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
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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!
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.