Dock aims for alternative Capital of Culture crown

Jul 21 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

The tobacco warehouse at Stanley Dock (75)

MANAGERS at Liverpool’s Stanley Dock are encouraging artists, thespians and shoppers to converge on the historic site to keep it alive, and they want to turn the space into an alternative destination for Capital of Culture year.

They say the vast space within the dock buildings provides an ideal spot for productions and art installations and the space is being offered for free to Liverpool creatives in the run-up to 2008.

And organisers at the Sunday Heritage market, which is held there and was threatened with closure by land owners Kitgrove, are sending out the message that it is still alive and kicking.

Numbers have picked up again since operator NW1 obtained an injunction to remove a security firm Kitgrove had put in place to try to shut down the market three weeks ago.

But managers at the site are encouraging more people to use the space and grab a bargain, or risk losing it.

Many film and TV production crews have used the site, which includes the oldest building of its size in the world, as a location, including the 51st State, Ruby in the Smoke and Hollyoaks.

It is set to be the site for scenes in Casualty 1906, a BBC drama based on life in a hospital in Edwardian times.

TV and film producer Tom Harrick said: “The space here is vast and is perfect for filming. I have done a lot of work here.

“Many local artists and performers have used the space recently for shows and exhibitions and we want to let people know the space is here for free, the more going on the better.

“Lots of students come here and the managers of the site are happy to let them use the space.

“It would be great to create an alternative venue for people in 2008, that is what culture is all about, diversity, and we can offer something different.”

Wall Talks is an example of a local production that was staged with the dock last month, but some productions had to cancelled when Kitgrove closed the site.

NW1 wants people to see the site as a whole and come to productions, exhibitions and shop at the Sunday market.

Manager Kate Thompson said: “It all works well together, it is a diverse place and we want to build on that.

“There is such a great atmosphere.”

Over the past year, the market has received warnings from Liverpool council about bogus traders but Ms Thompson says the threat of closure has meant the majority of law-abiding market traders are watching out for it.

She added: “I’d say we have the cleanest market in town now, we are working together to bring the best out of the place.

“The message is we are still open, we did not even close for one Sunday.”

lizawilliams