TODAY is one of the pivotal moments in Liverpool’s recent history; a day when the word momentous is, for once, completely and utterly appropriate.

The opening of Liverpool One is the realisation of a dream several years in the making.

There have been times when it has seemed as though the legions of workmen in their bright yellow vests were becoming as permanent a fixture in the city centre as the ubiquitous pigeons.

There have been setbacks, with the cost of the development rising and the opening date having to be revised.

And there have been times when mot- orists and businesses have questioned whether it really was all going to be worth the road closures, confusing diversions and lost customers.

Today we can resoundingly say yes, Liverpool One is most definitely worth it.

Grosvenor has delivered an amazing, vibrant new destination for the city centre. There is palpable excitement about the opening of Liverpool One – this offers the visitor so much that it will be difficult to properly appreciate all the attractions which crowd within its streets in one day.

It compliments the existing city centre in terms of its retail and leisure offering, and its sympathetic and exciting design. There is no doubt it is an absolute triumph.

And yet, the opening of Liverpool One is only part of the reason to celebrate this week: Tate Liverpool’s Klimt exhibition has arrived and will be unveiled at a glittering event tonight; meanwhile, the Princess Royal has launched a new cultural addition, the Victoria Gallery and Museum, on the University of Liverpool campus. It officially opens on June 30 and features displays from the university’s vast collections that are usually unseen by the public.

This is, without a doubt, a very proud time for Liverpool and a proud moment for those who helped author its renaissance.