A Conservative Party conference which was due to be held in Birmingham later this year has been cancelled.
The annual conference was due to take place at Birmingham's ICC in Broad Street over four days from October 4.
But now the Party has confirmed that the event will no longer go ahead and will instead take place virtually.
The news is a blow to Birmingham's economy after past conferences have seen in excess of 11,000 people travel to the city, providing and estimated £20m boost to the local economy through the spending of money in hotels, bars and restaurants.
The announcement follows similar moves by Labour and the Liberal Democrats last month when they cancelled their annual gatherings.
Conservative Party chair and Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling said the party's "first priority is for the health and safety of members, delegates and attendees."
In a letter to party members, Ms Milling said: "We have decided that the Conservative Party will host a virtual conference and move most of our conference in October online.
"The virtual conference will provide a fantastic opportunity for members to share ideas and hear from voices across the party."
The MP added that some aspects would take place in a 'physical format' however it is so far unclear what that could mean.
