Opinions sought on Liverpool’s Chinatown upgrades
Plans for celebratory stone lions, improved pedestrian access between Upper Pitt Street and Great George’s Square, playground facilities, the creation of a commemorative garden, and the installation of a red maple ‘wishing tree’ all feature in the city council’s vision for the area.
Liverpool City Council hopes that the project, which could be completed by early 2026, will attract more visitors and investment to the neighbourhood. A consultation on the proposals will run until 31 March.
Enhancements to the public realm centre around the installation of two stone lion statues, gifted to Liverpool by the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester, to highlight the 25th anniversary of the Liverpool-Shanghai sister cities relationship.
The outline plans have been developed with local community group support in collaboration with the University of Liverpool Architecture School.
Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for economy and growth, Liverpool City Council, said: “We are hugely proud of the city’s Chinatown, which is the oldest in Europe and has huge potential.
“We want to revitalise it so it is somewhere that the local community and Liverpool residents are equally proud of, as well as being somewhere tourists can spend time.”
He continued: “When combined with our ambitions for the previously stalled site at Great George Street and the work on the new Baltic Station, this is a really exciting time for this part of the city centre.”
Development around Chinatown has ramped up recently, with plans for a tourist tea room and 25-bed hotel expansion exemplifying the international interest in the area. Liverpool City Council also recently acquired the site of the stalled £200m New Chinatown development out of administration.
Tang Rui, Chinese consul general in Manchester, added: “The stone lions in Chinese culture are actually a symbol of prosperity, so we hope that these pair of lions will bring good luck and showcase a new start for this beautiful, historic Chinatown.”
You can access the consultation at: liverpool.gov.uk/chinatowndevelopment
Can they not just press ahead with this and put the real focus on the acquired Great George’s Square. If they just sit on this land what different are they to the cowboys from beforehand
By Anonymous
Does a couple of stone lions and maple tree really need a consultation? No wonder nothing ever gets done in Liverpool.
By Anonymous
We used to have the consul here in Liverpool , as well as many others, but the power has shifted down the M62.
I am bemused as to why this needs a consultation just to make a few enhancements, albeit welcome, but can`t they just get on and do it. The main issue for Chinatown is to find a developer to resume the Chinatown Project and get the aprtment blocks built that will boost the local population which then provides footfall for local businesses to stay buoyant. The recent New Year celebrations was one of the best ever and gives massive hope for the future of this area.
By Anonymous
Why do they always have to consult on everything even this small, it just slows projects up and allows random complaints all the time?
By Man on a bicycle
Small ideas, Small ambition.
By Jeff
Of course the incredibly visionary people at Liverpool City Council never thought for one minute that an area for adult fitness might be beneficial in the square, with a designated space for Tai Chi and other exercise equipment.
By Anonymous
Village life
By Anonymous
hope this is a big success. we need something similar in Manchester. get rid of the car park in the centre of Chinatown and turn it into a garden
By Anonymous
No vision or ambition here whatsoever!
By Anonymous