Planners give green light to huge screen at shopping centre

Oct 10 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

BRITAIN’S biggest media wall won approval yesterday from Liverpool’s city planners.

It will wrap round the Lime Street frontage of St Johns shopping centre as a contribution to Capital of Culture year celebrations, from owner Land Securities.

Due to be installed before the end of 2007, the media wall will be 400ft long and more than 30ft high.

The aim is to create a stunning sight for the 14 million people who arrive every year at Lime Street station.

It will include a 100ft long screen, with special ultra bright features which will be clearly visible in daylight.

Planning committee members gave approval on condition that before moving images could be used on the giant screen, there would have to be a thorough risk assessment.

This will involve council safety officers as well as Merseyside Police.

It follows concerns raised that motorists heading along Lime Street could be distracted by the media wall. There will also be a monitoring group with the authority to switch off the media wall if it proves too hazardous.

Nick Davis, development director at Land Securities, said: “The media screen wall will be a dramatic first for Liverpool.” The company already uses bright images wrapped around its buildings in London’s Piccadilly Circus.

Land Securities is working on plans to refurbish St Johns Centre.

Last night, city council leader Warren Bradley said: “This will really put Liverpool on the big screen and will give local people and visitors a chance to see what is happening around the city.”