Liverpool prepares for BCSC 2012

Around 2,500 of retail property's biggest hitters will arrive in Liverpool on Monday for the annual British Council of Shopping Centres Conference & Exhibition.

BCSC 2012 takes place from Monday to Wednesday at ACC Liverpool. There will also be fringe events, drinks receptions, site tours and golf contests around the city.

The UK's leading developers, investors, shopping centre owners, managers and retailers as well as government figures will attend the three-day event.

Delegates include Grosvenor, Hammerson and Capital & Regional as well as a host of top high street names including Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Arcadia Group.

Retailer advisor Mary Portas is a keynote speaker at the conference, and her hour-long session on Tuesday afternoon is expected to spark debate. Challenging economic conditions have been met with a strong response from the industry and a comprehensive conference program ensures the industry will continue to tackle these challenges head on.

A series of recent key government debates around, amongst other things, business and empty rates mean the spotlight has never been so firmly on the retail property industry as is meets in Liverpool next week.

Michael Green, BCSC chief executive, said: "To have such a wealth of experience and knowledge from such a diverse industry all in one place always sparks great debate; this year's keynote speakers, Mary Portas and Luke Johnson will not disappoint.

"The changes Liverpool has undergone over the last decade make it an excellent location to host the event. With such a proud history and vibrant local economy, we are excited to be in Liverpool for the next three days which will hopefully see successful networking and deal making."

BCSC's conference was last held in Liverpool in 2008 and took place in Manchester in the interim three years.