Liverpool medieval streets makeover begins
Six medieval streets will undergo £1.4m of improvements over a two-year period, as part of a programme to improve the public realm in Liverpool city centre.
Leather Lane, which connects Dale Street to Tithebarn Street, is the first of the streets to be upgraded, with a five-week programme now on site.
Works include improving footpaths, lighting and street furniture.
The other streets to be upgraded are:
- Bixteth Street – work to begin late July
- Old Hall Street – work to begin late September
- Edmund Street – work to begin mid-October
- North John Street – work to begin early January 2016
- Eberle Street – work to begin early January 2016
The Commercial District BID has invested £900,000 in the programme. The funding, raised via a 1% BID levy on businesses, has been matched by Liverpool City Council, which is also planning to invest a further £500,000 into Water Street in the following year.
Jim Gill, chairman of Liverpool’s Commercial District BID, which represents more than 900 businesses, said: “This multi-million investment in the public realm has been a big priority for the Commercial District BID.
“These improvements will further enhance the appeal of the Commercial District as the place to do business in Liverpool.”
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 with 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 seeking ideas and suggestions from businesses on what they would like to see happen in the commercial district over the next five years. The Commercial District BID is drafting a business plan to develop the district up to 2021. It will be seeking a renewal ballot in March 2016.
