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.
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 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.
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“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.”
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