A £1.4m scheme to revamp the public realm in Liverpool’s Commercial District enters a new phase of activity next week.
After recently completing an upgrade to the historic Leather Lane, a 10 week programme is beginning today Tuesday, 1st September to transform Bixteth Street.
The works are part of a non-stop schedule to upgrade several other key city centre streets, including (with approximate start dates):
• Old Hall Street Mid Oct – Early Nov
• Edmund Street 19 Oct – 4 Jan
• North John Street 11 Jan – 28 Mar
• Eberle Street 11 Jan – 4 Apr
The upgrades are being carried out by Amey and involve improving footways and kerbs, road resurfacing, improving street lighting and rationalising street furniture.
The Commercial District BID has invested £900k in the two-year scheme, raised via the 1% BID levy on businesses, and this has been matched by Liverpool city council which will in addition invest a further £500k to upgrade Water Street in 2016.
Jim Gill, Chairman of the Commercial District BID, which represents more than 850 businesses, said:
“Upgrading the public realm is a critical part of a much wider programme to enhance the experience of the Commercial District and its appeal as the place to do business in Liverpool. Improving connectivity within the District, be it upgrading roads to improving broadband speeds, is a major goal of the BID as it will stimulate growth and investment and we’re delighted we have the support of the city council to help us achieve this.’’
Colin Sinclair, Director of Property Marketing at Bruntwood, which has completed a multi-million pound upgrade to the Cotton Exchange, which sits on Bixteth Street, said:
“As a major investor in the Commercial District we are pleased to see these transformational public realms works. It’s a great example of public and private sector working together to create an environment where businesses can grow and prosper, creating jobs and so benefitting the whole Liverpool economy.”
The public realm programme is part of a wider four year programme of works across the city, which includes a new city centre ‘connectivity’ scheme including new and improved signage and lighting, dedicated coach parking, more priority for pedestrians and cyclists and a review of bus routes to reduce delays (to be delivered from 2017-2019).
Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration and transport said:
“These works are a vital step in improving the experience of the Commercial District. It will make a considerable difference to businesses and other city centre users and shows our commitment to working with the BID Company to improving the Commercial District.”
The Liverpool BID Company is currently seeking ideas and suggestions from businesses on what they would like to see happen in the Commercial District over the next 5 years. The Commercial District BID is drafting a business plan to develop the district up to 2021 and has undertaken a series of workshops and its first BID Roadshow to garner feedback. It will be seeking a renewal ballot in March 2016.
Businesses are also encouraged to fill in an on-line questionnaire at www.liverpoolbidcompany.com or tweet suggestions to @LpoolBIDcompany using the hashtag #YourBIDYourSay