A GROUP has been set up to exploit the economic and tourism potential of Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront.
Organisations forming the Liverpool Waterfront Partnership will create a business plan funded by individual members to deliver marketing and promotional campaigns and improvements to the facilities and infrastructure of the strip, from Princes Dock to Kings Dock.
They believe the time is right to invest in developing the waterfront as a global leisure and business destination.
Members from the public and private sectors include regeneration agency Liverpool Vision, Liverpool City Council, Merseytravel, The Mersey Partnership, Peel Holdings, the Albert Dock Company and the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre and
Group chair, Vision chief executive Jim Gill, said: “The last five years have seen a dramatic transformation on the city centre waterfront.
“New developments at Kings Dock, Mann Island and the Pier Head are combining with established attractions at the Albert Dock to create a waterfront of genuine international quality.
“The new partnership will enable members to exploit their collective strength to drive further improvements, market the area in a co-ordinated manner, and attract world-class events, with major benefits for the overall economic wellbeing of the city.”
He said the waterfront could play a vital part in the continued development and evolution of the city’s business and leisure tourism offer.
Liverpool council leader, Cllr Warren Bradley, added: “Our waterfront is, for many people, the defining characteristic of the city, but it is only in the last 10 years or so that we have managed to secure the necessary investment in order to make the most of this asset.
“The formation of the Partnership is a signal that we are ready to take the next step in the development of the waterfront as a world-class destination.”
Liverpool’s Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre has attracted thousands of visitors and millions of pounds in investment since it opened on Kings Dock last year.
Its chief executive, Bob Prattey, said ongoing development at the dock can create further potential: “The decision to place a giant Ferris wheel adjacent to the Echo Arena is a good example of where we can enhance the offer and draw even more visitors.”
