Just read that yet another shop is moving out of the Albert Dock. Moose relocated to Button Street which wasn't so bad, but the Room Store is closing down altogether. Hopefully things will pick up when the PSDA is up and running.

Yes, the Albert Dock has never been a shopping area to compare with Church Street, many shops have closed and some have opened as little gift shops. This has been mentioned before (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1838&page=7&highlight=albert+dock) but the market around there seems to be focussed more at Bars and Restraunts plus the gift shops selling key rings.

The developments have not helped one bit. When PSD opens, it should be more accessable and the visitors to Kings Docks will make it part of their trip.

Just read that yet another shop is moving out of the Albert Dock. Moose relocated to Button Street which wasn't so bad, but the Room Store is closing down altogether. Hopefully things will pick up when the PSDA is up and running.
I guess 3 years is a long time to wait for business to pick up when you've got the high overheads to meet there.

A 'ghost town' by day... just what has happened to the Albert Dock?

IT was the jewel in the crown of the ‘80s regeneration of Liverpool, but a daytime stroll around Albert Dock now paints a different story. Paddy Shennan asks what the future holds for the city’s premier attraction.

By Paddy Shennan, Liverpool Echo

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/nov2006/1/2/0B159605-D537-24E5-F3302B484A35FA13.jpg

IT’S certainly glamorous by night, but parts of it can seem ghostly during the day.

This was no walk on the wild side, this was a walk on the quiet side – a walk around the Albert Dock.

This famous landmark may be a mecca for bar and restaurant-goers by night and a magnet for tourists thanks to attractions such as The Beatles Story, Merseyside Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool – but what about the shoppers?

I walked around the dock on Monday and Thursday lunchtimes last week and it was generally quiet – very quiet – on both days.

There were little areas of activity and pockets of people, such as along the Colonnades – even on Monday, when the Tate was closed.

But elsewhere, notably on the Britannia Pavilion side of the dock where there is so much empty space, it was deserted.

Which, to be honest, was quite shocking. And sad. And depressing.

As is the list of retail departures from the dock in the last year or so. First it was interiors shop Ocean, which blamed city centre roadworks for a loss of trade, then the Edinburgh Woollen Mills which, after almost two decades, said it was leaving because the dock had moved too far into the leisure market.

Then fashion store Moose relocated to city centre Button Street, while upmarket furniture outlet, The Room Store, closed its dock showroom to concentrate on its website business and developing contract work.

Wandering around the dock, it’s impossible to miss the bars and restaurants. There’s the Pumphouse, Est Est Est, Babycream, Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen, Spice Lounge and the Pan American Club.

But the Albert Dock Company will point out that the complex is also home to the less sexy-sounding Phoenix Life Group, Telewest Broadband and a host of smaller offices.

And opposite the new Kings Dock arena, the mixed use theme continues with XL Clothing, the Yellow Duckmarine office, the Premier Travel Inn, The Beatles Story and Absolution Gyms.

But there’s also no avoiding the extremely quiet areas of the dock, along the Britannia Pavilion quayside.

There is a large empty space, complete with To Let sign, before you get to the Impressions of Liverpool and the Nauticalia shops.

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/nov2005/9/6/00065A8B-3447-138B-A4580C01AC1BF814.jpg


Then there’s another void and another To Let sign, before you get to the Pan Am – and then yet more empty space.

As I walked along the pavilion yesterday with Ian Brown, director of the Albert Dock Company, he revealed that there was serious interest in the various units – from a restaurant, a speciality bar, a coffee chain and another bar.

Britannia Pavilion, therefore, looks like becoming bar and restaurant central – in contrast to the Colonnades, the home of Tate Liverpool.

The Colonnades are virtually full of shops and cafes, including, among others, the florist’s Tamzyn Angela, Annabel’s Accessories, Lavazza Cafe Bar, the Gift Company, La Crepe Rit cafe – and, of course, Tate Liverpool and the Tate Cafe.

The Colonnades also boast their share of flats and offices – often overlooked, says Ian Brown, because people only tend to see what is at ground level.

Round the corner, and back towards where we started, you’ll see the Merseyside Maritime Museum – another reason why the Albert Dock is the region’s number one tourist attraction, with between 15 and 20 per cent of visitors to Merseyside heading this way.

The Albert Dock is undoubtedly a mixed use complex and it appears that it will remain one.

But while it is unlikely that there will be a mass exodus of retailers – especially those smaller businesses related to leisure and tourism – it also seems certain that more restaurants and bars are heading to the Britannia Pavilion.

And that, stresses Ian Brown, will be due to the demands of the market – not the rental demands. He says: “The rents down here are very, very low compared to – literally – just over the road.

“People cite high rents and car parking charges as reasons for the failure of some retailers. But that comes from members of the public, not the retailers, and it’s a myth.”

WHAT are your views on the Albert Dock – and its future?


'Future is bright for us'

THE Albert Dock is in transition. It’s evolving to meet the changing needs of its customers. And the future couldn’t look much brighter.

That is the basic message from Ian Brown, director of the Albert Dock Company since November 2004, who stresses that of the dock’s 1.25m square feet, only 30,000 square feet (or 2.4%) of space is empty.

Of the retail versus leisure debate, he says: “Latterly, there has been more of a shift towards leisure and tourism but that’s not to say we are going to completely move away from retail.

“The Colonnades will certainly, for the foreseeable future, remain as retail. There is an element of retailing along the Britannia Pavilion but the market place is telling us now there is more of a demand for leisure and tourism.

“We will never please all the people all the time. But the Albert Dock will be at the epicentre of all the developments currently taking place in Liverpool.

“With 2008, the new arena and the Liverpool 1 shopping development all on the horizon, more visitors are likely to visit the dock than ever before.

“Part of our focus is about getting a strong, highly appealing product in place. This includes picking the right tenants and developing entertaining events throughout the year. We're also working with a number of arts organisations, including the Liverpool Biennial, to stage exhibitions in some of the units whilst we’re changing over tenants.

“Historically, the dock has always been a good example of a mixed use regeneration scheme. Souvenir shops sit alongside busy hotels and restaurants.

“Five million people visit the dock every year to see The Beatles Story, Merseyside Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool and the dock has also become a successful eating and drinking destination.

“The dock will complement surrounding developments by offering a unique, relaxing environment in which to enjoy a host of leisure activities.

“From 2007 onwards, we’ll have a lot to shout about and we'll be shouting very loudly to ensure that the Albert Dock is seen as the well-loved tourist attraction it is.”

source (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=a-%2Dghost-town%2D-by-day%2D%2D%2D-just-what-has-happened-to-the-albert-dock%2D%26method=full%26objectid=18132940%26page=3 %26siteid=50061-name_page.html)....

I guess 3 years is a long time to wait for business to pick up when you've got the high overheads to meet there.

The place is isolated from the main shopping area a by an F1 track. Get rid of that and Paradise St will draw the dock into the fold and make it easy to get to.

You've got a point... imagine that road was taken out, and we had some nice walkways, bridges and waterways(!) inside PSD - I think it would nicely link the town centre to the docks...

The place is isolated from the main shopping area a by an F1 track. Get rid of that and Paradise St will draw the dock into the fold and make it easy to get to.
And where would you reroute all that traffic? I agree that the Albert Dock is isolated, by the way.

And where would you reroute all that traffic? I agree that the Albert Dock is isolated, by the way.

The traffic can around the city centre - not through it. I suppose they can all go to that traffic jam in the sky - the same one they all went to when Ken Livingstone issued the congestion charge in London.

You've got a point... imagine that road was taken out, and we had some nice walkways, bridges and waterways(!) inside PSD - I think it would nicely link the town centre to the docks...

Yep. Imagine the Strand being like the Ramblas in Barcelona.

The traffic can around the city centre - not through it. I suppose they can all go to that traffic jam in the sky - the same one they all went to when Ken Livingstone issued the congestion charge in London.
Are you on xtra strong acid or what? What the heck are you on about? LOL! :unibrow:

Are you on xtra strong acid or what? What the heck are you on about? LOL! :unibrow:

Read what was wrote:

The traffic can go around the city centre - not through it.

Obvious.

I suppose they can all go to that traffic jam in the sky - the same one they all went to when Ken Livingstone issued the congestion charge in London.

There was to be chaos in London with traffic jams all over the place. There ended up with no cars and even less traffic outside the centre and not much in the centre either. So where did all the cars go? A big traffic jam in the sky?

All those cars along the Dock Rd will go the same place if the Dock Rd is blocked off.

Yep. Imagine the Strand being like the Ramblas in Barcelona.In Barcelona, Las Ramblas runs from Cataluna Square to the waterfront. The Liverpool equivalent would be either Church, Lord and james Streets or Dale and Water Streets. The Strand, Liverpool runs right along the waterfront.

In Barcelona, Las Ramblas runs from Cataluna Square to the waterfront. The Liverpool equivalent would be either Church, Lord and james Streets or Dale and Water Streets. The Strand, Liverpool runs right along the waterfront.
How far away from the river is The Strand?

Read what was wrote:

The traffic can go around the city centre - not through it.

Obvious.

I suppose they can all go to that traffic jam in the sky - the same one they all went to when Ken Livingstone issued the congestion charge in London.

There was to be chaos in London with traffic jams all over the place. There ended up with no cars and even less traffic outside the centre and not much in the centre either. So where did all the cars go? A big traffic jam in the sky?

All those cars along the Dock Rd will go the same place if the Dock Rd is blocked off.

Are you suggesting congestion charges for Liverpool? If not, it's a clumsy comparison.

In Barcelona, Las Ramblas runs from Cataluna Square to the waterfront. The Liverpool equivalent would be either Church, Lord and james Streets or Dale and Water Streets. The Strand, Liverpool runs right along the waterfront.

The Strand does not. The Three Graces and the Docks are between it and the river.

BTW, I was in the Albert Dock yesterday a.m. and the only people there apart from myself, were a coach load of schoolkids who were visiting The Tate. The shops must make all their money over the weekend.

http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/albertnov.jpg

It will be buzzing again when the redevelopments end and the visitors flock in. A trip to the Albert dock will be all part of the ride for them. A concert followed by a drink and a meal and a nice walk around. Or the other way around.

It will be buzzing again when the redevelopments end and the visitors flock in. A trip to the Albert dock will be all part of the ride for them. A concert followed by a drink and a meal and a nice walk around. Or the other way around.
Problem is though, that tends to be weekend stuff and the people are ferried(eh?!) in by coaches. During the weekdays, trying to cross the road is a bit like navigating the M6 at 8am:eek:

I used to go to the Albert Dock nearly every weekend when I was younger. I remember hiring a rowing boat with some friends, and we didnt even get lifejackets!
We could have been killed!

Oh well, I hope it does pick up, it would be sad if we were just left with bars and restaurants down there...

There was a Euro study (in the 90s I think and linked to the objective one status) ) which identified Liverpool as having one of the lowest rates of car ownership anywhere in Europe and compared it with places like the poorer parts of southern Italy. A lecturer in planning/transport at John Moores Uni produced a related study with the dept of Architecture and design concluding that at the time, the starnd could be totally barred to traffic and it would make no long term difference to traffic flow etc. How much it would make now is a different prospect with the rerouting of traffic for the new developments and big dig etc but an opportunity was defo missed I think!

Remember the council knocking back the proposed link bridge acroos the strand from Chavasse park to the Albert dock and using the old Sahnkland plan walkways as an excuse because they all ended up being demolished. The fact that a lot of them went nowhere because the whole plan (awful though most of it was) was never put in place and therefore they were not used was ignoreed.. Walkways/bridges are fine, it is the design that makes the difference. I heard the bridge may have been designed by Santiago Calatrava (sp?) which would have been amazing.
Same as them saying the cost of putting the treaffic below ground for this stretch would be too much - well Grosvenor are building a tunnel there now while traffic still uses the road. We have so suffered from a lack of vision in the past. Sorry for ranting for ages but I get a bit mad about these things.

There was a Euro study (in the 90s I think and linked to the objective one status) ) which identified Liverpool as having one of the lowest rates of car ownership anywhere in Europe and compared it with places like the poorer parts of southern Italy. A lecturer in planning/transport at John Moores Uni produced a related study with the dept of Architecture and design concluding that at the time, the strand could be totally barred to traffic and it would make no long term difference to traffic flow etc.

That is still the case today. The Strand and Dock road can go along most of its route and make little difference to traffic. The benefits to the environment and quality of life would be enormous.

The benefits to the physical environment would be enormous, especially between Georges dock gate and the Albert dock. The stretch from the Liver buildings to White star offices is such an impressive stretch of road and the equal in scale and width of any major city in the world. Banned to traffic, pedestrianised, the ground floor of the buildings developed and road welll planted and landscaped, this would be one of the nicest open urban spaces in Europe.

AN EIGHT metre-high floating crystal "chandelier" is to herald the renaissance of the Albert Dock as a tourist destination.

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/feb2007/3/8/EF460A45-97A4-D287-A1A6BA847D508EBD.jpg

The Fountain of Life sculpture by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei will be lit by 800 lightbulbs powered by a specially-designed underwater plug.

It is being funded by a £3.4m package to boost visitor numbers across Liverpool's waterfront attractions by providing better links between sites like the Pier Head and new Kings Dock stadium.

It includes a new exhibition centre telling the history of the Albert Dock, where the toilets will receive a major upgrade with new showers and baby changing facilities.A 35-metre pedestrian bridge will be built linking the Albert Dock to the new Kings Dock Arena and Convention Centre (ACC).

Stretching across Dukes Dock, the six metre-wide steel structure will lead visitors from the stadium to a modernised gateway at the Albert Dock's Britannia Pavilion.

And a series of signposts will lead tourists around the city's world heritage site and new canal link, encouraging them into surrounding facilities like the new Museum of Liverpool and Pier Head ferry terminal.

The projects all come under the umbrella of the Waterfront Connections scheme, being led by Liverpool Vision.

They will include better disabled access across the World Heritage Site attractions by the end of 2007, and upgrades to street decorations like flower beds.

"This is like the glue which will bind all the attractions together and create one branded Liverpool waterfront destination", said Vision's project manager, Alistair Macdonald. continues (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=dock-has-a-bright-future%26method=full%26objectid=18666589%26page=2% 26siteid=50061-name_page.html)...

The numpties at the Echo using metric again.

Sigh!

:disgust:

Spotted this manhole cover at the Albert Dock recently. It was made in MANCHESTER. Oh dear !!

Spotted this manhole cover at the Albert Dock recently. It was made in MANCHESTER. Oh dear !!

lol

THE new director of Liverpool’s Albert Dock last night pledged to spearhead an “unmissable world class attraction”. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=director-pledges-a-fresh-vibrancy-for-albert-dock%26method=full%26objectid=19200805%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html)

This is great to hear. The albert dock should be more entertainment and leisure than shopping. It's a place where people go to walk around and relax, not rush about to get the latest offers.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1181/565947867_77f97b4bda.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/565947867/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/565947687_c778712680.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/565947687/)

Kev, nice photos. The dock looks quite serene with no people about. Quite an alternative sight to when I was up there last and it was bustling.:)

Chippie, it was very busy at ground level. Thanks for the comments :) It certainly looked very quiet from way up there.

..any ideas?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/566270731_f776da5b2c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/566270731/)

No but I do like it. Looks like the top of a lightship to me:rolleyes:

Some sort of lighthouse maybe???

I'm not saying it is, because the vessel is till intact - but it looks like the top of the Planet lightship. This vessel is, of course, currently docked just around the corner from where the photo was taken.

Indeed it is, however, is the installation of this feature the end of the Lightship being in Liverpool?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/565947687_c778712680.jpg

Hmmm, reminds me of something! Could it be Vladimir Tatlin's tower - The Monument to the Third International (below)? :rolleyes:

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/liberal_arts/foreign/russian/art/tatlin-tower.jpg

I can't find a thread for photos of the Albert Dock.

Here's something that made me smile.
Our policemen are getting smaller and smaller!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1174/895934915_005f06da26_o.jpg

Nice one Phil. I'll dig out some Albie Dock pics although I'm sure there's a thread knocking around somewhere.

Threads merged :PDT11

Facts about the Albert Dock are here (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258)

Latest news about the Dock can be found here (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2253)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1423/896788942_7e43c1f164_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1082/895937437_e919828fa0_o.jpg




http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1254/895935479_c7c055dcb3_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/896780768_64194332c5_o.jpg[/I

MG]

[IMG]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/895934443_21c63e2d0e_o.jpg

Philip, I noticed that about policemen too - the fact that they appear to be getting shorter !! :D
They must have changed the height requirements some time ago. I remember when policemen were big guys - 6 footers. :)

There's a police lady on one of the horses.
I saw her standing next to the horse one day and she couldn't have been taller than 4' 6".

Remember when all the policemen were older than you (and me)?

I wouldn't be too worried about the height of the policeman, it's the fact he's doing morris dancing that I find a concern !!!!

Hmmm, reminds me of something! Could it be Vladimir Tatlin's tower - The Monument to the Third International (below)? :rolleyes:

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/liberal_arts/foreign/russian/art/tatlin-tower.jpg
I would say all most Identical except for the glass beads, Do you think the artist is making a statement or as a lot of stuff that comes out of China a copy.

Albert Dock primed for ‘colossal tourism’

Aug 6 2007 by Bill Gleeson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Albert Dock has a long way to go before it will become profitable, according to its recently appointed boss.

Albert Dock director Joe Edge, who started in his new post at the waterfront tourist and leisure attraction two weeks ago, claimed the business was well placed to take advantage of nearby developments, but had a long way to go before it would become profitable for its owner, London- based property group Arrowcroft.

Commenting on financial losses in excess of £1m and debts of £24m shown in the Albert Dock Company’s accounts, Mr Edge said: “We have got a long way to go, but we are in a long term business and we are not in it for short term gain, but for the long haul. The route is to increase the lettings and increase the number of people coming to visit. What is important is what is happening around us – the Arena: business tourism is absolutely colossal.”

Mr Edge was speaking in a podcast interview with Daily Post business editor Bill Gleeson.

Mr Edge said: “It is not just the Arena. Liverpool One will also bring people to our door and by 2010, when Mann Island is completed.”

He added: “All our research is telling us that the Albert Dock is quite unique. It is a World Heritage Site and a not-to-miss visitor attraction. So what we are deter-mined to do is to make sure all the vacant space dovetails into what we have already. We will leave the knickers and shoes to Grosvenor.”

Mr Edge, who used to run Liverpool’s Central Shopping Centre at Central Station, said that three new restaurants are in talks to take space at the dock, which already boasts a range of venues including Est Est Est, Baby Blue, Ha Ha and Pan American Bar and Grill.

It was decided more than a year ago to switch the Albert Dock’s strategy away from retail to attracting more bars and restaurants to cope with the extra trade expected from the new facilities being constructed nearby.

Mr Edge continued: “We have brought in retail in the past which has not worked so well recently. I think it didn’t work because of the competition. The Albert Dock was in isolation. We are now in a completely different situation with the new cruise liner terminal opening in September, which will increase the number of visitors. We have the ACC to look forward to opening in January. We also have the Mann Island site and Grosvenor directly opposite.

“We are in a position where we will no longer be in isolation but slap-bang in the middle of everything.”

billgleeson

A large crane is installing the Spiral Chutes outside the museum (freshly painted)

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/908/thealbertdockfn5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Some pics I took of the Albert Dock and Surrounding areas today:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00572.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00574.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00578.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00576.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00577.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00573.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00579.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00571.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa60/AK1_photo/DSC00570.jpg

Excellent snaps thanks :handclap:

A fine collection of pictures.

:PDT_Piratz_26:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/1464020189_dd53fdabe0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/1464020189/)

Here are a couple I took when the Round the World Clippers were here
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/billo/IMG_0015.jpg
The Second one caught my eye as it shows 300 years of tall structures
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/billo/IMG_0020.jpg

Here's an old 1991 video of mine around the Albert Dock. Quite a few changes in the background looking towards the Paradise Development.

[YOUTUBE]heVx28Rof4I[YOUTUBE]

OMG Dave - Why was Steve Macmannaman in the vid? Quality views again, cheers :PDT11

OMG Dave - Why was Steve Macmannaman in the vid? Quality views again, cheers :PDT11
LOL! Not one of my best hair years:disgust:
Cheers for the comments.

Blue Bar entrepreneur returns to the Docks

Oct 24 2007 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL restaurateur and up-market bar operator Rob Gutmann is to return to the Albert Dock to open his biggest venue yet.

The man who opened four of Liverpool’s most famous café bars – Blue, Baby Blue, Pan American and Baby Cream – at the dock is to open a 17,000 sq ft bar, restaurant and nightclub called Circo in the Britannia Pavilion.

The move marks a return to the Albert Dock for the entrepreneur who, with the exception of Baby Cream, sold his dockside venues two years ago after they went into administration in the face of poor trading.

His company, Korova Corporation, currently operates seven outlets across the city including Korova, Negresco, Neg- resco Deco, Casa del Cocodrilo, Fargo, Babycream and Geisha.

Mr Gutmann told the Daily Post he was delighted to be working at the world heritage location again.

He said: “The Albert Dock feels like our spiritual home. We made our reputation here from 1998 onwards and it seems right that

as the Albert Dock is about to enter a new golden era, with the impact of 2008, the Arena and Liverpool One, it’s only fitting that we save our biggest and brashest venture to date for this location.”

Circo fills a vast series of spaces in the old Britannia Pavilion warehouse at the Albert Dock. Korova promises the design will be “challenging and quirky”.

Joe Edge, director of the Albert Dock Company, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob Gutmann back to the Albert Dock, his creative flair and excellent customer experience is always a delight. The investment being made into Circo comes at a great time when we can all reap the benefits of the hard work done of all stake- holders to bring ACC Liverpool to fruition.”

The venue will provide a large bar area split into two rooms – one a dark speakeasy-like space, the other bright, airy and overlooking the Albert Dock quayside. It will also include a steakhouse restaurant.

Mr Gutmann opened Blue at the Albert Dock in July, 1998, and this was followed by Baby Blue in 1999, Pan American in 2001 and Babycream in 2004. The first three of those were sold as going concerns to JI Entertainment, in September, 2005.

tonymcdonough

There've been a good few new venues opening in the Albert Dock lately,it should be buzzing again by the time the arena is up and running.

I'm not sure if this is the best place for this photo(feel free to move them, Kev.), it follows on from my Concorde pictures. This is how The Docks were before,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/billo/AlbertDock1.jpg

Is it The Albert Dock? It can stay here if it is.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

HMS Bangor was outside the Maritime Museum today, if anyone wants to get pics of her.
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2059

Oct 07.

Oct 07.

Fine pictures, LindyLou. I was down there today and find it a great shame they have knocked all that history down.

:PDT_Xtremez_42:

Danesis posted a couple of Albert Dock pics up on another site - pre-renovation. Here's a couple of 'now' views from almost the same place. I'll email them to him too.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5299/albertdock8iv3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5200/granadanowdanehy6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/631/albertdock1bq3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/13/albertnowdaneob7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Note how the far corner of the Atlantic Pavillion has been rebuilt, almost seemlessly.

I used to play in all that as a kid. The police and watchmen were forever chasing us out.

It would have been an exciting place for kids to play :)

It would have been an exciting place for kids to play :)

All of L8 was. I used to play in the basement of the old customs house too. Countless half demolished buildings were around. I fell though the floors of one when I was 9 spending a week in hospital.

The Albert Dock warehouses were used, although the dock was not. It was difficult to erect roof top cranes as the warehouses were too close to the quays. The warehouses were designed to take cargo directly from the holds of sailing ships. When steam ships came about the dock and its quays were pretty well redundant as steam ships required the warehouses to be further back from the quays.

Cargo in sailing ships was in smaller containers: barrels, sacks, etc. Bulk cargoes were pretty well unknown in ocean going sailing vessels. Bulk cargo was scorned upon as it could shift capsizing the ship.

Danesis posted a couple of Albert Dock pics up on another site - pre-renovation. Here's a couple of 'now' views from almost the same place. I'll email them to him too.

Note how the far corner of the Atlantic Pavillion has been rebuilt, almost seemlessly.

Hi Ged

Good to see these photos of the dock before it became gentrified. :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Chris

Picture of the Albert Dock circa 1910 from my FLICKR page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackamanfan/sets/72157603679091685/

NEW signs and directions aim to help visitors to Albert Dock navigate their way around the tourist spots more easily. Read (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/03/29/maps-and-signs-point-the-way-for-tourists-at-albert-dock-100252-20690127/)

I was down there yesterday, it was quite busy. It is surrounded my multimillion pound developments so it should all come together nicely with the Albert Dock in the middle of it all!