Annual Hospitality Conference 2026
14-15 September 2026 | Manchester Central | Stand 62
Meet the Liverpool City Region Team at AHC26
Welcome to Liverpool City Region’s Annual Hospitality Conference 2026 investment showcase.
Whether you’re meeting the team at AHC or exploring opportunities before the event, this page has been created to help investors, operators, developers and hospitality brands discover the scale of opportunity across one of the UK’s fastest-growing visitor economies.
Visit us at Stand 62 to learn more about hospitality, leisure and placemaking opportunities across Liverpool City Region. From major hotel developments and mixed-use regeneration schemes to waterfront destinations, visitor attractions and cultural assets, Liverpool City Region is bringing forward a diverse pipeline of investment opportunities.
On this page, you can:
- Explore current hospitality investment opportunities across Knowsley, Sefton and Halton.
- Learn more about Liverpool City Region’s major hospitality growth locations, and its thriving visitor economy.
- Download the latest Liverpool City Region Investment Guide.
- Connect directly with our investment specialists for further information and introductions.
Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy is delivering the scale, demand and growth that hospitality investors look for.
With a record £6.83 billion visitor economy, the region welcomed 61.5 million visitors in 2025, generating year-round demand across accommodation, food and beverage, leisure and visitor attractions.
- £6.83bn visitor economy
- 61.5 million visitors annually
- 6 million staying visitors each year
- 76.5% hotel occupancy across the city region
- 32% visitor economy growth since 2022
- £11bn investment pipeline supporting future growth
From Liverpool Waters and the Everton Stadium District to Southport Marine Lake Events Centre and waterfront regeneration, Liverpool City Region is a place where record visitor demand drives hospitality growth. A place where transformational projects are creating new opportunities for hotels, aparthotels, leisure operators and investors.
Liverpool City Region.
Worth Staying For
A Destination with Year-Round Appeal
Liverpool City Region combines world-famous music, football and culture with a thriving programme of major events, conferences and visitor experiences. This breadth of appeal creates demand across leisure and business travel, helping to support a strong and resilient hospitality market throughout the year.
Business Events and Conference Strength
A recognised destination for conferences, exhibitions and business events, Liverpool City Region attracts national and international visitors year-round. Its reputation as a leading business tourism destination continues to grow, supporting demand across accommodation, food and beverage, and leisure sectors.
Connected for Growth
Liverpool City Region benefits from exceptional rail, air and maritime connectivity, providing easy access for visitors, businesses and investors. Strong transport links support tourism growth, improve accessibility and strengthen the region’s position as a leading destination for hospitality investment.
A Region in Transformation
Major regeneration, destination development and infrastructure investment are reshaping Liverpool City Region. New waterfront destinations, cultural venues, visitor attractions and mixed-use developments are creating opportunities for hospitality brands, operators and investors to be part of the region’s next phase of growth.
Major Hospitality Growth Locations
Liverpool Waters
One of Europe’s largest regeneration projects, Liverpool Waters is creating a new waterfront district that will deliver homes, workspace, leisure, culture and visitor destinations over the coming decades.
Key Investment Facts
- Strategic waterfront regeneration area.
- Mixed-use development at scale.
- New neighbourhoods and visitor destinations.
- Significant potential for hospitality, leisure and food and beverage investment.
- Part of Liverpool’s wider North Waterfront transformation.
Liverpool Waters is reshaping the city’s world-famous waterfront and creating opportunities for hospitality operators and investors seeking to establish a presence within one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration programmes.
Find out more HERE.
Everton Stadium District
The new Everton Stadium is helping to transform Liverpool’s northern waterfront, creating a major new visitor destination with opportunities across hospitality, leisure, food and beverage, accommodation and events.
Key Investment Facts
- New world-class football stadium destination.
- Major visitor economy catalyst.
- Waterfront location.
- Significant growth in visitor and event activity.
- Opportunities linked to leisure, tourism and hospitality demand.
As the district evolves, Everton Stadium is expected to play an important role in driving visitor growth and supporting wider regeneration across North Liverpool.
Find out more HERE.
Hospitality Investment Opportunities
Liverpool City Region offers a diverse pipeline of hospitality, leisure and placemaking opportunities, ranging from transformational regeneration schemes and hotel developments to cultural destinations, waterfront investments and visitor economy assets. The opportunities showcased at AHC 2026 demonstrate the scale of investment activity taking place across the city region and highlight a range of routes for investors, operators, developers and hospitality brands seeking growth opportunities.
St Michael's Place, Huyton
A prime hotel investment opportunity at the heart of one of Liverpool City Region’s most significant regeneration projects.
Key Investment Facts
- £200m GDV.
- 130-bed branded hotel opportunity.
- Development partner appointed.
- Site preparation and enabling works underway.
- Development-ready platforms being created.
- Located within a major town centre regeneration programme.
Supported by complementary food and beverage uses and Huyton’s growing evening and leisure economy, St Michael’s Place offers investors and operators the opportunity to establish an early presence within a transformational destination.
For further information on Knowsley investment opportunities, click HERE or email invest@knowsley.gov.uk.
Kirkby Gateway
A landmark mixed-use development opportunity at one of the principal gateways into Kirkby town centre.
Key Investment Facts
- £44m GDV.
- Proposed 100-bedroom hotel.
- Development strategy completed.
- Concept masterplan prepared.
- Deliverable mixed-use framework established.
- 93,000 sq ft of new retail already delivered.
- Further 36,000 sq ft currently in delivery.
Building on substantial recent investment, a growing residential population and an expanding leisure economy, Kirkby Gateway presents investors with a ready-made platform for hotel, hospitality and mixed-use development.
For further information on Knowsley investment opportunities, click HERE or email invest@knowsley.gov.uk.
Prescot Picture Palace
A rare opportunity to create a landmark leisure, cultural and hospitality destination within Prescot’s thriving cultural quarter.
Key Investment Facts
- £1m GDV.
- Leisure & Culture Opportunity.
- Landmark heritage asset.
- Located adjacent to Shakespeare North Playhouse.
- Strong heritage-led regeneration momentum.
- Opportunity for hospitality, leisure and visitor accommodation uses.
Prescot Picture Palace offers the opportunity to transform a historic building into a vibrant destination combining visitor accommodation, food and beverage, events, creative industries and community activity at the heart of one of Liverpool City Region’s fastest-growing cultural destinations.
For further information on Knowsley investment opportunities, click HERE or email invest@knowsley.gov.uk.
Marine Lake Events Centre, Southport
A landmark conference, events and entertainment destination transforming Southport’s visitor economy and creating new opportunities across hospitality, accommodation, food and beverage and leisure.
Key Investment Facts
- £106m GDV.
- Leisure, Events & Culture.
- Planning permission secured.
- Construction underway.
- Opening anticipated in 2029.
- Major catalyst project within Southport waterfront regeneration.
Positioned on one of the UK’s most recognisable coastal frontages, the Marine Lake Events Centre will establish a state-of-the-art venue capable of attracting conferences, exhibitions, business events and live entertainment, driving year-round visitor demand and strengthening Southport’s position as a leading visitor destination.
For further information on Sefton investment opportunities, click HERE or email carl.flaherty@sefton.gov.uk.
Bootle Town Centre Transformation
A transformational regeneration programme reshaping one of Liverpool City Region’s most strategically located town centres through placemaking, cultural regeneration and mixed-use development.
Key Investment Facts
- £500m+ GDV.
- Mixed-use town centre regeneration.
- Masterplans approved.
- Area Action Plan adopted.
- Public and private sector backing.
- Minutes from Liverpool city centre.
Major investment across residential, leisure, cultural, education and commercial sectors is creating a vibrant destination designed to attract visitors, support economic growth and unlock long-term investment opportunities across the town centre.
For further information on Sefton investment opportunities, click HERE or email carl.flaherty@sefton.gov.uk.
Bootle Strand
A major mixed-use regeneration opportunity at the heart of Bootle’s transformation, creating a new destination for investment, culture and growth.
Key Investment Facts
- £200m+ GDV.
- Mixed-use town centre development.
- Phase 1 approved.
- Enabling works underway.
- New public realm, leisure and F&B offer.
- Anchored by the Salt and Tar events venue.
The scheme will deliver new public spaces, food and beverage destinations, leisure attractions, cultural uses and commercial opportunities, creating a dynamic urban environment and strengthening Bootle’s appeal as a visitor and investment destination.
For further information on Sefton investment opportunities, click HERE or email carl.flaherty@sefton.gov.uk.
Runcorn Station Quarter Enterprise Hub
A transformational redevelopment opportunity at the heart of Runcorn Station Quarter, creating a vibrant centre for business, innovation and community activity.
Key Investment Facts
- £7m GDV (£5m excluding acquisition).
- Business, Leisure & Hospitality Opportunity.
- Two-year development programme.
- Pre-construction services underway.
- Partnership opportunity being explored with Microzine.
- Public-facing café and hospitality offer planned.
The redevelopment will deliver flexible workspace, studio accommodation, larger occupier space and a welcoming café destination, creating opportunities for hospitality operators and businesses seeking to be part of Runcorn’s regeneration story.
For further information on Halton’s investment opportunities, click HERE or email stephanie.davies@halton.gov.uk.
Bank Chambers, Runcorn
A landmark heritage building offering the opportunity to create a new destination that combines community, enterprise and visitor-focused activity.
Key Investment Facts
- Heritage regeneration opportunity.
- RIBA Stage 1 completed.
- Partner and operator discussions underway.
- Flexible long-term use model being explored.
- Opportunity to bring a prominent historic asset back into use.
The scheme offers investors, operators and social enterprises the chance to shape the future of a landmark building while supporting the ongoing regeneration of Runcorn town centre.
For further information on Halton’s investment opportunities, click HERE or email stephanie.davies@halton.gov.uk.
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum
A ready-made hospitality opportunity within one of Halton’s best-known visitor attractions.
Key Investment Facts
- Catering and hospitality franchise opportunity.
- Existing visitor attraction with established footfall.
- On-site kitchen facilities available.
- Supports visitors, events and functions.
- Discussions with the Trust and operational team planned from October 2026.
The opportunity offers hospitality operators a platform to serve a broad customer base spanning leisure visitors, schools, corporate events and special functions, creating potential for year-round trading within an established destination.
For further information on Catalyst Science and Discovery Centre, click HERE or email stephanie.davies@halton.gov.uk.
Explore Further
To learn more about these opportunities and the wider investment potential across Liverpool City Region, download the Liverpool City Region Investment Guide. The guide provides detailed insight into one of the UK’s fastest-growing visitor economies, its major regeneration projects, development pipeline and sector opportunities.
If you would like to discuss any of the opportunities featured here, explore additional hospitality investments, or arrange a meeting with the team, please get in touch. Our specialists can provide further information, introductions to local partners and insight into opportunities that match your investment objectives.
Contact:
Alice Lamb
Head of Investment Services
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Email: alice.lamb@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)7715 123483
Read the Liverpool City Region Investment Guide
This guide is your entry point to one of the UK’s most exciting investment destinations. Whether you’re exploring new markets, expanding operations, or seeking a vibrant location for your next venture, Liverpool City Region offers the ambition, assets and support to help you succeed.
Enquire Now
Whatever your business ambition, requirement or opportunity – talk to one of our team to see how we can help. We are in the business of delivering value, success and excellence and we’re waiting to speak with you.
