Albert Dock Area

[Kev]

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

[marky]

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

[Paul D]

[AK1]

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

[Kev]

Excellent snaps thanks

[A.D.W]

A fine collection of pictures.

[Kev]

[billo]

Here are a couple I took when the Round the World Clippers were here

The Second one caught my eye as it shows 300 years of tall structures

[scouserdave]

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]

[Kev]

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

[scouserdave]

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

LOL! Not one of my best hair years
Cheers for the comments.

[Kev]

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

[Paul D]

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.

[billo]

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,

[Kev]

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