National Museums Liverpool (NML) has seen a return to major events following the G7 summit, which was hosted at the Museum of Liverpool (pictured).
The museum was the main location for the 10th edition of the G7 Summit of Foreign and Development Ministers talks this month. It was the first major external client event NML has hosted since the start of the pandemic, with work happening behind the scenes to prepare for a series of other events scheduled for 2022.
Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, latest figures show a steady return to growth for NML’s commercial activity. Its Hosted by NML venue hire business is currently on track to finish the financial year (to April 2022) 16% down on the last pre-pandemic year of 2019 – with new short lead bookings for 2022 helping to close the gap further.
Karen O’Connor, director of commercial enterprises at NML, said: “As well as welcoming millions of visitors a year, we also host a busy schedule of commercial events – which help to fund our work.
“Our events business was on hold this time last year, and if anyone had told me that we’d now be hosting a major international event, I wouldn’t have believed them – the international spotlight on Liverpool has been a welcome boost to the economy and the hospitality industry.”
O’Connor said NML, which runs seven museums and art galleries in the Liverpool area, has also pivoted the business to support the return of commercial events. Next year it will host the world premiere of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder at World Museum, as well as The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics exhibition at Walker Art Gallery.
NML’s venues have also been chosen as the backdrop for several commercial filming projects this year, including Doctor Who, Peaky Blinders and Silent Witness. One of its venues is also set to star in the upcoming The Batman film, following filming last year when NML also hosted a film crew hub.