Champions League final: Liverpool 'the next best thing to being in Paris'

Liverpool is "buzzing with excitement" ahead of the Champions League final, traders in the city have said.

Bars and pubs are preparing to host fans on "the busiest weekend of the year" with big screens installed to watch the match against Real Madrid.

Thousands of fans have travelled to Paris to enjoy the game, but many have stayed to watch it on home turf.

With excitement building, Liverpool has been described as "the next best thing to being in Paris".

Camp and Furnace is one of many venues in Liverpool pulling out all the stops for the much-anticipated game.

"We are expecting 1,900 people... our tickets sold out in 20 minutes," general manager Scott Hudson said.

The 25-year-old added it had been a "fantastic season" for the Reds and he hoped to share the winning moment with supporters.

He added that the event was also "very much welcomed by the hospitality industry after what has been a difficult time" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Strategy director Donna Howitt for retail complex Liverpool One said the site was anticipating the weekend to be "the busiest of the year" for visitor numbers as fans flock to the city.

She said the city was "buzzing with excitement" and "no matter the result in Paris", Liverpool's domestic successes would "create memories that will last well beyond Sunday".

Peter Hunter, one of the directors for Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, said the final was a boost to both the city's "mood and trade".

He said it would be "great for business", which was exactly what hospitality needed "after the rocky patch it's been through".

Regardless of the result in Paris, a victory parade will take place in the city on Sunday to celebrate Liverpool's FA and League Cup wins and Liverpool Women's promotion to the Women's Super League.

Liverpool City Council said it was expecting similar crowds in the city to the 2019 Champions League final when the club claimed the trophy for the sixth time.

The city's mayor said there was a "real buzz" in the city.

Joanne Anderson added that the weekend would "bring not only a party atmosphere, but a much-needed financial boost to our local economy".

Liam Kelly, who manages social enterprise Make CIC on Regent Street, said it would be "another great weekend for Liverpool's visitor economy to watch the game as the next best thing to being in Paris".

The 34-year-old added Liverpool's football brand "undoubtedly helps businesses located here proudly promote themselves here".

Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool Business Improvement Development, said there had been a "lot of work" completed behind the scenes "to make sure everyone had a good time".

He said the final "increased footfall, from hotel rooms to bar takings", adding: "I say this as a proud Evertonian, we all know it has a positive impact on the city's economy."

Merseyside Police said the weekend was "set to be a busy one" and predicted "large numbers of people" travelling to the city.

The force advised fans to "keep bags fastened, phones hidden, drink responsibly and plan journeys home in advance".

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