Liverpool?s preparations for its year as European Capital of Culture in 2008 have received a £4m boost through major sponsorship deals with two North West companies. The deals, each worth £2m, are with water supplier United Utilities and commercial law firm Hill Dickinson, and are the first of several sponsorship packages expected to be announced over the next few weeks. Under the agreements, the companies will offer cash sponsorship as well as support in kind, with Hill Dickinson handling all of Liverpool 2008?s legal affairs. Sir David Henshaw, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, said, ?Clearly we will need the support of both the private and the public sector to deliver our vision for ?08. To achieve two big money deals in such a short space of time is a major boost for our plans but there is still work to do to secure even more partners.?
Capital of Culture sources have described the commercial sponsorship as ?absolutely vital? in the absence of Government funding for the year. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport made it clear before the Capital of Culture designation was awarded that minimal central funds would be made available to the winning city. However, there has been widespread criticism in Liverpool of the financial muscle the Government has thrown behind London?s bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Council leader Mike Storey has said, ?The Government is quite rightly supporting the Olympic bid with millions of pounds, but we would expect the same support [for Liverpool]. There is clearly still a north-south divide in this country and it is time other big cities outside the capital got the support. They can?t just play lip service to the regions, there must be practical and financial support.?
Published: 14-03-2005