The vital importance of the city’s culinary landscape has been laid bare as a week-long celebration of flavour returns to support an industry now responsible for over a third of all city centre spending.
Almost one in ten jobs in Liverpool are in the city’s hospitality sector, according to the latest data, with the food and drink industry worth over £322m to the city centre economy.
As Liverpool Restaurant Week launches, running from 18th to 26th April 2026, the value of a sector that now accounts for 36% of all spend in the city centre can be revealed.
Organised and funded by Liverpool Business Improvement District (BID), the event was launched as an opportunity to cast a spotlight on the restaurants and eateries of the city centre.
Each venue creates a specific culinary or drink offer, giving diners significant discounts to enjoy.
The celebration is designed to raise the profile of a sector that has grown substantially post-pandemic.
A Growing Economic Powerhouse
Since 2019, data from Beauclair shows the food and drink industry has increased in debit spend by 16.4%.
Since the pandemic, the industry has grown 2.4% year on year, with total spend reaching £322,654,686 in 2025.
According to figures from Liverpool City Council, hospitality, covering both food and accommodation, equates to 9.3% of employment in Liverpool, representing 20,776 jobs.
The public response to the 2026 event has been significant, with over £90,000 worth of offers already downloaded.
The majority of these are for £35 experiences, including three-course offers at The Art School, Wreck Bistro, and Nord, alongside Afternoon Tea at Zenn Liverpool and London Carriageworks.
Supporting the High Street
The initiative follows a successful 2025 event where 100 venues took part and £271,000 in dedicated offers were redeemed.
Data from last year showed that 60% of visitors visited three or more venues during the week.
Katie Bentley, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications at Liverpool Business Improvement District, said:
“Food and drink is becoming one of the biggest sectors in Liverpool city centre, which is why it is so vitally important that we, as a business improvement district, are able to support the industry.
“Our bars, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality venues enliven our streets and provide a colourful and integral thread through our visitor economy.
“They’re also a major employer and sector that should be supported and recognised as such. The growth of the sector over the past seven years has revitalised parts of the city centre, breathing new life into Castle Street and Bold Street, for example.
“Food and drink can act as a catalyst for regeneration for neighbourhoods that need it, but we should never forget these are businesses that need support and can be taken for granted.”
With food and drink acting as a catalyst for regeneration in areas like Castle Street and Bold Street, the event encourages residents and visitors to rediscover the city’s diverse offerings.
All available offers can be explored via the official website.
