THE throngs that poured through the streets of Liver-pool One yesterday, eager to spend their money, gave the city a foretaste of the future.

Nothing marred the launch of this amazing development; the timetable ran to plan, The Strand was back to three lanes for the first time since records began – even the sun shone.

As first days go, this was pretty spectacular.

Thousands of office workers traipsed through the city during their lunch hour to see the city’s new “must” destination.

But, amid all the fanfare, it was also heartening to see Church Street buzzing with life and filled with people who – while eager to enjoy a slice of Liverpool One – were also making the most of the shops that lined the route there.

There is no doubt that the Liverpool One triumph is something the city’s decision-makers can today feel very happy about.

Liverpool One has launched at a difficult time in terms of the economy, but the optimism and vision of those who have realised this very special place is, one would suspect, equal to the task ahead.

However, Liverpool One was not the only success story in town yesterday; two other Liverpool achievements were honoured by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) yesterday.

Along with the University of Liverpool’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital in Neston, ACC Liverpool and the Bluecoat Gallery received awards for their high architectural standards and contribution to the local environment.

As judges said, the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre is a “significant contribution to the historic river frontage of the Mersey”. It is a landmark building of which the region can be very proud.

The Bluecoat’s award is richly deserved; just a few weeks ago, it was closed by a fire. Now this lovely building is open once again and the RIBA award must be the icing on the cake for everyone who has worked so hard.