AS ENDS of years go, we are in uncharted territory. It has undoubtedly been a big one for Liverpool and the rest of the Merseyside region, but it’s been an even bigger one for the world’s economy.

A year ago, when we prepared for the Christmas break, there was an even greater sense of anticipation and excitement because the city’s tenure of European Capital of Culture was finally within reach.

The journey from Winning Bid to Year of Delivery had been a rollercoaster ride of stomach- churning proportions. After what seemed like an age, it was time to silence critics with some action, andŠ time, too, to get a measure on just how businesses round here could expect to benefit from the city’s year on stage.

How things have changed in the space of 12 months.

Understandably, after all they have been through, those in charge of the purse strings and programme for our European Capital of Culture are allowing themselves a degree of mutual back-slapping.

Last week, on BBC Radio Merseyside, they gathered with others from the cultural sector (who have been and plan to be around longer than Liverpool Culture Company) to review their efforts.

And credit where it’s due, they have delivered a seismic shift in perceptions of Liverpool.Š Interestingly, they say, the overseas perception of the city has always been more positive than that of the rest of the UK.Š