The Labour Party will be returning to Brighton in 2013 to hold its annual conference after a four year absence.

It is estimated the party will bring 8,000 delegates and visitors to the city, which will inject £20 million into the local economy.

The news is a big boost to the city’s conference trade and comes on the back of news from Brighton and Hove City Council that 28 major conferences have been booked for this year, which will earn the city an estimated £45 million.

The newly refurbished Brighton Centre, which will hold the Liberal Democrat conference this year, will play host to Labour’s conference in September 2013.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, the council’s cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, said: “We are delighted the Labour Party has chosen Brighton & Hove for its 2013 conference. This is fantastic news for the city. Businesses across the city will benefit, with delegates bringing trade to local hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions.

“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to promote the city as a venue for conferences because of its importance to the local economy and we are delighted conference organisers are choosing Brighton & Hove.”

Brighton Centre