Although my heart sank a little when Liverpool One was first mooted, thinking it would be a soulless mall, somehow it’s been a great success, largely I think because it links all the different parts of the city centre together, and can be approached from many directions, and isn’t claustrophobic as it is open to the sky.
Also, because the shops are open late, shoppers and theatre-goers are milling about with pub-goers etc, and office workers which means the city feels alive from early morning to very late.
From my point of view, if the Grosvenor Group had the vision and put up the money, they are entitled to some profit, and I’m a socialist!
Great article, examines all the pros and cons, and made me think twice about what we want OUR City to be, and what we can actually afford at the time of construction. I remember what was there before, it wasn't good. Liverpool One isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it is immensely popular with the hordes.
Who knows what shape the City will be in around 235 years time?
Liverpool without Liverpool 1 is unthinkable! Where would we have to go be able to find the big name shops? Liverpool’s regeneration started when the city won the City of Culture and continues with Liverpool 1
Capital of Culture? A year long non event with no lasting legacy Whenever we challenged about the city's problems the then council leader would screech *Capital of Culture" until 2009 came. Liverpool One was coincidental with the C of C It is sucking the life blood out of older retail areas. T J Hughes is leaving London Road Remember before L1 there was St Johns., Cavern Walks, Clayton Square and the much delayed MetQuarter . Debenhams gas gone, as have other national chains like BHS, Gap and TopShop. L1 has come at a price
There is talk about Liverpool Waters, which may be engulfed by the Irish Sea if climate change forecasts are correct. Ten years after all these pie in the sky plans (the world tallest skyscraper anyone?) the land north of Prince's Dock is still derelict (surprise surprise!). Don't mention Bramley Moore dock, which will be the only major f.ootball club next to a sewage plant if Everton doesn't go belly up of course.
I think the areas you have mentioned were in decline before Liverpool One was built. Cavern Walks never seemed fully occupied or successful, St Johns had long become stalls selling the same old crap that seems to be sold on the streets now. Clayton or Met were never 'must go to' places. TJ's just never moved with the times. The internet has changed peoples shopping habits, not L1 hence the demise of retail chains (along with financial shenanigans by owners).
I accept that, and many chains such as C&A, Woolworths , Debenhams and BHS were UK wide closures. But there is a need for a moratorium on further retail centres, hotels and high price apartments or housing.
There is no need or demand for extra retail on the North Docks as it would turn Bootle Strand into a ghost town like the Prescot Shopping Centre (opened 1989) is now.
As usual, a balanced , thoughtful article. You don't have to look far to see a really well planned city. Just head over the Pennines to Leeds which is dotted with communal spaces, places to 'just be', a real pleasure to visit. The city is unimaginable without Liverpool 1. When it was first mooted there was a design competition, plenty of real consultation and visionary political leadership to see it through. Who now has the imagination to look at Church Street and St Johns? Where are the green spaces we desperately need other than Chavasse Park?
Interesting piece. Whether Liverpool One is a "success" or not needs to be looked at in the context of the effect it has had on the rest of the city centre. I know the "high street" has struggled for many reasons, but in Liverpool, L1 has been a major factor. It shifted the centre away from Church St, meaning Bold St for instance, home of indies, was then further from the centre, and retail has suffered enormously there - the latest casualty being the iconic Rennies - every retail space closing has been taken over by food and drink outlets resulting in an unhealthy balance. John Lewis moving to L1 was disastrous for Church St, Rapid's subsequent move from Renshaw St failed, and Renshaw has never recovered from the knock-on effect. Shocked to hear M&S is also off to "the Mall". The overall effect on Liverpool City Centre and Liverpool-based businesses which keep their profits local has been awful. Combined with the secretive nature of the Grosvenor deal, the ubiquitous chains, the soulless atmosphere, complete lack of progressive environmental planning, and the handing over of the people's streets to the landed gentry, it's a "no" from me. Goddess forbid Bill Addy's vision is "expanded out to the rest of the city centre"! About time more priority was given to indies, culture, community, beauty, greenery and the environment in our city.
Bold St is thriving as a food destination and for example Castle St, as an alfresco drinking and dining area. Cities change, shops change, they always have and always will. I grew up in the 70’s/80’s and Liverpool is a 100 x better now for all those who live and visit here, thankfully.
Liverpool One is fine as it goes and if it’s your thing, but what a shame that we’ve all swallowed the myth that only private money can develop public land. Job done, Tories.
lpool 1 has been a great asset to the city over the past 15 years it has also evolved and changed its far better than the poor looking developments that were there previous from the 60s and 70s all thats required now is the removal of the old police hq and hopefully some quality development
It is a very important part of the City and definitely works well for all - although maybe the open park on the top could be more inclusive. There could have been a market area too but I suppose they did not want to prejudice St John’s ( that worked well didn’t it? what a sorry state surely the most underwhelming market in any city in the country). Ps the latest fad of calling the Albert Dock area ‘the docks’ is irritating. The docks are where the working ships are and to get to them you go along the dock road!😀
Great article Jack. A central issue for Liverpool.
My own view is that Liverpool One will continue to be a good thing as long as they maintain a healthy balance with the Lord Street/Bold Street areas.
Bold Street, in my view, is doing fine - FACT is close by and it still has a bohemian feel. Lord Street needs to be maintained though and can, sometimes have an end-of-days feel about it.
Great article. Liverpool One (IMO) has been incredibly beneficial for the city. There are retailers based in L1 that would not have considered Liverpool previously and it has allowed the city to punch at a level it should be.
It’s important to remember how poor the retail offering was in Liverpool 15-20 years ago.
The Echo has an artist's impression (European Capital of Unrealised Artists Impressions and Stalled Developments 2023?).This being of the former ABC Carlton Cinema site (derelict for 20 years) which is going to consist of unaffordable apartments and retail units (bye bye Old Swan) what Tuebriok needs- not. How about Council housing? Sorry, not aspirational enough- except for those on a waiting list or homeless.
It’s hardly going to effect Old Swan with a couple of retail units in the bottom. If it wasn’t for the private developer it would be still derelict for another 20 years!
I have a lot of time for and faith in private developers in Liverpool - NOT! Their legacy is the number of stalled projects in the city. Tuebrook has enough retail and Old Swan is only a bus ride away .
Excellent article and some interesting comments. I have been really pleased with how Liverpool One has transformed the city centre. I worked in Steers House, one of the office blocks that occupied that area, in the late 70's and 80's. As was alluded to in the article, those office blocks formed an ugly barrier between the city centre and the Albert Dock area. Now, whenever I visit LIverpool One there is always a stream of people heading from it to the docks via the route alongside the Hilton Hotel. Another thing which appealed to me when the plans were first released was that it was basically a shopping mall with the asociated restaurants, cinema etc., but blended into the city centre. I am glad that Grosvenor decided to spend their billion pounds here instead of elewhere.
Liverpool 1 transformed the city centres fortunes, without a doubt! The old bus station and Moat house hotel where awful communist era looking buildings and I was glad to see them go for what we have now. A beautiful shopping area which opens up to the Royal Albert Dock, Arena,
Convention Centre. It was a master stroke and the city centre has not looked back since. Making Liverpool a shopping destination rather than a shopping backwater. Great article!
Which is all fine as far as it goes, but in demolishing the Bus Station, they then proceeded to aim L1 towards the South of the City and the out of town places which pass through there, as witnessed by the fact that all Public Transport from that area was re-routed to serve L1, while anything from the North of the City was then sent to the Roe St Gyratory or Sir Thomas St, like some kind of afterthought, thus to an extent, meaning a lot of people using those buses wouldn't venture much further than St John's Precinct. Suddenly though L1/Grosvenor, decided to start charging the firms what they saw as too high a fee for parking, which then meant the bus companies said "get stuffed" and then deposited passengers in the middle of Hanover St
Good point......the arena, covention centre and museum of Liverpool were all built around the same time as L1. That whole Liverpool One/dock area is unrecognisable to how it was 20 years ago,
Although my heart sank a little when Liverpool One was first mooted, thinking it would be a soulless mall, somehow it’s been a great success, largely I think because it links all the different parts of the city centre together, and can be approached from many directions, and isn’t claustrophobic as it is open to the sky.
Also, because the shops are open late, shoppers and theatre-goers are milling about with pub-goers etc, and office workers which means the city feels alive from early morning to very late.
From my point of view, if the Grosvenor Group had the vision and put up the money, they are entitled to some profit, and I’m a socialist!
Great article, examines all the pros and cons, and made me think twice about what we want OUR City to be, and what we can actually afford at the time of construction. I remember what was there before, it wasn't good. Liverpool One isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it is immensely popular with the hordes.
Who knows what shape the City will be in around 235 years time?
Liverpool without Liverpool 1 is unthinkable! Where would we have to go be able to find the big name shops? Liverpool’s regeneration started when the city won the City of Culture and continues with Liverpool 1
Capital of Culture? A year long non event with no lasting legacy Whenever we challenged about the city's problems the then council leader would screech *Capital of Culture" until 2009 came. Liverpool One was coincidental with the C of C It is sucking the life blood out of older retail areas. T J Hughes is leaving London Road Remember before L1 there was St Johns., Cavern Walks, Clayton Square and the much delayed MetQuarter . Debenhams gas gone, as have other national chains like BHS, Gap and TopShop. L1 has come at a price
There is talk about Liverpool Waters, which may be engulfed by the Irish Sea if climate change forecasts are correct. Ten years after all these pie in the sky plans (the world tallest skyscraper anyone?) the land north of Prince's Dock is still derelict (surprise surprise!). Don't mention Bramley Moore dock, which will be the only major f.ootball club next to a sewage plant if Everton doesn't go belly up of course.
I suppose Liverpool One HAPPENED at least!
I think the areas you have mentioned were in decline before Liverpool One was built. Cavern Walks never seemed fully occupied or successful, St Johns had long become stalls selling the same old crap that seems to be sold on the streets now. Clayton or Met were never 'must go to' places. TJ's just never moved with the times. The internet has changed peoples shopping habits, not L1 hence the demise of retail chains (along with financial shenanigans by owners).
I accept that, and many chains such as C&A, Woolworths , Debenhams and BHS were UK wide closures. But there is a need for a moratorium on further retail centres, hotels and high price apartments or housing.
There is no need or demand for extra retail on the North Docks as it would turn Bootle Strand into a ghost town like the Prescot Shopping Centre (opened 1989) is now.
Debenhams gas should read Demenhams HAS gone
As usual, a balanced , thoughtful article. You don't have to look far to see a really well planned city. Just head over the Pennines to Leeds which is dotted with communal spaces, places to 'just be', a real pleasure to visit. The city is unimaginable without Liverpool 1. When it was first mooted there was a design competition, plenty of real consultation and visionary political leadership to see it through. Who now has the imagination to look at Church Street and St Johns? Where are the green spaces we desperately need other than Chavasse Park?
Interesting piece. Whether Liverpool One is a "success" or not needs to be looked at in the context of the effect it has had on the rest of the city centre. I know the "high street" has struggled for many reasons, but in Liverpool, L1 has been a major factor. It shifted the centre away from Church St, meaning Bold St for instance, home of indies, was then further from the centre, and retail has suffered enormously there - the latest casualty being the iconic Rennies - every retail space closing has been taken over by food and drink outlets resulting in an unhealthy balance. John Lewis moving to L1 was disastrous for Church St, Rapid's subsequent move from Renshaw St failed, and Renshaw has never recovered from the knock-on effect. Shocked to hear M&S is also off to "the Mall". The overall effect on Liverpool City Centre and Liverpool-based businesses which keep their profits local has been awful. Combined with the secretive nature of the Grosvenor deal, the ubiquitous chains, the soulless atmosphere, complete lack of progressive environmental planning, and the handing over of the people's streets to the landed gentry, it's a "no" from me. Goddess forbid Bill Addy's vision is "expanded out to the rest of the city centre"! About time more priority was given to indies, culture, community, beauty, greenery and the environment in our city.
Bold St is thriving as a food destination and for example Castle St, as an alfresco drinking and dining area. Cities change, shops change, they always have and always will. I grew up in the 70’s/80’s and Liverpool is a 100 x better now for all those who live and visit here, thankfully.
Liverpool One is fine as it goes and if it’s your thing, but what a shame that we’ve all swallowed the myth that only private money can develop public land. Job done, Tories.
lpool 1 has been a great asset to the city over the past 15 years it has also evolved and changed its far better than the poor looking developments that were there previous from the 60s and 70s all thats required now is the removal of the old police hq and hopefully some quality development
It is a very important part of the City and definitely works well for all - although maybe the open park on the top could be more inclusive. There could have been a market area too but I suppose they did not want to prejudice St John’s ( that worked well didn’t it? what a sorry state surely the most underwhelming market in any city in the country). Ps the latest fad of calling the Albert Dock area ‘the docks’ is irritating. The docks are where the working ships are and to get to them you go along the dock road!😀
What happens to Church Street though when M&S move down to Liverpool One this year? That will leave a massive building to be filled
Primark is the magnet in Church street but agree if M&S are moving the new occupant(s) need to be carefully considered
Great article Jack. A central issue for Liverpool.
My own view is that Liverpool One will continue to be a good thing as long as they maintain a healthy balance with the Lord Street/Bold Street areas.
Bold Street, in my view, is doing fine - FACT is close by and it still has a bohemian feel. Lord Street needs to be maintained though and can, sometimes have an end-of-days feel about it.
Great article. Liverpool One (IMO) has been incredibly beneficial for the city. There are retailers based in L1 that would not have considered Liverpool previously and it has allowed the city to punch at a level it should be.
It’s important to remember how poor the retail offering was in Liverpool 15-20 years ago.
The Echo has an artist's impression (European Capital of Unrealised Artists Impressions and Stalled Developments 2023?).This being of the former ABC Carlton Cinema site (derelict for 20 years) which is going to consist of unaffordable apartments and retail units (bye bye Old Swan) what Tuebriok needs- not. How about Council housing? Sorry, not aspirational enough- except for those on a waiting list or homeless.
It’s hardly going to effect Old Swan with a couple of retail units in the bottom. If it wasn’t for the private developer it would be still derelict for another 20 years!
I have a lot of time for and faith in private developers in Liverpool - NOT! Their legacy is the number of stalled projects in the city. Tuebrook has enough retail and Old Swan is only a bus ride away .
Excellent article and some interesting comments. I have been really pleased with how Liverpool One has transformed the city centre. I worked in Steers House, one of the office blocks that occupied that area, in the late 70's and 80's. As was alluded to in the article, those office blocks formed an ugly barrier between the city centre and the Albert Dock area. Now, whenever I visit LIverpool One there is always a stream of people heading from it to the docks via the route alongside the Hilton Hotel. Another thing which appealed to me when the plans were first released was that it was basically a shopping mall with the asociated restaurants, cinema etc., but blended into the city centre. I am glad that Grosvenor decided to spend their billion pounds here instead of elewhere.
Liverpool 1 transformed the city centres fortunes, without a doubt! The old bus station and Moat house hotel where awful communist era looking buildings and I was glad to see them go for what we have now. A beautiful shopping area which opens up to the Royal Albert Dock, Arena,
Convention Centre. It was a master stroke and the city centre has not looked back since. Making Liverpool a shopping destination rather than a shopping backwater. Great article!
Which is all fine as far as it goes, but in demolishing the Bus Station, they then proceeded to aim L1 towards the South of the City and the out of town places which pass through there, as witnessed by the fact that all Public Transport from that area was re-routed to serve L1, while anything from the North of the City was then sent to the Roe St Gyratory or Sir Thomas St, like some kind of afterthought, thus to an extent, meaning a lot of people using those buses wouldn't venture much further than St John's Precinct. Suddenly though L1/Grosvenor, decided to start charging the firms what they saw as too high a fee for parking, which then meant the bus companies said "get stuffed" and then deposited passengers in the middle of Hanover St
Good point......the arena, covention centre and museum of Liverpool were all built around the same time as L1. That whole Liverpool One/dock area is unrecognisable to how it was 20 years ago,
And equally as inaccessible via public transport as it was back then
I suppose it depends on what your individual requirements are but the Liverpool One bus station is close enough for me.
If L S Lowry was alive, I can imagine he could easily used his matchstick creations within one painting to describe what was written in this article.