Soccer success could hit hotels in city centre

Liverpool's success in European football could spell bad news for four-star hotels in the city centre, a study has found.

The Mersey Partnership has predicted lower occupancy levels next season, because Liverpool will be in the more prestigious Champions League rather than the Uefa Cup.

Last season, when the club won the Uefa Cup, matches were played on Thursday nights, traditionally quieter for city-centre four-star hotels. Hoteliers cashed in on the huge numbers of fans, journalists, sponsors and officials at home matches.

But now the club has secured a Champions League place for next season, matches will be played on Tuesday nights, when city-centre hotels tend to be more booked up with business visitors and football fans have to stay further afield.