"A well rounded body of evidence that has had a great influence on new thinking in the city"
As we prepare to bring this online project to its conclusion we would like to solicit the views of our downtowners and all who regularly use the site by letting us know what areas of the complex 'downtown approach' we haven't described sufficiently. We also invite you to provide some practical support.

We hope that the headline statement (made by one of our more illustrious city Fathers, not in our company we would modestly add, though as it was stated to a public audience, we don't mind being brazen enough to quote it!) is a true reflection of the site's content, as we intend for it to become not only an online archive, but also a useful source of material for urbanists and other city/Liverpool lovers wishing to explore further the dynamics and principles of how good downtowns work. We want to ensure that it is as complete in this nature as possible.

We intend to stop making any more additions to the site by the end of June, so in order to have as valuable an asset as possible we want to hear your comments on any gaps. Also, if you have any pieces that you would like to contribute to the 'Comment' section of the site then please contact us?

Although the initial idea, to establish an independent, wide ranging and objective downtown exploratory, was not able to develop as originally envisioned by Tony Siebenthaler, this online presence has none the less been influential in helping to change perceptions as to what downtown is and how we should view it, more importantly, it has played a central part in changing ideas about downtown's future role and ongoing development amongst policy makers.

It has been a great pleasure, inspiration and privilege for all of us who have been involved in providing you with this online service, as well as the other initiatives it has inspired.

We must stress however, that the members of this initiative will, of course, continue to promote 'the downtown approach' through other campaigns and initiatives, Downtown is the vibrant heart of our mighty metropolis, so will always demand special attention... Onwards and upward - as we say!

We would like to take the opportunity now to thank you all for your support and help over the last three and a half years of its development and implementation.

Downtown's great, don't you just love it!

Once the contract has been signed
Further interesting developments seem to have occurred today (30th May) with regards to Parr St studios. We will of course keep a close eye on things to see how they develop over the week, but we won't be celebrating until the i's have been dotted, t's crossed and contracts have changed hands.

Comrade can you spare a Kopek?
The Sunday Times reports (28th May) that the economy of many of Britain's Northern towns and cities depend more on the public sector than many of the old Sovietised Iron Curtain countries. What an appalling situation?

The report, by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) highlight that 56.1% of 'englandsnorthwest's economy' is dependent on the public purse. It would be interesting to see the breakdown in these figures between Liverpool and Manchester as last years figure for Liverpool was a little over 36%.

We can only warn, as we have often done in the past, that this is an extremely dangerous position in which to put ourselves. 'Capital of Enterprise'? We have some way to go if we wish to claim that title.

An extra bed for the night is always welcome
Opening soon is yet another swish downtown hotel. With the Hard Day's Night, Beatles themed hotel just around the corner in North John St and our first 5* hotel, planned as part of the revised New World Square scheme on Princes Dock, visiting entrepreneurs will be spoilt for choice.

Looking forward to this one opening!

Hotels like the new 62 Castle St form yet another vital part of downtown's armoury as we seek to continue the current boom. The imaginative re-use of downtown's spectacular architectural heritage, intensification and diversity of uses and our downtown repopulation all play their part in ensuring that the boom is sustainable.

Disunity at the Unity?
Keep an eye out on downtown's Unity development as we hear that construction has stopped. If this is true we hope that things are resolved soon as we want to see what those penthouses look like!

Meanwhile
Down on King's Dock the arenas massive central roof span has been erected and is being secured. Be ready to see this swiftly moving project move on to an even higher gear from now on... though maybe be prepared to be underwhelmed by the first 'A' List acts being announced shorrtly!

Trouble at the rumour mill?
Deep unease has descended upon many of downtown's music and creative community with news that plans to save 3345 Parr St studios has failed (for now?) Tom Lang, his community and the complex of creative enterprises that has clustered around this part of downtown is a vital part of downtown's creative dynamic. Somethng is amiss!

Something fishy going on at Parr St?

The group have always been fantastically helpful to many who have approached them, we have had help and support often enough in the past. Send them and email or pop up to the bar and see if there is any way you can help?

A 'Royal' cock up
News that the old headquarters of Royal Insurance (now RSA and based in Old Hall St) in North John St is in a much worse condition than expected. It is estimated that it would cost £10m+ to bring it into a condition where redevelopment could be viable.

As acceptance of WHS was sold to many councillors with the assurance that such a designation would unleash a 'cascade of heritage repair grants' we will see how this promise stands up in the real world. Just think - the WHS mind set has it that the whole downtown area's 'assets' could be maintained with grants and public subsidies instead of commerce (and the changes this nescecitates).

They failed to draw down anything substantial for the repairs to St George's Hall last winter, which where only £800k - let us see if those who bamboozled the city can now come up with the megabucks needed to save this single building?

There's so much to film, we can't make our minds up!
Just a quick reminder that because the Liverpool 48 hr film challenge is a Liverpool project (excellent extra event kindly provided for Downtown Week) it has gained worldwide coverage in the movie press and journals.

So if you are a film maker, or if you know any budding Hitchcocks and Speilbergs, be sure to register for the challenge... lots already have, but how many will complete the task that has been set?

The global community of film makers and experts love the place, but what about our home-grown movie moguls? [credit artinliverpool]

C'mon downtown movie folk, show the world what we're made of!

The Downtown Approach is reflected in the huge variety of 'stuff' we have
One splendid example of the mind boggling array of things that take place downtown is the excellent Conservation Centre on Whitechapel. You can visit the centre, see their work and how they are at the centre of conservation projects from around the world.

Nelson's memorial in Exchange Flags, recently restored at downtown's Conservation Centre

Stop and take a closer look at this stunning piece next time you walk by

It all takes place here folks, right in the heart of old downtown Liverpool.

As is the case with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (currently undergoing a £50m+ expansion up on Pembroke Place), the Conservation Centre is a genuine world leader in it's field. Excellent stuff!

Room With A View©
Here we have a direct invitation to downtowners to take part in a fascinating art project.
 
Do you live in Liverpool and would like to be part of a new art exhibition?
 
I am doing an exhibition which will show the views out of peoples homes in Liverpool to represent a view of Liverpool today, in the here and now socially and physically. As we all know Liverpool is going through massive changes at the moment, some good some not so good.

What's the view from YOUR window? Take part in this fascinating art project

A big city such as Liverpool isn't just museums and designer clothes, shops and bars, but also about you and me and where we live. What do you see when you look out of your bedroom or living room window in the morning?, you may see Birkenhead from the 15th floor in Beetham Tower or Mrs Jones eating here fried breakfast across the road in Toxteth.
 
What ever the view, what ever the area if you are interested please contact me for more details. The only conditions are you must live in Liverpool and live in a house, a flat, and especially, a downtown apartment!

Downtown is buzzing
Check out the ever excellent latest installment of Art in Liverpool. Sign up and visit the events that will be taking place during Downtown Week. Remember DW is a celebration of everything that is taking place now.... everything that is assisting with downtown's long road to recovery. The special buzz downtown is fantastic, though better still is the fact that our revival as only just begun. Play your part in building our renaissance - get downtown and celebrate the heart of the UK's most exciting city!

Downtown creativity at its best
Small downtown organisation 'Liverpool's New Writing Theatre' is hosting a production of Red, by Chris Fittock... and it's going to be outdoors!

Based at the uber cool little downtown Unity Theatre in Hope Place, the group are doing some great stuff. Get along and see the show, we are! More details call 0151 709 4332 or visit the website

Downtown, greatest place for a party
Well done to Barcelona on tonight's great 2-1 win over Arsenal in Paris, brings back great memories for us of a certain night in Istanbul last May.

On loan [credit LFC Toronto]

Will there ever be a better downtown party than this one, last year after Liverpool's stunning European Cup win? [credit BBC Liverpool]

Thanks to both clubs for a wonderful night's entertainment, two clubs who play the beautiful game at it's finest.

As your Mother would say, "Downtown's great, don't you just love it!"
When first trying to describe what Downtown Week was about, and more importantly, how it would work, one weak comparison we used was Mothers Day. Nobody owns it, everyone knows it is a celebration, lot's of business is made from people showing their appreciation for their Mum's... all works great, with no coordinators, facilitators or marketing gurus.

Some flowers may be fine for Mother's Day, but for Downtown Week, bring her down and get her something special?

At the end of the day it doesn't matter where the idea came from, it is a valuable tool as it does what it was set out to do! A good idea is a good idea. So please remember - if you love downtown, if you think it is worth celebrating, if you can see the marketing and business building potential - what ever value you see, the symbolic or the material - then just take it up and use the week... as the old saying goes, Mums are great, take her downtown for Downtown Week to show her how much you care... buy her something nice! Downtown's great, don't you just love it!

We like cities too!
We mentioned scouse forum, 'Yo-Liverpool', a couple of weeks ago. It is growing at a tremendous pace. They have now opened a number forums on development and city living issues and are actively recruiting enthusiastic urbanites. Sign up and give it a go why don't you?

As we have repeatedly stated on these pages, the more people are introduced to and share good urbanist ideas then the stronger the voice for real change in planning attitudes in Liverpool will be... our message to our downtowners - share your wisdom as widely as possible!

Going eco in the CBD
Another example of the real value of web forums and building online communities is that they are great for sharing info. We picked up this link about the latest developments planned for downtown's Central Business District from skyscrapercity - where you can go on to explore what is taking place in cities around the world!

New World - world class that is
News that downtown will get it's first five star hotel as part of the new submissions for New World Sq, comprising a 25 storey tower, 13 storey hotel and 12 storey 'U' shaped block shows what you can do in a buoyant market. It will also help to show what a mistake it was to limit development on Kings Dock in obsessive reference to the Albert Dock (19th C warehousing) and the 'relationship' between the two cathedrals'!

Going up right now. Better than the other heritagised version further south on Princes don't you think?

We think this excellent rendering of the waterfront highlights two facts perfectly; the one mentioned above, as that part of the city is unimpressive, anodyne in the extreme; and the fact that those towers that have been given permission and are highlighted just scream out for more company... don't you think so too?

Majestic liners berthed on the Mersey would look even better with some 'talls' for company [credit the excellent Merchant Navy site. Click to enlarge]

The sad truth of what we have been saying about the needless limiting of development to the perceived needs of 'heritage' is all around us, and only so clearly seen. The saddest thing is that so much has been needlessly compromised, and so many sites already wasted, but new development will STill change the landscape anyway.

What's on the wireless? - the WWW
We received confirmation this week that uber cool downtown creative's watering hole 3345 are now wireless. The latest broadband technology is available for members and visitors, free of charge. Tom Lang playing his part to help move the city on once again.. great stuff.

The cafe at FACT in downtown Wood St is another place where surfing the web is now possible.

As more and more of this infrastructure becomes available the city will be able to reconnect with the world... and from that, who knows? The future's looking rosy.

Liverpool in Pictures
As the city develops more of an independent web presence the better impression folk will get of us. Commercial picture Galleries are one useful way and we have highlighted a number of them on this site over the last three years. take a look at this one and see what you think? The owner has just begun to build the site and aims to add much more in the coming months.

Toxteth pride - now who'd think that darhn sarf?

Where's the Zen?
Thanks for all the responses to our request to let us know what should downtown do about pedestrianisation in the future. A remarkable number of you would like to see streets that are completely closed to traffic re-opened!

Ever eager to ensure the well being of our downtowners, our next invitation is for you to let us know where is best to go, to get away from the ever increasing hustle and bustle? These oasis are essential to good urban life and with the Bluecoat gardens out of action we thought we would find out where everyone goes for some peace and quiet. Email us with your favourite special place and we'll come and find you.... only kidding!

Also, whilst we're being all hippyish with our zen and fair trade, downtowners may like to take a look at this fascinating initiative that seeks to prove the power of positive thinking by putting a whole nation into therapy! If it works for groovy old Glasgow then it will certainly work for us. A real great initiative we are so impressed with, that we are going to raise with downtown community groups is the Green Guerillas movement in Manahttan.

Downtown goes 'Fair Trade'?
It would be nice if we could be sure in the knowledge that everything available in downtown stores came from fairly traded sources, but. In the meantime, do your best to support the movement by going downtown this weekend and see what's going on for World Fair Trade Day?

Of course they can't abide handouts - help folk to make a decent living!

On May 27th downtown sees it's own 'Sustainalicious' campaign & festival at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Mount Pleasant. There will be fair trade products and food as well as a fashion show in the evening. We found reference to the week via a great weblog called Liverblog who have also profiled Downtown Week! Great stuff.

A small matter of the game this coming saturday
Shh!... don't let it be known to widely, but downtowners will be glad to hear that the FA Cup final between Liverpool and West Ham WILL be broadcast on the BBC's Big screen in downtown Elliot St on Saturday.. so now you have no excuse... get downtown, just don't block the pavement?

Downtown entrepreneurs should now be valued more than ever
With news that Telewest's Albert Dock office has transferred their 700 staff over to IBM (who recently closed their Liverpool centre also) and more job threats at Littlewoods we must remind downtowners that long term prosperity are not provided by these types of employment. Inward investment and call centres are now beginning to pull out of the city as many investment cycles are now complete and they are off to greener pastures (relocation grants available).

Expect to see more of these losses in the coming months and years. There is no need for major worries, that is IF the right people in the business community are now encouraged to help shape major economic strategy, i.e. the downtown entrepreneurs who know intimately what is happening to the economy. They also provide most of the jobs that are rooted in the city's well being.

Hope's Downtown Week celebrations cancelled
Sad news that plans for a party to celebrate the completion of public realm works in Hope St and had been specially timed to kick off Downtown Week have had to be cancelled reached us today.

Join the crowds for Downtown Week and play your part in making it even better!

As Downtown Week is a celebration of the vibrancy and creativity that is already building downtown's revival, whilst sad, the loss of one of the extra activities kindly proposed will not effect what is being built over the coming years. What is truly disappointing is that one of the reasons the event had to be cancelled was the cost of the licence required for such events these days... talk about encouraging community engagement in the downtown revival?

The theory of inverse proportionality plays out extremely well in Liverpool. The more agencies and facilitators, culture capacity builders and creative initiatives there are, managed by the public sector it seems, the less creative force is unleashed.. strange?

(anti) tall buildings policy gets the chop!
In a podcast for icliverpool's new online business media TheBusinessWeek.co.uk Council Leader Warren Bradley announced the scrapping of the ultra damaging (anti) Tall Buildings policy. A number of planning policies have been foisted on the city by those with well hidden agendas in the name of celebrating the city's architectural stock - an oxymoron if ever there was!

Tall buildings, waterfront location, heritage buildings, a fantastic combination - Now Liverpool may get some!

We must congratulate the council leader on a brave decision, Cllr Bradley is showing how he understands the full landscape of the city's needs, policy- wise... excellent news... more news on this as the story develops

A downtown address is always good, a fully accessible one is even better
Small community,, voluntary or charitable organisations looking for a downtown office should check out COMTECHSA's Duke St building. A number of spaces are available at attractive rates and the building was comprehensively redesigned a number of years ago to be fully accessible and disability friendly.

As we reported last year, downtown is still woefully hard to get around and many of it's buildings hard to enter for people with disabilities, so a visit may inspire building owners looking to improve access to their premises. Email John Wood for more details.

Yo! want to know about old buildings?
The good folk at 'Yo Liverpool' have been extremely busy compiling two lists for people who wish to know what buildings across the city are listed... and more importantly perhaps, which ones are still NOT!

Well managed downtown historic buildings make up a substantial proportion of listed stock

Whilst there is still a job to save others. This one in London Rd is at last being restored after decades of neglect.

The first one is a comprehensive list off all buildings in Alphabetical order, whilst the second list focuses on the highest graded structures and buildings. Just a cursory glance has revealed a number of surprises, even for us old nerds... this is a fantastic and extremely useful tool!

Roberta's back in town
One of the world's foremost urbanists, Roberta Gratz, is giving a talk at the RENEW Rooms in downtown Wood St (9th May). Check out some of Roberta's work and ideas on the dynamics of vibrant cities and urban neighbourhoods.. we wonder if she would be interested in a position here? Book your place as soon as possible as this is sure to be a sell out.

Summer in the city, don't you just love it!
Downtown really begins to come to life as of this month. On top of the usual mind blowing array of art, culture, music, dance, shopping, business, community, building etc, etc that goes on year-round, summer is the season of festivals and loads of exciting outdoor events. Be sure to come downtown as often as you can, pick up the brochures and support the business.

It's going to be a long, hot downtown summer, especially now that they have removed the 30 year old trees from Church St!

Everything from Africa Oi, mathew St and the festivals of comedy and shopping, right through to the Independent's District festivals and the HUB - downtown is the heart of the UK's most exciting city... and don't you forget it!

A summer of walking, talking and watching; architecture, urbanism and renaissance
Follow the links through the 'City in transition' article at Art in Liverpool. You will see that throughout the summer there are loads of activities aimed at exploring and raising awareness of the processes shaping ours and other cities.

Architecture Week is also coming up in June and a number of events are planned in Liverpool. Check out the website for details.

A taste for downtown style
A new smart card can be obtained that enables you to make savings on meals and other purchases. A collaboration between six of downtown's coolest restaurants, we can see this hi-tech initiative growing more and more. You can buy the smart card online at Your Ticket for Liverpool (quote RES05L) and use this great idea to get downtown even more.

Set your alarms for this one folks!
Tomorrow, Thursday 4th May, at two minutes and three seconds after 1 o'clock in the morning, the time and date will be

01:02:03 04/05/06

That won't happen again for quite some time!

7 O'Clock an all's well!
Right folks, we're back online... apologies for any inconvenience!