Visitors to Liverpool can experience the ‘Liverpool Culture Mile’ walk under plans proposed by Liverpool BID Company. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool BID Company says a new ‘Liverpool Culture Mile’ could enhance the visitor experience in Liverpool city centre.
This is a potential new walking route linking St George’s Plateau with the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool emphasising heritage, culture and the arts within the city centre.
At a launch event this week, civic leaders joined business and cultural activity to explore a proposed route, with artistic interventions along the way.
It is part of a project driven by Liverpool BID Company called Liverpool Cultural Threads Initiative, exploring Liverpool’s culture through its streets.
This is helping to find ways to tell the story of the city’s history, its modern culture, such as music or contemporary art through key locations.
On this first mile long walk this includes, the oldest laid out square in the city centre Williamson Square, and its potential for reinvention through animation and Bluecoat Chambers, the oldest building in the city centre and the UK’s oldest arts centre.
It also takes in Hanover Street and Paradise Street and Royal Albert Dock, which has an important role in the city’s maritime and wayfaring past and place in modern Liverpool.
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Internationally, there is a model for creating cultural routes and cultural districts.
“Instead of having a top-down approach to regeneration it is about exploring ways as a city that we can repurpose and redefine areas.
Making the city a place for everyone here, whatever their role in the city. I am excited to see this project launch and for the conversation to begin.”
READ MORE: Liverpool sees return of amphibious dock tours
READ MORE: Liverpool Costa franchise sees revenues pass £10m
Building on an international model of cultural districts and cultural routes, Liverpool’s Cultural Threads Initiative is an innovative and creative approach to urban regeneration.
Routes rich with history and culture, brimming with art and commercial interest side by side, these areas have the power to bring communities together, to enhance the public realm and cultivate local identity.
It can inspire pride in art and artists, reflecting the importance of today’s generation of creatives as they rub shoulders with those of the past.
Underused spaces are given purpose and attention, stories are given a wider spotlight and are tied together to give greater meaning, businesses can benefit from the growth in footfall and character.
Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council added: “This is an excellent initiative, delivered by the Liverpool BID Company that showcases the city’s heritage and public spaces.
“The cultural offer linked with the heritage in this city is second to none. This International model of cultural routes will continue to develop growth with the city.”