Liverpool wasn’t always the thriving city it is today.
The 1970s and 1980s brought economic difficulties in all of Britain, but prominently so in Liverpool. It had some of the highest unemployment rates in the country, tons of factory closings and thousands of people leaving the city.
The mid-1990s finally saw some turnaround, with a drastic economic revival coming from billions of pounds spent on improving the city, attracting jobs and increasing tourism.
The Liverpool economy is still rapidly improving, as it is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK.
Below are some of the efforts Liverpool has taken to become the city it is today:
Regeneration Efforts
Liverpool has been going through a ton of regeneration efforts to upgrade the city drastically.
As these projects are completed over the next several years, property values are sure to rise to reflect these improvements and the rising demand to live there.
Here are some of the regeneration projects occurring.
Better Roads
Liverpool will be spending £500 million on improving its roads.
Their goal is to improve key routes that are in poor condition and have lots of traffic.
This project will likely cause some disruptions in the short term but will have considerable benefits in the long run.
The Anfield Project
Anfield is where Liverpool FC plays, and the stadium and surrounding areas are undergoing a significant renovation.
The project has been going on since 2012 and is headed by a partnership of Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Football Club and Your Housing Group.
The project seeks to create an attractive environment around Anfield by:
• Adding new and refurbished housing
• Expanding the stadium
• Developing a new public square with retail and commercial premises
• Revitalizing high street
Water Regeneration
Liverpool has some beautiful waterfronts, and Liverpool Waters is going through a massive regeneration project.
Liverpool Waters will see 60 hectares of historic dockland regenerated, creating a £5.5 billion world-class, high quality, mixed-use development.
This will provide 1.5 million square meters of floor space, encouraging a significant increase in Liverpool’s cultural and business offerings.
It’s a 30-year project that is a major part of Peel Investments’ £50billion ‘Ocean Gateway’ project to regenerate its land and assets fronting the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey.
The site is also adjacent to Ten Streets Creativity District, which is revitalizing historic docklands over the next 15-20 years.
The Liverpool Knowledge Quarter
The Liverpool Knowledge Quarter is an area that contains the city region’s key partners, creating an environment that inspires innovation in science, technology, education, health, and culture, among other fields.
It seeks to support the growth of new innovative businesses and promote programs that invest in research and its 54,000 students.
There are already £1billion of new developments underway, one being the Paddington Village expansion site, which includes facilities such as RCP North, Rutherford Cancer Centre and Liverpool International College.
Liverpool One
Liverpool One is a massive £960 million shopping centre built in 2008.
It has more than 170 shops, bars and restaurants spread across five districts in the hear of Liverpool City Centre.
Millions of people visit Liverpool One, and it is a big tourist attraction.
Capital of Culture 2008
In 2003, Liverpool won the right to be named Capital of Culture for the year 2008.
They spent five years planning events that left a lasting impact on the city.
Some of the events were:
• Liverpool The Musical
• Holocaust Memorial Day
• British Dance Edition
• Three Sisters On Hope Street
• Viennese Balls
• Art in the Age of Steam
• Fragrant Liverpool
• Streets Ahead
• Liverpool Sound Concert
• Streetwaves
• The Open Golf Championship
• Carnival Weekend
• World Firefighter Games