Variety the spice of downtown life!
Two recent events took place which illustrate in their own way the unique value and complex function of downtown. They where, of course, only the tip of a huge number of activities taking place in our growing downtown.

The Creative's Network, jointly facilitated by MSIF, ACME and Creativebias, all downtown based organisations, went exceptionally well.

Networked to death? Not on your life, that's how great downtown's thrive

Held at Baby Cream, one of downtown's best contemporary offers, at Albert Dock, one of our greatest historic and architectural assets, the place was heaving. More are planned, so check them out.

Then this Saturday (30th April), just along the Mersey a 'Tenentspin' discussion on high-rise living and the future of Liverpool was recorded for later broadcast that involved tenants of many of the city's tower blocks.

Held at the Museum of Liverpool Life this melding of hi-tech, history, urbanism and community participation was also hugely successful. Imagine trying to do either of these things at Speke retail park? Just wouldn't be the same.

Legitimate history gets 'em in
News that HMS Whimbrel, the last surviving warship to have seen action in the Battle of the Atlantic, is a step nearer to being brought back to the city that was central to eventual victory is brilliant news ...and just in time for VE Day

The Daily Post's Peter Elson has been instrumental in bringing the project this far, just as he was in securing that other great downtown attraction, Chambre Hardman's home at 59 Rodney St.

Individuals can have great impact downtown - Chambre - Peter!

The wonders of hindsight
icliverpool reports that the district auditor has been called in to investigate the land deal that saw downtown based developers, Beethams, acquiring the site on which they now propose to build their West Tower.

Surely any value that land now has as an important piece of downtown real estate has only been generated by Beethams taking an urbanist view, and urbanists approach to what could potentially be built there?

Our 'business park' oriented planners and city estates couldn't see this, so at the time felt that they where getting a premium price for what to them was a useless piece of SLOAP (planners term for 'site left over AFTER planning') i.e. useless and therefore virtually valueless!

Well done Beethams for having the foresight and imagination so lacking amongst so many who supposedly run this CITY.

Picture This
Part of the ludicrous anti tall buildings policy adopted by LCC for downtown this week (see below) states that the Radio City Tower, which has been condemned for years by the 'conservation minded' as an affront to the city's skyline, is, after all, actually sacrosanct.

we've always liked this pristine example of the mercantile-maritime city extrordinaire ...well, it, now seems heritage did all along too!

"No building must be allowed to dominate the tower" said one dedicated nut...we wonder what they will make of these proposals by downtown contributor John Jay for a radical transformation of the tower?

Downtown sees the future
Bold visions of the future in the works of science fiction have often led to 'real life' developments ...some for good, some for much worse. Many of these visions have focused on how cities would work in the future and in particular, downtown.

The University of Liverpool library has Europe's largest collection of SF works, right here in downtown Liverpool. They have just launched the SF-Hub. Downtowners and researchers can access this incredible world. More info email Andy Sawyer

What will YOU be doing for Downtown Week?
Remember to put 5th-12th June in your diaries and get downtown? Downtown Liverpool is special and it deserves having this week dedicated to its celebration.

There are millions of things to do in the heart of the UK's' most exciting city, but if you're a company based downtown why not make it even more special during the week by putting on a special event, activity or offer to draw even more folk downtown?

A website highlighting who's already on board, what extra events they're putting on and how you can get involved is being readied to hopefully go online on April 30th.

Downtown - Don't you just love it?

Opera centres on Hopes
Excellent downtown facilities at 'Hope in Everton' have improved further with the opening of the European Opera Centre. Hope have played a major part in the revival of this great downtown district though we will be highlighting some severe problems it still faces over the weekend.

Takes all sorts - the city has bags of it

This is just the type of infrastructure that a 'cultural city' needs to help tap its peoples creative talents.

N.B. The European Opera Centre is NOT an initiative of the Culture Company.

Got any gum chum?
Could once again become a refrain heard on the streets of underground Liverpool if LCC's own proposed plea to put a 'penny on a packet' tax on chewing gum are taken up by Government.

Really? Would that stop people buying (then disgorging) it? Would this truly bring an end to Liverpool's 'free form' adaptation of the downtown public realm?

Rome wasn't built in a day
But we hope that expansion plans by Caesars Palace on Renshaw St that include 19 much needed extra downtown hotel beds get the go ahead without the usual ineptness. Another downtown company diversifying, expanding, GROWING.

Quay to a brighter future
The Liverpool Echo reports that a package of relocation or pay off for the business in Brunswick Quay has been offered by developers Maro, that should remove any logical opposition to their 51 storey tower proposed for the site.

Talking of settlements, we wonder how Quiggins are getting along in their negotiations?...Where LCC as determined to 'protect' these business' and hundreds of jobs at this vital downtown cultural centre and enterprise incubator?

Downtown entrepreneur at the helm of business community
David Wade Smith took over the reins today (20th April) as chairman of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. The long term downtown entrepreneur has promised to build a 'Team Liverpool' attitude.

Good luck. As we have said many times over the years, an effective Chamber of Commerce at the heart of any meaningful revival is essential. See their manifesto for business - let's hope the politicos are receptive.

Institutions benefit from downtown boom
National Museums Liverpool, who run a number of the city's biggest galleries and museums, has reported increased visitor figures once again. Great stuff, especially as the figures go against national trends.

A vibrant metropolitan experience, with excellent cultural/creative infrastructure brings the visitors in to visit the big stuff ...and it IS that way round.

The massive renewal works on William Brown St has ended and the World Museum Liverpool' formally opens on 29th April - a must see - Liverpool, World City!

Taking opportunities and testing new markets
Small but growing downtown establishments are as important as any downtown corporation, A vibrant future depends on those who explore new ideas and markets, at whatever rung on the ladder.

Lilly's' Deli on Prescot St (No23) is becoming 'Food Express' and expanding their menu to include Chinese and Italian.

Downtown - central marketplace

This was one of the few companies to set up in this much neglected downtown area in over twenty years and is playing its small but vital part in its continued turnaround. Call 263 2469

Just as important to the complexity that makes downtown so good are establishments like Heart & Soul bar-restaurant at 62 Mount Pleasant. Owner Chumki Banerji has restored the streets oldest building, though the internal work is utterly contemporary ...top stuff. Be sure to call in? 707 9276

Meanwhile, erstwhile downtown PR folk, October Communications, continue to win national and international clients ...again, bringing the money back to the city...we also notice that they have a 'Bay Area' perspective, having just recently opened an office in North Wales.

Miserable on a dull winters day
Grosvenors Rod Holmes gave an extremely illuminating update on the Paradise scheme to Merseyside Civic Society last night (19th April) All progressing well, though we have to say, 'just too much suffocating brown'.

We can imagine how our 'aesthetes' have pushed on each individual scheme for these materials.

Sandstone, terracotta and brown brick though, has accumulated in a fashion that will lead to a truly depressing experience...unless of course they brighten up their ideas rather quickly! We also feel that they should have gone for the building that shouts (explanation later in the year)

MCS have a number of further talks and presentations, as well as other social activities planned so why not join?

Analysing the downtown dynamic
Two major downtown based companies have announced changes.

Littlewoods are closing or selling off all of their Index catalogue shops and there will be job losses at their retail headquarters in downtown Church St.

Things are also happening with regards to Stanley Leisure whoseheadquarters is in Dale St. They are negotiating with national giants William Hill to dispose of their chain of betting shops in order to concentrate on building their casino interests.

We will have to see whether these moves will be better or worse for downtown's economy in the long run.

A lateral approach to downtown living
Internationally downtown living has been in single level apartments, ranging from the vast acres of the mega-rich, to the rent protected homes for key workers and their families. The common key is decent space standards.

Are we missing a long term trick? Downtown Liverpool's offer may not be the most advantageous in tapping the max.

Waterloo warehouses, magnificent, but not much more than glorified suburban homes.

We build the little rabbit hutches that every town and city is and our grand terraces are either retained as houses or subdivided, singly, into more rabbit hutches.


Expanding horizons - why not two, or three houses 'lateralised' into good size pads?

How's about some lateral thinking with regards to some conversions, as in Belgravia, Paris, Berlin, NYC...etc?

Big or bijou
MP's have called for the closure of 'barn type' mega downtown bars with a ten year plan to replace them with more 'civilised' small bars and restaurants ...we think they may have hit on something here!

Should be electric down at Static
There is a rare opportunity to see a work by renowned artist Damien Hirst downtown on April 21st.

Static Gallery have arranged the 'One Night Only' that features one work from Hirst’s acclaimed ‘Romance in the Age of Uncertainty’ series,

Originally shown at London’s White Cube Gallery in September 2003

Due to the expected demand for this exhibition we would advise visitors to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
For more information see our events board and contact Paul Sullivan at Static: 0151 707 1703

Building Sights
Lots and lots going on - and up -in town at the moment:
-New public square at junction of Parliament -St and Princes Avenue
-Municipal Annexe, scaffolding up on exterior
-Dale Street, new water mains - delays!
-PSDA -really motoring now
-Lime St Gateway, site preparation
-City Square and Tithebarn St going up!


The way forward

Liverpool is buzzing -why not head downtown?

Just a Thought
People often react to the term 'apartments' with exasperation. To many, it stands for yuppies and economic development that somehow eludes them. Perhaps let's drop the term and use the term HOMES instead.


In my Liverpool Home?

Unity Towers - current state of play

We all need to live somewhere -regardless of income - and the future of Liverpool won't be about building Noddy homes with a strip of grass out the back -but about beautiful big family dwellings - in big buildings - in a big city. - for everyone. The More -The Merrier.

It's in the blood you know
Just a couple of reminders that our love of the sea and all things associated are alive and thriving in downtown Liverpool.

Avert your eyes from the buildings but some of the yachts are something!

Why not get down to the watersports centre and put the River festival, Shanty festival and power boat championships in the diary - at least?


We're all Liverpolitans now
News reaches us via John Jay, long time friend and sometimes frustrated contributor to this site, that as a result of his campaign, the compilers of Collin's Dictionary are to include 'Liverpolitan' as a variant description for the good folk of our mighty metropolis in future editions.

Just what we like to hear; metropolitan sophistication, rather than backward provincialism. Well done to JJ, excellent work!

Downtown: In the picture?
A meeting yesterday between ourselves and a number of downtown creative's led to an idea for a very exciting project proposal moving on a peg or two.


Yeah, yeah...we all know, Stunning! The rest of downtown aint bad either though!

More details as and when we get them, but in the meantime make sure you take your camera wherever you go downtown?

The cream of downtown creativity
Be sure to get along to the Creative network and drinks at downtown's Baby Cream on 28th April.

Jointly hosted by MSIF, CreativeBias and ACME to celebrate the best creative talent in the metropolis.
N.B. A possible confusion of dates and/or times. Call 708 4509 to make sure?

Here we go again
Public sector posturing AGAIN over their toys and who 'bosses' the city. This time it's 'line 2' of the Mersetram System.

Makes you sick doesn't it? As the city recovers these types of macho games become less relevant...as does the power of the bodies themselves.

The story of NWDA evicting a scouse community venture is not too tasty either - As we've said before, just who are these guy's, stomping round OUR city (see description)- Get rid! (story link when we get one)

Remembering
Thanks must go to Dave Prentice for directing people to this piece in his Echo article that describes the absolute horror that happened at Hillsborough 16 yeas ago today (15th April)
R I P

City Lofts snapshot
As we have recently highlighted on this site, Princes Dock is fast on it's way to becoming the excellent downtown waterfront district it has always had the potential to be.

When complete there should be a good mix of business, leisure, residential and retail that all vibrant districts need to thrive.

These pictures of the City Lofts development show a good example of how the architecture and public realm down there are continually being revised UPward.

Heading skyward

Simple curves and quality materials

Taking shape - it actually looks like it's model in the waterfront shop!

"Here's one we made earlier"

Though, perhaps City Lofts PLC could put Liverpool on the map of developments on their site ...when they do we'll stick up a link!

Enterprise, wealth GENERATION and regeneration
3 Short points
With the closure of Birmingham's Longbridge plant estimated to rip a massive hole in that vibrant city's economy, with the domino effect hitting everything from suppliers and local retail to the housing market, we should remember that for five years in the late 1970s'/early80s', Liverpool faced closures of this size month after month.

The greater devastation in Liverpool was as a result of most of them being 'branch plants' - or as we now call it, 'Inward Investment'

We have the same type of 'skewed' economy today that we had by the mid 70s'

Downtown, at the heart of an entrepreneurial based city, generating and attracting SUSTAINABLE wealth through tens of thousands of generators, rooted in the city's talent and its place in a global economy will soften the blow of any international downturn

Just like Cain's, who from their downtown brewery are launching their award winning Finest lager nationally from the end of this month - bringing the money in!

Cain's; centre of downtown industry, enterprise, even leisure and tourism.
Take a tour round the brewery then have a drink at the pub attached!

Intelligent business intelligence
If you didn't buy the Daily Post today (13th April) you missed a cracker! Absolutely crammed with, contacts, names, who's who in the world of the SME, in fact all the info downtown entrepreneurs need to help themselves.


Stop me and buy one! One of DP's mobile army of vendors.

In addition to the usual hot 'Business Week' today included a special 'Hot Prospects' mag. Ring them up to see if they have any left and make sure you don't miss it again.

Downtowners can get the morning paper delivered to your door. Call 0151-227-2000

Pastures new for SLB
Liverpool's favorite piece of downtown public art is being moved. Superlambanana is to take pride of place outside the Avril Robards Learning Resource Centre at the junction of Tithebarn St and Vauxhall Rd.

On tour once again - Superlambanana

It will be moved from it's current site on Sefton St around 6p.m tomorrow, 14th April. Downtowners should go down to see this if they can, as SLB in transit is quite an impressive site!

Water, water everywhere
With the decision to give the go ahead for the canal link across the Pierhaed looking likely this week, downtown could be in line for some pretty strange visitors coming down the Leeds - Liverpool canal, and we don't just mean those who will come in funny skinny boats.

Fancy coming across this on a dark night downtown!
Usually resident in Vauxhall Roads proposed Wildlife Centre.(credit Ron Formby)

Bonfire of the vanities?
As is evident from statements we've made throughout this site, from day one, we fully support any calls or initiatives that would strip away the suffocating number of 'agencies' and layers of bureaucracy that stymie enterprise and innovation in our city. Less is more as far as we are concerned. But!

A 'bonfire of the 'quango's' (which incidentally Gordon Brown called for at the budget, whilst announcing the creation of two new ones!) that starts with the closing down of the Liverpool offices of 'Regional' concerns, but leaving the organisations intact, with their Manchester 'leanings' and completely in control over us is , to say the least, rather strange!

From which 'pro Liverpool' strategy does that emanate?

Note 2? It's the EU wot did it!
According to some it is not downtowners with talent crafting opportunity and generating money that is leading Liverpool's revival, but entirely Objective 1 funds (and presumably, the quango's who manage it, that FPB want rid of)

"Without the billions of euros over eight years, the areas regeneration would not have happened"!

Road Tunnel closures this week
Downtown's art deco Queensway Tunnel will be closed to ALL Birkenhead bound traffic each night (19.30 till 06.30) this week till Saturday 16th April.

Downtown bound traffic and the Kingsway Tunnels are unaffected, but why not let the train (or bus or ferry) take the strain? - you never know, you may get a taste for being more sociable? Better still - permanently move downtown!

Met Qtr progressing well
After years of delays and uncertainty downtown's newest shopping mall is now fast taking shape.

Steelworks done - central gallery linking Whitechapel and Victoria St can be clearly made out.

Such breathlessly silly statements leave us, well, er ...breathless.

Now this IS worth the money
One aspect of the role that Liverpool and environs has played in American history has been recognised by the designation 'American Civil War Heritage Site' by the Civil War Preservation Trust.

U.S. insignia on the old Compton Hotel (now M&S Church St)- just one of hundreds of traits showing that ties between America and Liverpool run long and deep

Excellent - no stultifying planning obligations to go with it, genuine worldwide recognition, another string to our bow. Downtown has always been at the heart of Globally significant events.

icliverpool reported the story last week, though the BBC only picked up on it today (9th April). With LCC's PR machine going wobbly we can only assume that Wirral 'Merseyside' must ran with it.

Gridiron on the Mersey
No, not the first 'design intent' statement of Liverpool's new development focus, but a call from the 'Mersey Centurions' American Football team who want to hear from anyone interested in getting involved with them. Call 07837 256099.

Downtown - ideal place for new ideas
Enterprise:
Downtown is great for testing new ideas to increase business or try new markets. It is where small companies can thrive by building their USP.

A great example is small Liverpool company, Coffee Union. Now opening from 7a.m. with great new breakfast deals, they're branching out into corporate catering, and now they even have a trendy (and healthy) Bio Yoghurt bar.


Coffee Union - the shops with the big clocks!

They have also pioneered by recently opening a shop at growing Princes Dock...Just the type of downtown approach that we like to see! Call them on 0151-707-9077

Loads of poets - and they all know its!
Culture:
Downtown Liverpool has been the incubator for some of the best developments in the poetry world and this is being celebrated with a festival lasting till 24th April at loads of downtown venues as well as others around the city.

To find out what's going on and book your place to see the latest great talents call 233 3000 (LCC) Also check out the listings links in our info&links section as it looks like being an extremely busy summer downtown for our creative's.

Kids know what downtown's about!
Fun:
We could say that with the sunny weather, things like the picture below are bearable, but they've been doing it all winter!


Forming an orderly cue to get drenched downtown - and having fun

A couple of letters in the papers have complained about kids doing this - what on Earth else is it for?!!!!

Will we at last get some
ARCHITECTURE?!


The Radisson SA hotel: Aedas architects

News from Building Design magazine that a new Liverpool Urban Design panel is to be set up to foster new architecture in the city [link -free registration required].

Replacing LUDCAP it will be supported by a signature architect and by Mark Daniels, the new CABE rep for Liverpool - a unique post in the UK.

Amazingly, Liverpool City Council's Executive Director for Regeneration Charlie Parker, is quoted as saying 'We have got so many listed buildings you tend to focus on that, which I felt was to the detriment of the other part of the question'.

Is the city about to throw itself a lifeline and rescue commercial ambition and architectural pride?

This is huge news and we would ask all downtowners who want to build a New Liverpool to email us and pledge your support.

RIBA Bookshop in Liverpool
Perhaps following on from our story below - great news that the RIBA have opened an architectural bookshop in Liverpool! Check it out at Tea Factory in Wood Street.

This is a downtown resource that has been sorely missed for years. Go and support them and buy some books! Maybe you can pick up some of the urban titles we have run at the foot of our home page this past year...??

£110m development for Mann Island
Will it justify obliterating the only 'sight line' downtown worth preserving? Are we going to witness the Mother of all 'tying themselves in knots'? We shall all have to wait and see. Would it be better to just pay the £5m rather than land ourselves with the wrong development?

Cor - look at those cores!
With the Paradise project getting into full swing as well as quite a number of projects south of Hanover St rising from their foundations a wonderful skeletal vista can currently be observed.


The central cores of new developments going up on the Strand.

These ephemeral phases of construction always look interesting and with a whole cluster of them going up at the same time it is well worth going down to see before they disappear as the buildings move on to completion.

N.B. The old Moat house Hotel on Paradise St will be coming down in 4 weeks.


Bye, bye Moat House, haunt of stars and temporary home to loads of footballers down the years!

We don't know yet whether Grosvenor are going to demolish or dynamite it ...could be interesting!


1000 days and counting (6th April)
Downtowners and all Liverpudlians now have less than three years to produce the infrastructure and sectors that we need to utilise the excitement generated throughout the metropolis for Capital of Culture.

The fact is that we are an intensely cultural city, but many of our creative sectors, especially in T.V are weak. We must start building the outlets for our creative talents...or by helping others to realise theirs!

A sign of things to come? behind these two is there still one saying 'Think Positive'?

If we leave it entirely to others to 'manage' 2008 then there may be a nice series of 'events' organised ...but what then? C'mon downtowners, just do it.

And here's some ways how - Go 'ed Arabella
It seems ages since we reported on Arabella's wonderful book, 'Culture of Capital' for entrepreneurs and wannabe entrepreneurs. It's out now and all the details on how to get it are below ...brilliant stuff.

Ouch!
What's all this about? Good way to push our downtown business out to edge city business parks...in Leeds, Bristol, Swindon, Optima .. etc. Hmmn. Most business friendly city?

Getting down and dirty in downtown Liverpool
Friends of St James (the gardens below our Anglican Cathedral) have invited more volunteers to join their great downtown venture.


Fascinating setting, even more fascinating history.

The Friends work every Saturday morning in St. James', rain or shine, between around 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Visit their website, sign up for the newsletter and please do go along when you can. The Friends also host a varied series of events in the gardens.

What's your ideal downtown home?
St George's Hall holds Liverpool's 'Ideal Home Show' this weekend, 8th-12th April which reminded us that our planners obsession with form and roofline has lost loads of opportunities for downtown to exploit its topography and give hundreds more downtown residents the chance to have roof gardens, terraces and balconies with spectacular views across downtown and the Welsh Hills. Tiered buildings also look better, don't you think?


Prospect Point headed 'down town'!

Surely a more elegant solution could be found than the types of 'box-slabs' which are appearing all over our hills headed downtown? Duke St and now Oldham St have been made to suffer this style at the demand of our 'heritage aesthetes' ...sad!

Fair trade, fair enough
Downtowners will be pleased to note that Liverpool City Council have launched a site telling you what fair trade products are available and where you can get hold of them.

fairtradeliverpool also has lists of cafes, restaurants and shops etc that are 'fair trade friendly'.

Wraps come off
With the external scaffolding being removed from the Albany Building in Old Hall St over the last few weeks, we can now see what all the fuss was about... a great downtown building.


Albany Bdg - well restored, go and take a look

Stretching the point
This site has made passionate pleas with regards to the value of street trading to the downtown dynamic, which, of course, we maintain, but it seems that some folk can't help themselves in perpetuating the impression that such practices (and/or practitioners) are shoddy and somehow seedy.


Church Street, now emptied of street traders

The vast majority of downtowns stall holders are good entrepreneurs who provide an excellent service, that could be broadened if more pitches where allowed throughout downtown. But!

Downtowners should boycott any stalls which are exploiting the fad for wrist bands by selling at a profit ones whose message is part of a charitable campaign. Stick to the authorised outlets for such items.

We note that the new pitches in Parker/Elliot St are still obscenely large ...How did LCC not notice and rectify this problem?

Liverpool Culture
As the world remembers Pope John Paul II and Liverpool remembers his visit to the city in 1982 when one million people came to see him - let's not forget the contribution both Catholics and Protestants make to Liverpool.

In particular, let's take this opportunity to reflect on Bishop David Shepherd who died last month and who with Archbishop Derek Warlock were giants of this city - if you don't know why check this article out.

RIP

More Liverpool Culture
At 3.30pm on Saturday 9th April a bronze plaque will be unveiled to commemorate The Iron Door, one of downtown's many world-famous beat clubs, at 13 Temple Street [see TYKL], off Dale Street. Those interested are welcome to go along.

The date is the 45th Anniversary of the opening of The Iron Door. Excellent stuff and also highlights that reference, not reverence is how to mark past events ...nobody is saying that Liverpool music must only reflect past styles and formats!

WOW, another downtown festival
45 events, 30 writers, thousands of ideas...Lots going on at this years 'Writing on the Wall' festival 23rd-30th April.



Always incredibly popular - last year Noam Chomsky spoke - so you have three weeks' notice. Visit the website and book a place.

Building the base of downtown revival
Another sign that downtown and the city is on the up is the news that downtown companies are again taking on global concerns, amongst them Rathbones.

If Liverpool's recovery is to be long term and sustainable then growth in our commercial infrastructure must be comprehensive.

Exchange Flags - Heart of a commercial metropolis.

The story of Liverpool's defining role in shaping patterns of world trade can be read in the web of surrounding streets. Commerce, just like downtowns, evolve, but the fundamentals never do.


Canyons of downtown commerce. Former Adelphi Bank, now a coffeehouse.

From growing local business to international deal making, Liverpool profits from banking, brokerage and insurance re-investing in Liverpool potential in trade, commerce and culture will lead to our international restoration, not grant dependent beancounters.

Lovely downtown ladies
The Steble fountain on William Brown St has now been turned on for the summer. Well scrubbed-up, looking as lovely as ever. (These have to be two of the best downtown pics ever).


Have your next lunch sitting next to these girls, though don't ignore the fellas!
[credit: Ron Formby Scottie press]

Oooh, Isn't that nice!
Downtown's swish 60 Hope St was the venue for the unveiling of the latest themed work by Liverpool-based artist Alex Corina.

'The Three Graces', looking resplendent - but has anybody told them that the water in the dock is freezing?

The Daily Post's Phillip Key was the main guest of a very impressive list of downtown's 'culturati' - Serious metropolitan sophistication - of course we where there!

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland
Be sure to go with Scousers Irishseaexpress.com. We know it doesn't scan as well as the old B&I ad, but still, great news. Sailings will be twice daily from downtown's Pierhead. Call 0870 112 2222

24hr city? Sorry la, weer shut at 'half foower!
Downtown's Central Library is the only one in the country to open til late. Now there are moves afoot to curtail this valuable evening resource. What say visitors when they decide to walk round the 'Cultural Quarter' after tea and find it almost deserted?

Downtown's 'Cultural Quarter' heart of the 24hr metropolis?

Tying themselves in knots, No 728
Related to the story above is the absurd situation where the Victorian Society have objected to plans for a massive expansion and creation of a heritage, genealogy and historic records archive of international significance at Central Library because ...they're "too radical" You would never have guessed would you?!

Grab your banjo and get up the hill
As part of their 10th anniversary celebrations the incredibly active Hope St Association have organised a special concert evening for 13th June at the Philharmonic Hall in downtown Hope St.

A new work has been commissioned as the highlight (see our events page for details).

All excellent stuff, though better still - the Phil want to hear NOW from amateur orchestral players and adult singers who would like to join them for this concert email Minako Ueda or call 07845 570 277

Fancy a trip to downtown Lille?
British Urban Regeneration Association, BURA, have arranged a study visit to Lille, last year's capital of Culture.

Great series of events and excellent contacts to be had for downtowners ...should be fun! Download for more details [word]

Downtown revival must be open to all
The whole world is taking advantage of new approaches to downtown growth. Downtown is once again seen as somewhere to celebrate. Liverpool is enjoying the seeds of what may be a sustained rebirth.

Significant wealth is being created, money's being made and business is improving the downtown buzz once again.


Liverpool's 'new Skyscrapers'

It is fantastic to hear talk (and more) of skyscrapers, see buildings used that have lain empty for decades and tens of thousands of new downtown residents filling the place; OUR CITY.

We must though be aware that there remain serious issues in downtown areas like Holy Cross, Everton, Little Italy, and many parts of L1, L3 and L8.


Creative nous and entrepreneurial spirit is all around us, indeed, some of our most talented downtown kids will likely be found in places like here.

Communities should be equipping themselves (and being helped to do so) to be able to take advantage of these chances. Our next e-digest will have some contacts that may help people to do so.

Downtown creatives; protect your identity!
Liverpool and JMU are co-hosting a half day seminar Wednesday 20th April 2005 1.15pm - 6.00pm for those involved in the creative sectors. IP protection and all that - Go to our events page then to their website for further details.

Absolute hotbed of creativity
Downtown is the centre of civic life, the city's cultural dynamo, the creative heart of our mighty metropolis. It draws the greatest talents and provides most of their opportunities. It is where we meet and it is a magnet to students and youth.

Is 'Dot Perkins' etc, sufficient? Will downtown thrive by comparing itself to, and trying to compete with, shopping malls and business parks?

Or are they something completely different. Do we in Liverpool appreciate the 'downtown dynamic'? These issues and more, are still not being seriously appraised.

In Memoria e Amicizia
Accolga favorevolmente tutti i ventilatori di Juventus a Liverpool 1985>2005 RIP