Businesses benefit when the city is Capital of Culture

The experiences of Liverpool show that both small and large businesses have benefited greatly from the year as European Capital of Culture. And Aarhus have the same opportunities.

Both Liverpool and Aarhus are port cities. They have John, Paul, George and Ringo. We have Brandt, Helmig, Medina and Dickow. And the similarities do not stop there. Liverpool was European Capital of Culture in 2008, which as you know is the case of Aarhus in 2017.

Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture is a success story of the greats. So great that the city is talking about a Liverpool 'before 2008' and a Liverpool 'after 2008' because the Capital of Culture year has had a lasting effect on the city's economy in the form of, among other things, more tourists and a boost in growth.

In the context of the traditional New Year’s briefing for business and organizations at City Hall, journalist Thomas Fensten had visited Liverpool. There, he spoke to Neil Peterson, director of Liverpool 2008s' Welcome 'Programme; Chris Bliss - Chief Executive of the shopping centre Liverpool 1; Stephen Roberts, General Manager at Crown Plaza Hotel and David Blohm, taxi driver in Liverpool. They were all in one way or another involved in Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture.

The message from them to business owners in Aarhus is clear: Companies can benefit greatly from the year as European Capital of Culture and increase revenue up to, during and after 2017.

The key points of the video:
• It has been a 'GameChanger' for Liverpool to be European Capital of Culture
• Both large and small companies have benefited from the year as Capital of Culture
• The title of European Capital of Culture attracted many more tourists to the city, both in 2008, but also in the years up to and in subsequent years.
• The year as Capital of Culture re-established the population’s pride in being from Liverpool

Advice for business owners in Aarhus from Liverpool:
• It is important for business owners to network and see new opportunities for cooperation arise in connection with Aarhus 2017
• Do not expect that new cooperation opportunities arise by itself
• Get involved, organize cultural events, assume the role as host and embrace the year as Capital of Culture
• Keep an open mind and believe that the events can have a beneficial effect on your business. Even though they may not at first appear as right up your alley