MIPIM 2008: Prescott sings Liverpool’s praises
Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott publicly demonstrated his personal support for Liverpool when he visited the city's stand at MIPIM in Cannes.
Prescott, who sailed out of Liverpool for 10 years when he was working on Cunard liners, posed with one of the Superlambanana sculptures on display at the stand. He then told delegates that he was delighted that the city once again had a cruise liner terminal, and thrilled to see the success of the working partnerships between the public and private sector that have helped, and continue to help, Liverpool's physical and economic renaissance.
He said: "Liverpool has never lost its spirit, but it has sometimes lost its way.
"Not now. It knows where it's going – public-private partnerships, more people employed, confidence in the city. The fact it's European Capital of Culture completes it. Liverpool has always seemed special. It's a great city."
Also during the day, Sir Michael Lyons, chairman, English Cities Fund cited the fund's work in Liverpool as an successful example of 'place-shaping' when he delivered a talk about the future of local government in cities to the property festival.
He said: "This is an important year for Liverpool and the English Cities Fund has been delighted to support the city in reshaping itself to take full advantage of this opportunity and the future.
"Our mixed use development at St Paul's is an example of place-shaping in practice and would not have been possible without the support and vision of the strong partnership which is driving Liverpool into the future."
Flo Clucas, executive member of Liverpool City Council, and Duncan Sunderland, managing director of Inpartnership, also addressed delegates yesterday to detail the public-private partnership's regeneration plans, as revealed yesterday on Place North West.
To end the day's events, Jim Wilkie, deputy chief executive at Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council presented recently announced plans for a luxury golf resort in Hoylake.
