Liverpool remains in the Eurovision 2023 race

LIVERPOOL is a massive step closer to being awarded the ultimate "douze points" of being the host City for Eurovision 2023; as the BBC get closer to making their mind up.

Following official presentations by shortlisted host Cities, the BBC has today confirmed that Liverpool and Glasgow have now made it through to the final stages of the bidding process.

Following the difficult decision to find an alternative home for the 2023 competition due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Liverpool stepped forward and offered to stage the event in solidarity with, and in tribute to Ukraine and its people.

Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have been working with partners across the City Region to produce a detailed bid, outlining why Liverpool could; and should; host the biggest song competition in the world.

As part of the process, judges have looked at venues, transport links, funding and past experience of hosting major events; and with Liverpool and Glasgow both designated UNESCO Cities of Music, there's still all to play for!

A final decision on who is hosting Eurovision 2023 is expected very soon.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson said:- "I'm so thrilled to hear Liverpool's hopes of hosting Eurovision have moved a big step closer! We all know our City is great at hosting big events, nobody throws a party like Liverpool; and the judges at Eurovision agree. From The Beatles, to Cream, to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool always moves to its own beat, and hosting Eurovision would write a brand new chapter in our musical heritage. In the short term however, it will be a huge boost to the local economy and will also provide a platform to sustain jobs well into the future. We are so proud to have the backing of our Sister City in Ukraine, Odesa, and it would be a privilege to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of them and the people of Ukraine. Glasgow is a great City and so I don't envy the judges who have to decide between us, but for me there is no City anywhere in Europe which would make a more perfect home for Eurovision than Liverpool"

Claire McColgan CBE, Director of Culture Liverpool, said:- "The process of bidding for Eurovision has once again shown why Liverpool is such a brilliant event City. Partners from across the Region; from hoteliers to the Police, ACC Liverpool to the local Hospitals; have got behind our plans and really stepped up to help bring this to the City."

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "It's unsurprising that Liverpool has made it to the final 2 Cities to host Eurovision because there's nowhere better qualified or more fitting to host it than here in the UK's cultural capital. Our reputation as a music heavyweight is unmatched. Not only are we a UNESCO City of Music, but no Region in the UK has had more number 1 hits. We've shown time and time again that nowhere can throw a party quite like us; we're ready to roll the red carpet out for a Eurovision celebration that the world will never forget!"

Phil Harrold, the chair of the BBC's Host City Selection Committee said:- "The Eurovision Song Contest is a very complex event and Liverpool and Glasgow have the strongest overall offer; we will continue our discussions with them to determine the eventual host City."

Let us know if why you think Liverpool should or shouldn't get Eurovision by emailing our newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

1 in 10 students order a takeaway every single day!

THE Nation's students are takeaway mad, with research revealing 42% of UK students order a takeaway 3 times a week or more. A recent study, conducted by Foodhub, 1 of the UK's leading food ordering apps, investigated student's eating habits ahead of the new academic year. And the data reveals that almost 1 in 10 students admit they order a takeaway every single day. Further to this, in order to keep costs from spiralling, 23% of students identified cost as the most important factor when choosing a takeaway, even above the quality of the food. The research also reveals the most popular cuisines when it comes to snacking students, with Italian (43%) named number 1, followed closely behind by Chinese (39%) whilst an Indian rounded off the top 3 (33%).

Emma Stockman, spokesperson for Foodhub, said:- "Ahead of the new academic year we were keen to investigate student eating habits to see how their takeaway choices affect their lives. A huge 85% of students said they regularly use food ordering apps, demonstrating just how important platforms like Foodhub are to student lifestyle. The majority of students revealed they'd happily spend up to £20 on a takeaway, and with nearly 50% saying they order 3 times a week or more, this can quickly add up. This is why we are immensely proud of our non-commission model, which not only works out cheaper for the restaurants, but also the customer too; everybody wins!"

Do you use services like Foodhub? Please let us know as well as your thoughts on this report by emailing our newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Facebook or Twitter.
 

According to Foodhub, UK student's to 10 favourite takeaway cuisines are:-
Italian (43%)		Thai (19%)
Chinese (39%)		Kebab (17%)
Indian (33%)		Mexican (16%)
Fish and Chips (29%)		Sushi (15%)
Burger (27%)		Dessert (6%)