China Town Area

[A.D.Williams]

25th October 2005.

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/hanover/china/chi225oc.jpg

[A.D.Williams]

25th October 2005.

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/hanover/china/chi325oc.jpg

[Kev]

is that the old scaninavian hotel dave?

[A.D.Williams]

Nope, Kev. It's an old building on the corner of Seel Street and Slater Street. Not far from the old hotel though.

[A.D.Williams]

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/hanover/china/chi425oc.jpg

[Kev]

Here's a few links to the information about Liverpool's China Town:

The History of Chinatown (http://web.ukonline.co.uk/lcba/ba/history.html)

Liverpool ChinatownBusiness Association (http://www.lcba.net/)

[Max]

Crikey, look at the sharpness on Pete Carr's pic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petecarr/278524260/

[Paul D]

That's a beautiful picture nice one Pete.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[ChrisGeorge]

Great photograph! I have to say that The Chinatown Gate was one

of the things that startled me, as being new, when I visited Liverpool last in 2003. A nice addition... though I have to add that since a lot of other

cities have such gates it is hardly unique!

Chris

[A.D.Williams]

A fine picture, but the Arch really could do with a lick of paint and some TLC.

[Kev]

Great photograph! I have to say that The Chinatown Gate was one of the things that startled me, as being new, when I visited

Liverpool last in 2003. A nice addition... though I have to add that since a lot of other cities have such gates it is hardly

unique!

Chris

out of those though, i think its the biggest

[petecarr]

out

of those though, i think its the biggest

Thats what I heard too. Biggest in Europe or something. Glad you liked the shot guys :)

[Max]

(Makes Bruce Noises while posting picture.)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/329526669_8c081392b2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxmolyneux/329526669/)

[Kev]

LIVERPOOL’S Chinatown – the oldest in Europe – could have a new lease of life with multi- million pound regeneration schemes in the Rope Walks area (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1469&highlight=ropewalks).

Brian Wong, chairman of Liverpool Chinatown Business Association wants the area to rival thriving Chinese quarters in Manchester and London and is calling for more investment to take place in the area.

He was speaking at the opening of the New Star Chinese Restaurant in Duke Street, the first to be opened in the street for many years.

Traditional Chinese dragon dancers carried out a good-luck ceremony at the grand opening, with guests from the Chinese community hoping it will be a curtain raiser to an expansion of local business.It was attended by Chinese Consular Attache Chen Song and representatives from the Bank of China and China Insurance.

Mr Chen, who arrived at the consular office just a month ago said: “It is good to see new investment by the Chinese community in their Chinatown.”

Mr Wong said: “We want to encourage more businesses and leisure activities in Liverpool Chinatown to make it an even bigger tourist attraction.

“The improvements around the Duke Street and Rope Walks area (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1469&highlight=ropewalks) have brought in many new people and this could be the catalyst for greater investment.

“There have already been a number of new restaurants and bars opened as part of the mixed use schemes around the area. We believe that there is potential to make the area more popular as one of Liverpool’s major attractions, particularly as it is so close to the Anglican Cathedral.”

Local councillor Cllr Steve Munby said: “We have already raised issues with the city council about the need to properly maintain the magnificent ceremonial arch in Nelson Street. It must be one of the most photographed structures in the city, but it needs to be looked after.

“There is a lot of potential to improve the area to attract more visitors. New restaurants and Chinese businesses are most welcome in the area

“We are encouraging an expansion of Chinatown into the Jamaica Street area because there is not enough space for people wanting to start businesses in the area.”

Business leaders in Chinatown are hoping that an invigorated link with Liverpool’s sister city, Shanghai, will provide a springboard for more trade and business between the two port cities.

Local councillor and council opposition leader Cllr Joe Anderson said: “We believe that Chinatown should be fully involved and utilised for the benefit of the city in our birthday year and Capital of Culture celebrations. It has the potential to become one of our main attractions and we need to work together as politicians and business leaders to improve and promote our Chinatown. Not only is it the oldest such community, it should be one of the best.”

source (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=new-plan-for-chinatown%26method=full%26objectid=18608741%26site id=50061-name_page.html)...

[Jericho]

I think it's great that there is a call for more investment. I'm a bit concerned by Munby's call for taxpayers money to maintain the arch, not because I think that money shouldn't be used in this way but because I'm concerned that if the local Chinese community wait for LCC to maintain it, it will be in a sorry state before it gets a new lick of paint. Why can't local businesses club together and do it themselves? It would also be good if some of the property owned by the community in that area could be developed rather than sweated hoping for better returns in the future - remember the Scandanavian Hotel?

Who knows, they might set a precedent for other communities in the city. One in which the community is proactive, spending its own money, borrowing money against its own assets rather than waiting for grants from the city or the state before people get off their arses.

[taffy]

I think it's great that there is a call for more investment. I'm a bit concerned by Munby's call for taxpayers money to maintain the arch, not because I think that money shouldn't be used in this way but because I'm concerned that if the local Chinese community wait for LCC to maintain it, it will be in a sorry state before it gets a new lick of paint. Why can't local businesses club together and do it themselves? It would also be good if some of the property owned by the community in that area could be developed rather than sweated hoping for better returns in the future - remember the Scandanavian Hotel?

Who knows, they might set a precedent for other communities in the city. One in which the community is proactive, spending its own money, borrowing money against its own assets rather than waiting for grants from the city or the state before people get off their arses.

Agreed. Liverpool does need to get out of its dependency culture. The Chinese Arch has to be the responsibility of the Chinese Community and not the council taxpayer as a whole.

[Max]

China town does need more Chinese restaurants though, theres only a couple but theirs Vietnamese themed ones, Japanese ones and even Indian!

[Kev]

Images of Liverpool's China Town as it looks now:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/387982874_d440bab45a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/387982874/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/387982777_fde4f6cfb0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/387982777/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/387982658_3472bdaded.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/387982658/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/387982519_b07b9fe62e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/387982519/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/387981116_a3f816a209.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/387981116/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/387983211_e820e1231d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/387983211/)

The full set can be found here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/sets/72157594531714257/).

[FKoE]

nice one our Kev :D

[Max]

If you ever go Into one of the Restaurants down there, get some Duck outta the Ma Bo. Greasy, but good.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Nice pics though, I get put off taking pics In weather like today though.

[Gerard]

Didnt yer get one in the Mah Boh Maxie Lad..

[Max]

I got Duck once there yeah.

[SteH]

Is the Nook still open? Its at least 10 years since I went in there, I believe they were meant to call 'Last Orders' in Chinese.

[The Teardrop Explodes]

It was last Xmas.

To call it rough and ready would be an injustice to rough and ready, but you wouldn't want that place any other way...

[The Teardrop Explodes]

Liverpool's Chinese restaurants are more expensive than London's.

You need numbers to get these places really buzzin and on their toes. Hopefully we'll see more numbers arrive with our upturn, opening more restaurants, providing more competition and (hopefully) even cheaper and better quality scran.

[scouserdave]

Family snap taken a few years back, showing the recent residential development in China Town. My two youngest have told me to inform you that they are no longer scals, but favour the emo look. Haven't a bleeding clue what they're on about. Eldest will always be a scruff:)

http://www.londonpictorial.co.uk/china2007.jpg

[Ged]

Great photies as ever Dave. Those poses, or is it posers are great :)

Notice the old underground rail tunnel shaft - there's quite a few of these along the routes to Edge Hill, perhaps a thread on them.

[scouserdave]

Great photies as ever Dave. Those poses, or is it posers are great :)

Notice the old underground rail tunnel shaft - there's quite a few of these along the routes to Edge Hill, perhaps a thread on them.
Thanks Ged.
Of course I noticed the tunnel shaft! (lying bar steward:unibrow: )

[scouse smurf]

Its a really cool entrance to the area. Hopefully we'll see a lot more pics after this weekend with it being the Chinese new year on Sunday :)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/383492624_6d3e23edcd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/18667910@N00/383492624/)

[Max]

I am the nextA.D Dave, ScouserDave and Pete Carr In one.:PDT10

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/399255630_64260c746a_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxmolyneux/399255630/)

[MariaC]

Liverpool's Chinese restaurants are more expensive than London's.

You need numbers to get these places really buzzin and on their toes. Hopefully we'll see more numbers arrive with our upturn, opening more restaurants, providing more competition and (hopefully) even cheaper and better quality scran.


You have never eaten until you go to the Mabo.

[Gerard]

You have never eaten until you go to the Mabo.

Splendid estashbilment !!

(Too much cabbage in the Wan Ton though)



And the Mabo has no Sesame Oil while I'm getting it all off me chest !!

I mean C'mon....Wan Ton without Sesame Oil...Jaaeeesssss..

[MariaC]

Splendid estashbilment !!

(Too much cabbage in the Wan Ton though)

Agreed but have their special with Char sui on the soup an' a small bowl of rice. Jeeze you will full for the week. Also try (If yer all brave enough) A portion of Chinese leaves in Oyster sauce.

Don't have a pint after, just stick to the tea. he he he .
Yer Will blow up. he he he .

[marie]

In France, Spain, Pays Basque, ... Chinese restaurant are very cheap!! I do not know in England.
I saw the China Town Area one time, coz I was alone and I doesn´t like walk there... I am a bit affraid at night. But I can saw the arch or the big door and the Blue Angel too.

[Kev]

LIVERPOOL’S famous Chinese arch has been “stunningly” restored to ensure it looks its best for the city’s culture year. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/10/24/chinese-arch-has-paint-job-for-2008-64375-19998752/)

[PhilipG]

I see that Langdon's/Europleasure is still being called the Scandinavian Hotel.
The hotel, which was never called the Scandinavian, was behind Langdons and was demolished in the early 1930s.
Langdons was built about 1858 as a factory, and it never was anything but a factory.
It's a great building though, and the current owners have put a new roof on it, which is something the Florrie could do with.

[Ged]

The arch still had scaffolding around it when I passed at the weekend so i'd say 'it is being' rather than 'it has' been restored. I'm told the Florrie will have a roof on it by March and it took longer and more funding than originally thought to clear out the insides. It is about time though.

[A.D.W]

LIVERPOOL’S famous Chinese arch has been “stunningly” restored to ensure it looks its best for the city’s culture year. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/10/24/chinese-arch-has-paint-job-for-2008-64375-19998752/)

They have done a fine job on the Chinese Arch.

10th December 2007.

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/hanover/china/bchina1012071.jpg

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/hanover/china/bchina1012072.jpg

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/hanover/china/bchina1012073.jpg

[lindylou]

Lovely pictures :handclap:
get one of them on Picture of the day. :)

[A.D.W]

Lovely pictures :handclap:

Thank you kindly, sausage.


get one of them on Picture of the day. :)

I shall put up a different one of the Chinese Arch.

[marky]

Re:Langdon's/Europleasure/Scandinavian Hotel

The facade has a couple of items of minor interest: a few lions heads, stone faces and by the balcony on the top-right of the building, some initials in the stone-work. It reads 'AS' or 'SA'. I can never work out interlocking initials on buildings.

[Waterways]

Langdons made tents

[marky]

Here's the initials, just below the balcony on Langdons building.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee262/south_liverpool/Langdons_initials.jpg

[PhilipG]

It was built about 1858 for Abbott's who were cabinet makers.
See this thread:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/1146972906/
It was always a factory.
The hotel was round the corner in Duke Street and was demolished in the 1930s when Langdons built an extension.

[Kev]

A KEY landmark building, compulsorily purchased by Liverpool Council three years ago to be redeveloped for 2008, will remain derelict for at least another year, it emerged last night. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/21/scandanavian-hotel-site-faces-12-month-delay-as-new-legal-row-holds-up-development-64375-21576641/)

[arrr_bob]

A KEY landmark building, compulsorily purchased by Liverpool Council three years ago to be redeveloped for 2008, will remain derelict for at least another year, it emerged last night. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/21/scandanavian-hotel-site-faces-12-month-delay-as-new-legal-row-holds-up-development-64375-21576641/)

Apologies if this is treading old ground but... Frenson? Let me get this right, they bought loads of the Ropewalks area from LCC and let it rot to the point of collapse as a gamble that developers would one day come in and pay top dollar for the land plots. Smart move. And now they have the cheek to say LCC are not acting in the spirit of compulsory purchase?

It's a shame about the scandinavian hotel building staying as is, the other two corners of the junction (the 'banksy' pub and the chinese accountant) could do with coming back into use but this will probably make that unlikely for a good while yet. It creates a real gap between Berry St and Nelson St, indeed if it weren't for the arch...

[PhilipG]

...and the Blackie.

[Kev]

is the Blackie shut now?

[PhilipG]

is the Blackie shut now?

Not sure, Kev.
Work seems to have been going on for about 3 years now.
I'll try and find out.

[Kev]

It does Phil, however, a recent passing on the way into town gave me the impression things have stopped. The railings look awful....

[arrr_bob]

Not sure, Kev.
Work seems to have been going on for about 3 years now.
I'll try and find out.

The EU funding notice outside [Blackie] says due to open in 2007. Haven't seen any activity there at all in 2008...

[PhilipG]

I was nosing round the Blackie yesterday, and managed to see the inside.
It is hoped it will reopen in October.

http://www.theblackie.org.uk/blackieinfo.htm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2786516584_4ef6890191_b.jpg

[Kev]

wow, thanks Phi. u wouldn't of expected it to look like that inside :PDT11

[lindylou]

It's the first time I've seen the inside of it.

[PhilipG]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2785829001_980f5e9973_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2786916292_ef8f3c6dab_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2786060831_735436a0be_o.jpg

[Ged]

Great pics and info Philip. My first sight of inside of it too.

[marky]

The Blackie featured in an episode of the childrens T.V. series 'Magpie'.

R. Griffiths "The History of the Royal and Ancient Park of Toxteth" (1907) states:
"Another small quarry once existed where Fairview Place, Park Road , now is. The pillars which form the colonnade in front of Great Georges Street Chapel, were also obtained here; these are all in one piece and are said to be the only thing of the kind in this part of the country."

I checked this a few months ago, and they are one piece pillars.

[PhilipG]

The Blackie featured in an episode of the childrens T.V. series 'Magpie'.

R. Griffiths "The History of the Royal and Ancient Park of Toxteth" (1907) states:
"Another small quarry once existed where Fairview Place, Park Road , now is. The pillars which form the colonnade in front of Great Georges Street Chapel, were also obtained here; these are all in one piece and are said to be the only thing of the kind in this part of the country."

I checked this a few months ago, and they are one piece pillars.

Yes, that's correct.
One piece pillars are called monoliths, and they are considered to be the first in the country.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2788511080_c0a669d3ab_o.jpg