Originally Posted by
McCaber
I am in the process of trying to meet a deadline for a preliminary intro to my paper (due tomorrow) but I had to pause to let all of you know how much I appreciate any and all feedback about this. Links are great too. Thanks! I will respond with more detail after tomorrow when I turn my attention to the actual fieldwork and data collection -I have specific queries about things like the "Paradise Street Development Area" and bylaws that were passed banning skateboarding and fly-posting in certain areas, etc. I will elaborate soon. And again, I would love to talk in person to who-ever is willing when I am in town next week.
Cheers!
There are indeed many bye laws around this city banning skateboarding etc, which is ironic when the city then hold the Hub Festival as some kind of beacon promoting skateboarding and graffiti etc. The one weekend a year when you won't get arrested for it.
An interesting aside though. On the weekend I sat in the new Chavasse park, basking in the sun and revelling in the success of Liverpool One and the hundreds that chilled out alongside me in the park.
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A group of lads had come into town and bought a bike at Sports Direct. They then sat off in the park to relax. Clearly the strategy of Grosvenor had succeeded, providing a pleasant atmosphere to relax and shop. However, the guys then decided to build their bike and test it out, going round in small circles. They were quickly accosted by security and told to stop or leave.
The irony of this cannot be ignored.
As to your original enquiry though, the overall purpose was for me about image. Changing the image of Liverpool to outsiders, but also to its own people. The events were used as a magnet to focus attention on the city at a time when much physical regeneration was going on, bringing people into the city that may have avoided it otherwise. I certainly found that all visitors were pleasantly surprised by what they found. All in all, I'd say it was a definite success. I participated in over 20 of the events, many of which were harder to avoid than participate in. Try asking waterfront residents how many times they couldnt leave their homes because the Strand was closed off for starters.
The downside of the physical regeneration is that it has now drawn more focus on the grottier areas that would soon have followed suit, had the recession not kicked in. Some projects have been delayed or shelved altogether, so areas such as Lime st, Clayton Square and St John's are going to present a hell of a contrast to visitors and locals alike.
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