Labour Delegates Head to Blackpool for Conference

Conference organisers in Blackpool are making final preparations ahead of the arrival of the North West Labour Party (NWLP) this weekend.

This is the third year the NWLP has headed to the resort for its annual conference and more than 500 delegates and visitors are expected to attend.

Speakers at this year’s event at The Imperial Hotel will include Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Gloria De Piero, Shadow Environment Secretary Maria Eagle and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Ivan Lewis.

Marketing Blackpool Tourism Manager Mandy Tythe-McCallum said she is delighted to be welcoming the party back.

Mandy said: “This is an important conference on the Blackpool calendar and it is great to see the NWLP returning once again.

“There is always a buzz around the resort whenever there is a conference and, in particular, when it is a major political event.”

Business tourism in Blackpool represents an average of £44 million in economic benefit to businesses in the resort each year.

In recent years Blackpool has undergone a major £250m investment to regenerate the resort, including part restoration of the historic Winter Gardens complex.

Mandy added: ““Business Tourism is a vital part of Blackpool’s economy and high profile conferences such as this injects a major financial boost into the local economy.

“We work incredibly hard to attract conference and events organisers and therefore political events such as the NWLP annual conference are incredibly important to us.”

A Labour North West spokesperson said:

“Delegates are really looking forward to once again visiting Blackpool for our annual conference, this will be the third year our event has been held in resort and the second year at the iconic Imperial Hotel.  Blackpool is as brilliant place to bring the Party together discuss both regional and national issues.”