Member Article

Company formed to promote key Liverpool civic and cultural gems

A ‘task force’ has been created to promote Liverpool’s St George’s Quarter, home to a unique collection of museums, art galleries, theatres, memorial gardens, concert rooms and civic halls which form a major part of the city’s World Heritage Site.

Together, the attractions within the Quarter draw more than six million visitors a year.

The area is also Liverpool’s gathering point in times of celebration like the opening night of European Capital of Culture year and the Giants parade, as well as more sombre occasions such as the vigils for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster and the annual Remembrance Day services.

Now representatives from the venues, including public sector partners, have teamed up to launch the St George’s Quarter Community Interest Company (C.I.C).

Acting as a task force, the CIC has drawn up a five-year business plan, outlining a ten-year vision to promote, animate and regenerate this quarter of the city.

In the past decade, the St George’s Quarter has benefitted from almost £250million of regeneration to several buildings including St George’s Hall itself, Liverpool Playhouse, Walker Art Gallery, Empire Theatre and Lime Street station.

Currently work is on-site at the Royal Court Theatre, St John’s Shopping Centre and Holiday Inn, with potential redevelopment of the Churchill Flyover.

The C.I.C has been established in response to Liverpool city council’s masterplan – the Strategic Investment Framework (SIF).

This blueprint for the city centre’s future has highlighted the quarter as a key economic driver with a major revamp necessary if HS2 comes to Liverpool.

Members of the C.I.C have run two successful family fun days to mark St George’s Day and launched an app to promote the hundreds of events that attract millions of people each year to the Quarter, such as Light Night and the John Moores Painting Prize.

A major element of the plan is to develop the Quarter as a hub for seasonal events and improve its night time offer, with an overhaul of signage and lighting a key recommendation.

Gilliam Millar, Chair of the St George’s Quarter C.I.C and Chief Exec of the Royal Court Trust, said: ’‘This business plan is a crucial moment in time for St George’s Quarter and for Liverpool as exciting plans are now taking shape under the SIF.

’’The quarter is highly unique and greatly treasured by the people of Liverpool and visitors alike – it is in so many ways the soul of the city.

’’In this era of austerity and public sector cuts it is time that we in the private sector stepped up to the plate to act as custodians of this Quarter – much in the way our Victorian counterparts did in creating it and bequeathing us all such wonderful spaces.

’’We all have one thing in common, the desire to improve this area for local communities, tourists, businesses and particularly for families – especially in the evening.

’‘This business plan is the first step on a long journey but it is a vital one in ensuring the voice of this Quarter is heard and plays a vital role in its future development.’’

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “I’m delighted this important partnership has been developed to focus on the future of one of the city’s most important historical and cultural areas.

“This task force brings together people from the public and private sector which can only benefit the Quarter as we all strive towards doing everything we can to make it an even more desirable area for residents, tourists and business people to visit, enjoy and invest in.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .