Chinese Arch has paint job for 2008

Oct 24 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool Conservation staff working at the top of the Chinese Arch, in Berry Street _320

LIVERPOOL’S famous Chinese arch has been “stunningly” restored to ensure it looks its best for the city’s culture year.

The arch on Nelson Street, the gateway to Chinatown, has been shrouded in scaffolding and tarpaulin for 12 weeks.

Craftsmen from Shanghai, where the arch was built, have worked with restoration experts from the National Conservation Centre to bring the arch back to its best.

It has now been unveiled with fresh paint and gilding in time for the start of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year, which starts in January.

But councillors from the area warned that it was essential that the derelict Scandinavian Hotel, next to the arch, was brought back into use if the area was to meet its full potential.

The arch was originally built in Shanghai, which is twinned with Liverpool, by Chinese craftsmen and is the biggest outside China.

It was placed in crates and shipped over to Liverpool where it was installed in 2000.

Chinese people first moved to the city in the 1830s and Chinatown is now a major visitor destination which attracts thousands each year.

The Conservation Centre, based in Whitechapel, said that the maintenance work had been needed because Nelson Street acts as a funnel for weather from the Mersey which had led to its deterioration.

Councillor Mike Storey, the city’s regeneration leader, said: “It looks stunning. It is fitting that it has been restored in our birthday year and will be ready for our Capital of Culture year. It has been hand painted and because of that it will have to be restored in another seven years, presumably.

“It’s an incredible piece of workmanship.”

Cllr Steve Munby, who represents the Riverside ward which covers Chinatown, said: “I am delighted that the work has finally been done, the paint had been peeling off for a couple of years. The challenge now is bringing the Scandinavian Hotel back into use.”

Colin Summers from the National Conservation Centre said: “It was great to be involved in getting the Chinese arch ready for Capital of Culture year so that it looks good for when the city has an influx of visitors.”

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk