Liverpool One draws 200,000 on first day

May 30 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

MORE than 200,000 visitors packed into the city’s new £1bn Liverpool One shopping development on the first day of trading, it was revealed last night.

Shortly after 10.30am yesterday, around 40 shops including the Debenhams and John Lewis department stores, flung open their doors in one of the most eagerly- anticipated events in the city for years.

Last night, Liverpool One chief executive Joanne Jennings said the opening day had exceeded all expectations and the high turnout proved Liverpudlians had already taken the development to their hearts.

In the first half an hour alone of trading at Grosvenor’s new scheme, more than 10,000 people visited the centre as the company “returned the streets” to the city.

Large crowds are also hoped for at the weekend after 1m direct mail shots had been sent out across the North West.

Yesterday was just the first phase to be unveiled, with 15 more shops to be opened in the next fortnight, and the “Grand Opening” on September 30.

At that point, Chavasse Park will re-open, as will the bars and restaurants, the 14-screen cinema and the rest of the centre’s total 160 shops.

Last night, Ms Jennings said: “The first ph ase launch has been tremendous and the people of Liverpool have shown that they have already taken Liverpool One to their hearts.

“Not only was there an amazing turn-out of shoppers at the new complex, but other parts of the city recorded high levels of trade and visitors, too, especially in Lord Street and Church Street.

“The good weather added to the feeling of a special day out as vast crowds enjoyed the free entertainment of fashion shows, dancers, performers, bands and spectacle.

“Today was the first chapter in a story that will unfold every day through to the Grand Opening on September 30,” said Ms Jennings.

Kevin O’Donovan, store manager of Debenhams, said “the crowds have been staggering”.

Margaret Jacques, managing director of John Lewis Liverpool, said: “I’m overwhelmed by the success of today.

“Throughout the day, the customers have constantly been telling us what a magnificent building this is, what stunning stock, and what amazing partners.

“The store has way exceeded expectations and I am delighted, elated and shattered.”

Lord Home, chairman of Grosvenor, led the opening ceremony at the corner of Lord Street and South John Street.

He told the 1,000-plus crowd: “We begin the process of giving back to Liverpool an important part of its city centre.

“We at Grosvenor are delighted to be playing a major part in helping to make this great city ready for the 21st century.

“Our thanks go to you, the people of Liverpool, for enduring the disruption and access restrictions.

“We hope you will agree that it has been worth it as you begin, starting from today, to enjoy the new and refurbished heart of your city.”

He was followed by council leader Warren Bradley, who said the “momentous occasion” meant the city was no longer the poor relation of shopping.

Cllr Bradley said: “This, of course, is a very special year for Liverpool and every week seems to bring a major new development for the city’s heritage.

“Everybody in the city has anticipated this for decades.

“We must not forget the businesses and residents who have remained patient – most of the time – through this development.

“This is about providing lasting employment, new opportunity, greater confidence and optimism, and proof that Liverpool can deliver major projects.

“Let’s celebrate another chapter in Liverpool’s illustrious history. This is not an event or a festival that comes or goes – it is a new part of Liverpool that links the old and the new.”

Liverpool comedian Les Dennis returned to the city as part of a new TV programme he is making to see the unveiling.

He now lives in London, but said the scale of Liverpool’s regeneration was breathtaking.

“It is so exciting and this just looks amazing; it is sensational,” he said.

Liverpool-born architect Terry Davenport, of Building Design Partnership, who masterplanned the development, said he thought people would more fully appreciate it when fully opened in September. “Fundamentally, this is about opening the city centre to the waterfront,” he said.

He described some of the views towards the Albert Dock as his favourite aspects of the layout.

“It has been a big day for me, and very satisfying to see.”

Rod Holmes, Grosvenor’s project director, said: “Liverpool One has always been very close to my heart.

“It was key for us to connect the city and its shopping areas to the waterfront because when we started this project nearly a decade ago the city was quite disparate.

“We’re doing something that’s a far cry from what shopping malls have tried in the past, and for that I am very proud.

“I think some of my favourite bits are still to come.”

Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “It’s just incredible, it’s nice to see so many people enjoying themselves.

“People come to Liverpool rather than some other towns because they feel safe here.

“Liverpool One has not just met people’s expectations but exceeded them.”

Spectacular opening show

THOUSANDS of excited shoppers were treated to a spectacular opening day that mixed fireworks and catwalk models with dancers and dignitaries.

Lord Home and council leader Warren Bradley set the scene with a series of speeches and a countdown before the pulsating curtain- raiser burst into life.

Fireworks exploded as a huge red curtain was pulled open to reveal an unobstructed view of the twisting, multi-storeyed shopping complex that has been wrought by Grosvenor on South John Street.

The dance and percussion acts that followed cheekily played with the construction paraphernalia that Liverpool has had to cope with during the redevelopment.

Dancers in red and white boiler suits gyrated, and drummers beat out rhythms on traffic cones and upturned cement buckets. Above them, acrobats performed intricate tricks and Rio De Janeiro-style stilt walkers danced off stage. The show stunned the assembled crowds.

Madeleine Simpson, who lives in Liverpool city centre, was one of the hundreds eagerly gathered on Lord Street and was stunned by the opening spectacle.

“It’s made a good impres-sion. It’s always good to have this razzmatazz and show, which was brilliant I wasn’t expecting anything as good as that.”

Brian Thompson, of Bootle, agreed: “I’ve never seen any- thing like it in my life. It’s really what Liverpool is all about. We have so much talent here and it was a great show.”

Pat Pearce, of Birkenhead, had just popped to the city to pick up a passport, but was sucked into the show.

She said: “It was really stunning and there were a few of us watching tapping our feet to the music. I was really impressed with the dancers.”

But, for most of the thous- ands who poured into the centre, the shows were simply the icing on the cake. They wanted to get down to the serious business of shopping.

A crowded South John Street buzzed with excitement as shoppers saw for the first time what a £1bn redevelopment looks like.

Janey Belshaw, of Formby, said: “This is great architecture. Very modern and stylish. I like the fact it’s outdoors and doesn’t have that feeling of being in a box that lots of new centres have.”

Hartley Bentham, of Woolton, spent half an hour queuing at the Chavasse Park end of the development just to get in. He was not disappointed by what he saw.

“I’m so pleased it was finished on time. We’ve seen it taking shape and now it’s a fabulous attraction.

“Our son is an architect who headed off to Australia 2½ years ago. He’s going to be astonished by what he sees when he comes back this summer.”

He said the revitalised shopping streets meant a great deal to him as it marked the return to fortunes of a city he had lived in for more than 60 years.

“I used to be a fire watchman here in World War Two. I’ve watched the city change over the years and this reminds me of Bold Street when it was an exclusive shopping district in years past.

“It’s a total transformation – almost like a different city.”

Fashion shows ran throughout the day on the street level. The audience gathered on three levels to watch as models paraded clothes from Debenhams, Esprit, Jane Norman, Monsoon, John Lewis and even Liverpool FC. Former players including Alan Kennedy, Jan Molby, and Jason McAteer had gathered at the new club shop in Liverpool One.

Tracey Veale, of Widnes, and her mother, Carmen Tyrell, said: “It was fantastic. They looked fantastic in swimsuits and the dancing was brilliant.”

Avis and Derek Greer, of West Derby, said: “I just didn’t expect all the razzmatazz that has accompanied the opening.

“It’s completely changed us as a city, and we can overtake Manchester now because we’ve got everything we want here.”

Valerie Dolan, of Waterloo, brought her daughter and granddaughter down on the train, and was among the scores who lapped up the sun on the imposing steps leading up to Chavasse Park.

She said: “The trains were packed today. It was standing room only.

“We’ve waited a long time and we did have some big name shops in the city back in the past which have all left for Manchester and Chester. It’s great to see the big names back.

“We’ve had to go to the Trafford Centre if we wanted the big shops like this. It’s like Father Christmas has come at last.”

Elizabeth Mabon left the city 20 years ago to work on the Calvin Klein counter at Debenhams, in Colchester. She said: “I can’t believe it. The city is just completely different.

“My daughter, who still lives in Allerton, also had to admit she didn’t know where she was at one point.

“This is the best Debenhams in the country by a long way.”