Liverpool welcomes key delegation from Bordeaux

Liverpool has welcomed a major delegation from Bordeaux-Euratlantique on a fact-finding mission, strengthening the bond between the two cities.

Liverpool and Bordeaux have developed a strong relationship, collaborating on UNESCO World Heritage status and the Bordeaux Wine Festival, which came to Liverpool in May this year.

Each year the urban regeneration and planning team at Bordeaux-Euratlantique choose a European city to visit for a ‘best practice’ study tour, and Liverpool welcomed a strong delegation of 30 people for a four-day trip.

During their visit the delegation was able to learn of the progress that the city has made over the past 10 years and to reflect on its ambitions and projects for the next decade.

Partners, including Liverpool City Council, National Museums Liverpool, ARUP, Peel Holdings, RIBA, Liverpool One, Baltic Creative CIC and Liverpool BID Company, all undertook presentations and walking tours.

The visit culminated with a civic dinner and welcome at the Town Hall where the group was greeted by Cllr Wendy Simon and Cllr Lynnie Hinnegan.

The group also had, during their leisure time, an opportunity to experience the city’s growing reputation for its food and drink offer.

Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, said: “The relationship between Bordeaux and Liverpool continues to grow and we were delighted to host 30 representatives from Bordeaux-Euratlantique to the city.

“Their four-day study tour provided them with an opportunity to meet those partners who are driving forward major urban regeneration projects in the city.

“Each year Bordeaux choose one European destination to learn from and choosing Liverpool this year is a great honour. I’ve no doubt that the welcome they received has created a further 30 ambassadors for us in France.”

Stéphane Sermadiras, director of economic development for Bordeaux-Euratlantique, said: “The objective of this study tour was to have a better understanding of what has been done in Liverpool and how it has been done, to trigger the rebirth of the city.

“We experienced a great welcome from all the people who took time to receive us and it was really interesting to know the different levels and bodies engaged in the dialogue and projects; especially the public-private relationship culture, which is clearly different to what we know in France.”