Vision for creative quarter launched
Businesses in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle have launched a manifesto to help transform the area into a creative “biosphere”.
The city’s regeneration bodies have long wanted to see the area transformed into a creative quarter. Several creative enterprises have already set up in the area, many of them based in the renovated Elevator Studios complex, in Parliament Street.
Now some of those firms have come together to create their own vision for the area – which they believe can become a Merseyside equivalent to London’s Shoreditch or New York’s Meatpacking District. Their manifesto was showcased at an event in the district last night.
The Baltic Triangle stretches from Wapping to Parliament Street, Park Road and St James Street, has many derelict or unused buildings, and sits isolated from the city centre.
But the team behind the latest manifesto believes that, if shops and eateries can be persuaded to open there, then it will become a popular place to visit.
The vision for the Baltic Triangle has been put together by businesspeople including Tim and Paul Speed, of Elevator Studios, Chris Lee, of Slazenger Heritage owner Microbrands, and Miles Falkingham, of Union North architects.
Mr Lee said: “Hopefully the Baltic Triangle can become a biosphere in its own right – a place that attracts new start-ups, incubators and creative businesses into the area.
“We need to offer work, rest and play facilities – we need to attract more visible businesses like cafes, bars, restaurants, workshops, hotels and retail.
"This is what has happened in the Meatpacking District of New York and Hoxton Shoreditch, in London, over the last 10 to 15 years, but there are people here in the Triangle who want to build on the groundwork that has already been laid down and make it happen here in the next three to five years.
“The business opportunities are amazing and they’re right here waiting to be taken”.
The Speeds have transformed a brick Victorian warehouse in Parliament Street into a warren of offices, studios and band rehearsal studios.
As well as housing bands such as The Wombats, the building houses a number of firms in the creative and digital sector. That includes several of the new wave of Mersey video games firms that set up in the wake of job losses at Sony and Bizarre Creations. Tim Speed said: “It would be great if we could see Jamaica Street with flower shops, or upholstery shops, or people selling clothes they’ve designed. That’s our vision for the area.”
Other investments in the area include the £5m Women’s International Centre for Economic Development, which opened earlier this year, and the Contemporary Urban Centre, in Greenland Street.
Last night’s event was held at creative industries hub Baltic Creative, which was created by the regeneration company of the same name.
The company, backed by Liverpool Vision and European funds, has transformed warehouse space in Jordan Street to house creative firms. That first phase is 90% full and work on the second phase, which could house up to 40 firms, is due to start next month.
Manager Mark Lawler said: “There is a real sense of opportunity here.”
For more information on units available visit the Baltic Creative website: www.baltic-creative.com
For more information on the Baltic Triangle area visit: www.baltictriangle.co.uk
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