Give tourists what they deserve

Oct 11 2007 by Paul Corcoran, Liverpool Daily Post

IT’S not very often that I use my column for having a rant, but this week I seriously need to get this one off my chest.

Those of you who are regular readers of my Urbanite adventures will know that I am extremely passionate about the city and all of the wonderful things that happen here. And so, when it comes to knocking the Capital of Culture bandwagon, I have always opted out of riding this vehicle.

So what has given me the hump this week? Why has my mood turned so grey that it now reflects the rain clouds that reside outside my window?

The reason for my foul mood and equally miserable face? Lost opportunities. And this week I have seen (and heard) them first- hand and, as a result, have felt riled, to say the least.

Picture the scene: having decided to blow the cobwebs away and take my niece, Faye, for her first outing through the city, I found myself in the tourist trap that is Mathew Street – renowned for being the birthplace of a band you may have heard of, The Beatles.

Having grown up in this city and trotted down this famous street on more than one occasion, I have always been aware of its popularity with tourists from around the world, all setting off on pilgrimages to see where it all began for Liverpool’s greatest export.

And this visit to the street was generally no different to any other; tourists were there taking pictures of themselves with the iconic John Lennon statue and visitors were marching proudly into the old Cavern pub all wearing their souvenir T-shirts. Then I heard the comment that would change my mood and the tone of this week’s column.

“Is this it? Is this all there is to do on Mathew Street?” exclaimed a visitor behind me.

Having heard this statement, I took a second look and couldn’t help but agree with this disappointed tourist who, by the sound of his accent, had travelled a little farther than through the Mersey tunnel to get here.

Here was someone who had taken the time and effort to come to our city to be a part of the history of a band which transformed much more than just the international music industry.

It is true. Why do we not have a Beatles museum on Mathew Street, or in Cavern Walks, for that matter? Why, when we are European Capital of Culture 2008, do we not have a Continental- style area where visitors (and Liverpudlians) can sit outside and take in one of the most iconic streets in the world?

Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree and something quite extraordinary is actually being planned by the “powers-that-be” to transform Mathew Street into a tourist hot-spot once more, in conjunction with next year’s opening of the first Beatles-themed hotel, A Hard Days Night.

After all, there is mileage here. Just look at the super-successful Beatles Story, down at the Albert Dock, which constantly invests in its facilities and offerings and, as a result, enjoys increased visitor numbers year on year.

Hopefully, I am going to be proved wrong and the street which plays such an integral role in generating income for our city will be given the much-needed attention and makeover it rightfully deserves.

So, taking my usual, more positive outlook once more, maybe missed opportunities is the wrong term to use.

Instead, should I not be talking about potential opportunities yet to be exploited during our year of culture year and beyond?

A new-look Mathew Street for 2008? Go on. Let it be.