,000 into the York economy.

Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat group leader on York Council, said: “It is a tremendous vote of confidence in the city as a top-class conference venue and will be a welcome boost for the hospitality sector.

“I am particularly pleased that the Barbican will be hosting the event and this proves that the £1.5m refurbishment carried out under the previous Lib Dem administration is helping to attract major events and bring money into York.

“It is an exciting time for the Lib Dems in York as we work towards 2015 with a growing local team and I can’t wait to welcome colleagues from across the country so they can see at first-hand our work and enjoy our wonderful city.”

The Liberal Democrat spring conference is one of the biggest events to be secured by the Barbican Centre since it reopened in 2011.

The centre was closed in 2004 amid wrangling over plans for its future before being reopened under council ownership and the management of venue operator SMG Europe following a £1.5m facelift.

York Council leader James Alexander said: “This conference puts York on the map for political conferences and I warmly welcome that.

“Anything that brings significant numbers of people to the city where they will spend money is good for the local economy and good for York.

“It is ironic, though, that the Liberal Democrat party is holding its Spring Conference in a building that York Liberal Democrats left empty for almost eight years of council control.”