At the heart of it all - downtown culture celebrated
Whilst remembering that festivals are just the 'icing on the cake' for groups and activities that thrive downtown year-round, there are a few noteworthy ones taking place soon.

Amongst loads of other things we have
Comedy Festival
HUB Festival of street culture

and later in the year
Irish Festival
Food & Drink Festival

Get along and support the festivals, but more importantly value their role in adding quality to Liverpool's downtown creativity and culture?
Some of the information came from our friends at the Picket

Meanwhile... Take a detour into the Anglican cathedral to view the small exhibition on proposals for a 'glass bridge' intended to span the gap over St James' Gardens, from Hope St to the east entrance of the monumental building!

Subtle changes...
Regulars will notice a few subtle changes to this page; we've built a whole new page which will load faster in your browsers; together with a brand NEW search facility (that really works!). More changes sitewide coming soon.

Changing face of downtown - in pictures
We said ages ago that we are trying to build up a gallery of downtown, We are still trying to sort this out, so in the meantime see what the pros do with a fantastic urban canvas.

Princes Dock last winter. By time this winter comes it will be radically different again! [credit: Liverpool Pictorial]

Uh, oh keep an eye out on this
icliverpool this morning reports that Merseyside Police are considering moving their headquarters from downtown Canning Place.

All downtowners should watch how this story develops, as what has not been said may become as important as what has.

Last month we highlighted comments by our Chief Constable to the effect that the headquarters would not be moved from downtown.

So why has this story appeared again? Is misguided 70's style planning ideology [that sees it as attractive to move out of town] behind continuing pressure - or is it really just a security issue? Is it just a public sector spend-fest in the making - or is it something a little more 'Regional'?

Fine, if they need to move to another downtown site, but anything else should cause concern amongst us who assumed that at least some of the new thinking being applied around the world to downtown growth had sunk in here. As we say though, something more sinister may be afoot!

Two downtown entrepreneurs to be proud of
Cains are busy building an industrial empire, latest example of their pride in Liverpool is a rebrand of one of their best selling brews.

Why the obsession with 'that site'?
Concerns have been raised about NML's proposals for a museum on Mann Island. One councillor states that he would rather see an ice rink, whilst others have their own pet ideas - Great.

"Oh, what shall we have on our village green" Get a life! [credit 3XN]

Let's have them all? But let's set out a plan that creates routes around the whole downtown area where, at most, every 300 yards, there is a major cultural or amenity facility ...like in every good downtown!

What's the bloody obsession with having every idea someone has with putting it at the Pierhead?

Downtown getting groovier - man
We have had reports that the Summer of Love exhibition, showing at the Tate Gallery was good, so we took a trip down to the waterfront facility to see for ourselves - yep!

Work profiles amongst other icons, posterworks, and centres on New York, Liverpool, London and, of course, San Francisco.

Well - Can you make sense of it?
Hands up, all those who thought from all the spin that Merseytram was a done deal?

Government support, builders tied into savvy 'carry the burden of extra costs' contracts - just the cat fight between council officers and quango beancounters to sort out! Utilities work under way. That was the impression that was given months ago.

Will they be able to 'do an LFC' and pull the project out of the fire? Manchester did it - How united are our middling talents - are they metropolitan minded enough to care? Trams are an excellent means of transport for compact, mid-to large sized cities.

We can see you - clean up that mess
Downtown based Radio City have joined a campaign urging people to care for their urban environment.
As they are the country's most successful commercial radio station they should have quite an impact ...and remember, from that high up they can see everyone dropping littler downtown!

Celebrating downtown 2
After the really successful Downtown Week last week June continues with a great programme for Architecture Week 2005 - a national event which this year has plenty to keep Liverpool urbanists busy!
 
 
17th-26th June 2005
Downtown Highlights
Backcracks and Jiggers: lessons in urban dynamism
Join the Downtown Liverpool team this evening, 18:30 GMT for a tour through the sidestreets, alleyways and passages of Old Liverpool - with perhaps some lessons for the New. Meet outside Corn Exchange, Fenwick Street. Until 19:30 followed by drinks.

Courtyard Architecture in Arab Cities
As part of Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival 9 - 23 June Dr Magda Sibley, Liverpool University, gives a talk at World Museum Liverpool, 12:30 on 23rd.

Sir Terry Farrell
Internationally known architect and urbanist at RSA/RIBA Lecture, 18:00-20:00, 23rd at Tea Factory. email for invites.
Neutral Impact Architecture?

Neutral impact architecture?
Another walk from Downtown Liverpool - join us at the Metropolitan Cathedral piazza 12:00-13:30 on the 23rd for a walk to the Pier Head.

Shrinking Cities
A talk from the architects responsible for the herd of cows currently grazing in downtown Toxteth! 23rd, 8pm RENEW rooms. email for invite

e-space Lab
Artists Philip Courtenay and Peter Hatton explore with the Bluecoat team how spaces can be made into places through activities of everyday life [info] 25th all day.

Urban Intervention workshop
Cecilia Andersson calling for 10 participating artists to work in otherwise locked up buildings in downtown Liverpool. email her for info

Up On the Roof
A roof top hop across the city centre to view the changing face of Liverpool, with Peter Rix of Liverpool Vision email. 24th 10:00-14:00.

and we love this one!:
Tea, Biscuits And A Natter About The State Of Architecture
'Why not come and meet others to discuss the delights/torments that is light, form and space, over cup of tea and chocolate disgestives'
22nd-26th, 15:00-17:30 at bunker discussions, 1 Purser Grove, Wavertree.

and lots lots more! check out the Arch Week website click 'Find' and type 'liverpool'

Across the pond, the proper way!
Flights between Liverpool and New York City could be in place by summer of 2006.

This a fantastically important link is of much more than symbolic value. Lobby for it, then go and do business over there - they like scousers. We will keep you informed as this one develops.

"Hello, Is that the Ramblers Society?"
Ever at the fore of the communications revolution, you will be glad to hear that we have now re-established contact via a new phone link.

Ahead of the game, comfortable with the latest advances in technology

New number is 07910 846 574 So give us a bell on the telephonic communication apparatus?

A tale of international importance
When we came out so vehemently against Liverpool's application (and subsequent designation) to World Heritage Site, some who know us where a little surprised. Many thought that we had disrespected, indeed rejected, one of the greatest stories in world history, namely that of our city.

This was, of course, completely wrong. What we object to is that by taking this particular 'medal' on board we also have to comply to utterly stifling planning and architectural restrictions that will kill any aspirations for future commercial revival if we persist.

We have been proven to know our stuff, as people now acknowledge that suffocating restrictions are indeed central to successful adherence to maintaining the 'site' We knew before the city applied of the massive obligations of WHS, having had a long term interest in these things.

Love of city and an intense pride in Liverpool's internationally significant history and culture runs deep in all involved here. Running just as deeply is our desire to see the city reclaim some significance through any role it may play in future as a prime commercial and cultural entity of international import. It is also our intent to do what we can to help this happen.

Love your City!
There are loads of history initiatives, groups and societies, who record, research and celebrate the mighty metropolis and its defining role in many areas of world affairs.

There are the Friends of Liverpool Monuments and the newly established Liverpool Heritage Forum, but two broader groups that you can actively contribute to are The Liverpool History Society and a research initiative building up to 2007, 'Liverpool 800'. Why not contact them? They want your involvement.

Take some time out, get involved, emerse yourself in our city's history, it may give some clues as to where we go in the future.

Enterprise website going live
A new website aimed at inspiring and helping build a more entrepreneurially savvy community goes on line, though it must have the worst domain name in the history of the net!

Visit merseysideentrepreneurship

Downtown Week ends on a high note
Downtown Weeks last 'extra event' went with a swing, closing Sunday evening with some really classy tunes at the Heart and Soul in downtown Mount Pleasant.

Next June, 2006, Downtown Week will be much bigger, brighter and important to building an unrivalled environment for downtown Liverpool. So get your thinking caps on now with regards to how you can help - and if you're from outside the metropolis, why not consider getting over here for the week?

Well done to everyone concerned, promoting, running events, and especially, those who turned up and supported them!

Hotels boom back on track
After a blip in figures last year that showed vacancy rates increasing in downtown hotels, most recent stats show that we are now back on track.

Excellent news - we felt that the figures released last year where flawed as they did not account for the huge increase in the number of new beds brought on-stream - there hasn't really been a blip at all.

and so is your community forum
After the savage hacking your downtown forum suffered last week (part of an international blitz) long time downtown contributor, Martin Sloman, has responded with a fantastically up to date development update. Check it out. Thanks Martin

Messing about on the river
The 25th Mersey River festival starts today (10th). This is most definitely in the 'not to be missed' category of annual downtown events - enjoy the mighty Mersey, the ships and the old seadogs!

City of the Sea - Celebrating the mightiest of rivers and history's

It took a long time, but...
We cannot summon up the same delirium displayed by certain 'regional voices' today over news that Peel Holdings are to take over the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.

If the city is to undergo any truly meaningful international renaissance we feel that it is vital that control of assets like this should be kept in the city.

Unequivocal, long term assurances about intentions for Liverpool Airport by Peel have not been forthcoming and great caution must be taken with bringing the tens of sq miles of land now available to them onto the downtown/waterfront development market

Outdoor concert went swell
The BBC's live broadcasts of Covent Garden events on the big telly in Clayton Sq went brilliantly last night.
More downtown concerts are planned this summer so be sure to get down early.

"Speak up, we can't hear you"
LDP&E's major Businesslive initiative still has places available at two important workshops.

All taking place in glorious downtown Old Hall St

The first one (Tues) is about mastering public speaking, something most downtowners should undertake, and the second is about inspiring your workforce to peak performance - All good stuff. Call 0151 472 2570 to book your place.

I was there at the premier
Hopes and the Philharmonic host an extremely important concert tonight (Monday) .

Tradewinds is a celebration of maritime, world-beating Liverpool and there is a premier of a fantastic piece of work to boot. Get up there and witness this small piece of Liverpool history? Contact Minako for more details.

Looking past Manchester
Manchester is a great town, with great things going on. It is not Liverpool. On today's Roger Phillips debate, (6th June, part of Radio Merseyside's celebration of Downtown Week) on the future for downtown Liverpool, Liverpool City Council's Assistant Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, said some interesting things (not!) about factoring in the uniqueness of Liverpool and its offer, but he must have mentioned the place half a dozen times.

A simple stroll around this site would reveal a whole world of fantastic downtown initiatives much more imaginative (and successful) than anything we see going on in the UK. Check it out through our archive resource and remind yourselves?

Must be allowed to 'dominate Radio City Tower'
In another excellent coup icliverpool breaks news of plans for a 'New York style' tower, with public viewing gallery, proposed for a major site on Skelhorne St.

Soon to have some company to look up to? Downtown's radio City Tower

As this is in one of only three restricted 'tall buildings zones' we would expect that planning officers encourage Irish developers Chieftain Construction, to go as tall as their intentions, their finances and the market allows? Sad to report that the tower proposed to replace Concourse House has already had quite a number of storeys lopped off - WHY?


Two towers - one to replace Concourse House, this new one will be on site behind, to right [credit webbaviation]

Downtown based architects Falconer Chester have been chosen to do the design - Brilliant!

Entrepreneurs understand that you should never fall in love with the idea - Crap building almost certain to get go ahead
The new museum of Liverpool Life moved onto its next stage today. As we stated at the time of the Cloud fiasco,you can only countenance building on that Mann Island site if you plan a building of stupendous international quality - nobody is proposing one, so why are LCC and 'partners' insisting on pushing this idea?

Is it simply because now that they have had the idea to build a new 'icon' for the city, they can't let it go?

Best thing to do (as they will not allow volume that would make a megastructure commercially viable) is to keep the site open and put what is actually quite a tidy, but 'inappropriate' building by Danish practice 3XN, elsewhere. What do downtowners think?

But the pods are nice
Downtown is to get 7 more hi-tech, interactive pavement pods over the next few weeks. We like these, but if they carried information on ALL of the city's attractions, rather than simply those going on in quangoland then they would be better still.

Come on LCC there are thousands of things going on downtown - help spread the word for everyone.