Christian exhibition organiser urges BBC to choose Eurovision venue quickly

An exhibition organiser on Merseyside, whose contracted event will be cancelled if Eurovision 2023 is held in Liverpool, is calling on the BBC and the European Broadcasting Union to 'do a Bucks Fizz' and make their minds up where it is held - and quickly.

Steve Goddard, co-owner and managing director of the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), often dubbed 'the ideal church show', will be forced to abandon plans to run the event at the ACC Liverpool (3-4 May 2023) - if the city is successful in its bid to host Eurovision.

"It's now a straight fight between Liverpool and Glasgow - but the process has been going on for some time and the BBC are saying a final decision may not be announced for weeks," said Goddard, who lives in nearby St Helens. "While we are delighted Liverpool may be chosen to host Eurovision, the BBC's Host City Selection Committee and the European Broadcasting Union, who will decide which city hosts the competition, do not seem concerned about the devastating effect the bidding process has already had on businesses like ours. It's time they did a Bucks Fizz and made their minds up."

Some of CRE's potential exhibitors have tried to book hotel rooms in Liverpool on 3 and 4 May 2023 and were told none are available because of the Eurovision initiative.

"It takes months and months to sell space to exhibitors, and the last thing you need is this kind of uncertainty," said Goddard.

The Christian Resources Exhibition, the nearest thing to a trade show for clergy and all those involved in the maintenance and mission of their local church, attracts suppliers of everything from computers to candles, sound systems to stained glass, pianos to pews. While the event has been held all over the UK for more than 30 years, the exhibition at the ACC Liverpool would be the first in the city - and has been welcomed by the Rt Revd Beverley Mason, Bishop of Warrington and acting Bishop of Liverpool.

"CRE will showcase current Christian work and ministry, spotlight justice initiatives and draw us into the marketplace of Christian resources," she said.

The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, said: "CRE is an exciting and fruitful way of bringing people together from across the Christian traditions. The exhibition will provide unique resources to local church leaders and will offer, in creative ways, our talents for the common good."

LINK

Christian Resources Exhibition - https://creonline.co.uk/