BID funds more public realm works

A £1.4m scheme to revamp the public realm in Liverpool’s commercial district is entering its final phase of activity.

After recently completing an upgrade to Leather Lane, Bixteth Street and Old Hall Street, a 12-week programme is now underway to transform Edmund Street.

The works are funded by the Commercial District Business Improvement District and Liverpool City Council.

North John Street and Eberle Street will also be improved, with work scheduled to begin in January and finish in April.

The upgrades are being carried out by Amey and involve improving footways and kerbs, road resurfacing, tree planting, improving street lighting and decluttering street furniture.

The Commercial District BID has invested £900,000 in the two-year scheme, raised via a BID levy on businesses, and this has been matched by the city council which will in addition invest a further £500,000 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 with the progress so far.’’

David Colvin, partner at Matthews & Goodman, the property surveyor on Edmund Street, said: “It is rewarding to see the improved and modernised Commercial District taking shape following the recent upgrades. The works are currently taking place on our doorstep on Edmund Street and we are more than happy to put up with the minor disruption in anticipation of the finished results.”

The public realm project is part of a wider four-year programme of works across the city, which includes a new city centre connectivity scheme including 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.

The Liverpool BID Company is currently drafting a business plan to develop the Commercial Business District up to 2021. The BID will be seeking a renewed mandate at a ballot of local firms in March 2016.

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Great LGBT theme for Eberle Street with lights, pictures in Echo – ‘..over the rainbow!’

By PAB

Agreed. Vive la difference!!

By Paul Spratt

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below