MIPIM | Liverpool must maintain momentum after successful MIPIM

The city council, combined authority, and private sector showed more than a united front in Cannes, demonstrating it has a clear plan to deliver a bright future after a period of gloominess.

There is a renewed confidence in the city’s leadership after a difficult few years. Nuala Gallagher and Sophie Bevan in the city council’s regeneration team, as well as Leader Cllr Liam Robinson, were priased by delegates throughout the week for bringing much-needed stability to the city.

Aileen Jones and Katherine Fairclough, head of investment and chief executive at the combined authority respectively, are also seen as safe pairs of hands.

This newfound stability is bearing fruit. Last week the commissioners installed to watch over certain departments within the city council following the infamous Max Caller report announced a loosening of the reins.

In addition, AstraZeneca recently announced its intention to invest £450m in a new facility in Speke, while the government has provided viability funding that will support the delivery of more than 200,000 sq ft of new lab space at Paddington Village.

It was Paddington Village, part of the Knowledge Quarter, that Liverpool came to shout about at MIPIM. The scheme is the jewell in the city region’s life sciences investment zone, which will benefit from £160m of government investment over the next decade.

It has been positive couple of weeks for the city. One of Liverpool’s biggest players said the hard work starts now.

“I think we are all genuinely driven by a hunger to put the past wrongs, right,” said Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Sciontec, the consortium that leads the development of Paddington Village.

“We have created a base. Let’s deliver on what we’ve talked about while we’re out here [at MIPIM] and let’s do it at a pace.”

It is hard to argue that Liverpool has not turned a corner, but there is still a lot to do to instill confidence in the market.

KQ Liverpool’s Colin Sinclair said the hard work starts now. Credit: KQ Liverpool

While the city’s life sciences scene is booming – 66% of Hemisphere One is already pre-let – the city’s leader is determined not to let other areas fall by the wayside.

“The Knowledge Quarter is one of the most exciting development locations in the UK, but it’s got to be part of that wider ecosystem and success of the city centre,” Robinson said.

The Waterfront, where Peel is delivering Liverpool Waters, and the Fabric District, which connects to the KQ, are two areas where the leader is keen to see growth.

Connectivity between these areas is also a focus. City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram is building his campiagn for a third term around transport promises. One idea is a trackless tram to link the city’s growth locations, airport, and football stadiums.

“There’s lots we can do to build on the success of making our city more walkable, livable, and sociable,” Robinson said.

Liverpool must also act to address its chronic shortage of office space in a bid to attract businesses to the city.

There was no update on the 400,000 sq ft Pall Mall office scheme, which has had planning permission since 2019, out in Cannes. However, Bevan, who is the city council’s director of development and major projects, said the focus is not purely on life sciences.

“We are currently working on the regeneration and investment strategy that will map out the city in its broadest context, but also looking ahead for the next five to 10 years at where the opportunities are,” she said.

“They will obviously be aligned to life sciences but also other sectors within the industry, such as professional services, or digital creative services as well. None of these sectors work in isolation from each other, they complement each other, and they create jobs.”

A city with Liverpool’s recent history will always be open to criticism and not everything that needs to be achieved can be done over night.

Bevan acknowledged there will be “bumps on the road” as Liverpool continues its improvement journey. After a dark period, the city seems well-placed to overcome them.

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