Cover Feature China's First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors © Gareth Jones
• It’s ten years since Liverpool held the European Capital of Culture title – what should we be most proud of?
Winning the culture title was transformational in every sense. The investment it triggered saw around £4billion worth of regeneration projects change the face of the city. Liverpool rose to the challenge and 2008 was a critical triumph.
As a result, the city is now firmly on any ‘must-visit’ list, tourists numbers increase year on year, and Liverpool is a place people want to live, work and play in.
Our success resulted in the creation of the ‘UK City of Culture’ title which is hugely competitive – the rest of the UK has seen Liverpool’s phenomenal trajectory over the past ten years and they want that for themselves.
As a city we are held on a cultural pedestal and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
• How has the wider city region benefitted?
Without a doubt. The uplift in Liverpool’s profile had a direct,
positive impact on the economic health of the entire city region.
We set a template for how to stage events which is something we’ve seen our neighbours adopt – for example looking differently at assets such as parks as potential event spaces.
We are also committed to working with the city region for example we partnered with Wirral on the River of Light fireworks display and last year we saw crowds of 110,000 with an impact of £1.5m on both sides of the River Mersey.
• How difficult is it to make the business case for spending on cultural activities with so many other priorities?
Not difficult at all. Culture is the rocket fuel for regeneration and there is real value in this sector – it encourages investment, brings an essential boost to the local economy and connects with residents in a way which entertains, challenges and inspires them.
• Exciting programme for 2018 – what are the highlights for you? It’s an incredible programme which will once again turn an international spotlight on the city. From the arrival of the Terracotta Warriors to the brand new Irish music extravaganza The Liverpool Feis, a huge Tall Ships Festival and Summer Social - a brand new children’s festival set to take over Croxteth Park, Liverpool 2018 is about delighting local audiences and national and international visitors with one of the best cultural offers you will find anywhere in Europe. • How important is your team and the private sector in driving forward the programme? I’m lucky enough to work with an incredible team who create, programme and deliver a diverse calendar of events which touch hundreds and thousands of people each year. Their knowledge and professionalism is unrivalled and they are a team which go above and beyond to ensure that each event doesn’t just meet, but
exceeds its potential. And of course the support of the private sector is essential.
We have to think differently about how we stage events, and securing sponsorship is essential in order for us to do what we do best. Just look at the success of our Mayoral 100 Club, and it shows that businesses see the value in culture and want to be part of it.
• What next for Culture Liverpool?
There is a huge amount of competition in the culture industry – every city in the UK is competing for investment and for visitors, but we are ahead of the game and are leading the field.
We will continue to grow and build over the next decade – our ambition has no expiry date. There are still more boundaries to be pushed and audiences to captivate. Liverpool’s creative appetite remains insatiable.
For the latest information on the Liverpool 2018 programme, go to www.visitliverpool.com/2018
The uplift in Liverpool’s profile had a direct, positive impact on the economic health of the entire city region. Tall Ships
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