There’s a real buzz about the place

Oct 25 2007 by Debbie Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

Debbie Johnson visits a solicitor who is loving living in Liverpool’s vibrant city centre

ANNIE LEAKER is originally from Merseyside, but moved away when she was a student.

When she returned five years ago for a new job, she was delighted with the way the city had changed.

She says: “Not long after I got back we won the Capital of Culture title, and there just seems to be so much investment and work going on here.

“You can feel there is a real buzz about the place these days. I’m really looking forward to the Paradise Street development opening fully.”

Annie, 28, had been living in Newcastle studying law. She came to Liverpool when she got a job with city law firm Jackson Canter, where she works in criminal and family law.

She decided to buy a city centre apartment, and opted for the Cableyard in Cheapside – partly because the shared equity scheme meant she could more easily get a foot on the property ladder.

She says: “Before the sale went through, I was staying with my family in Southport, and working in the Garston office.

“It was really hard.

“But now I live in the city centre, and work in the city centre, so it couldn’t be easier.”

The Cableyard development has the benefit of a communal atrium with trees and lighting, which is particularly nice in the summer. It has also been known to be the scene for a party or two for residents.

The apartments are also a good size – something which Annie has noticed when looking at other flats.

She says: “The rooms here are big compared to a lot of the places I’ve seen.

“There are two bedrooms, and they are both proper-sized bedrooms, not just little boxes. The hallway as well is quite spacious.”

Annie’s flat is painted white throughout, and the open-plan lounge and dining area is furnished in neutral tones.

There is a brown leather sofa, with fluffy feathered teal and purple cushions; pine and oak furniture, and a brown rug.

The large floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors lead on to the timber-decked balcony.

Annie says: “The room is always full of light, and it’s really warm as well. The balcony is nice – big enough to sit out on.”

The kitchen has pale grey fitted units, and integrated appliances. Annie has a chunky pine kitchen table and leather backed chairs, although she admits she tends to do more “drinking-based entertaining than cooking”.

The kitchen and dining area is brightened up with blues and greens through a decorative wall hanging and table linen.

Annie has hidden her washer-dryer away in a cupboard in the bathroom, cleverly saving space and keeping the living area much quieter.

Her bedroom is again white, with red and black bed linen and oak wardrobes. The second bedroom is used as a guest/junk room – and as a regular crash pad for friends.

“I have a lot of friends who come over from Manchester, and also friends who live in south Liverpool, so this tends to be where they end up at the end of the night!

“It’s one of the things I love about it here – you are only minutes away from the city centre, so you don’t even need to get taxis, but because it is in the business district it is really quiet at night and at the weekends, the best of both worlds.”

Annie is now looking to move up the property ladder.

She says: “This is a great flat, especially for your first-time buyer, but now I have fully qualified as a solicitor and my income has gone up a bit, it’s time to move on up. But I will definitely be living in the city centre!”

* ANNIE’S apartment is on sale with KMC Residential, for £134,950. Call 0151 236 9660 for details.