Have your say on Liverpool’s future

CONTRIBUTORS to the City Conversation on Liverpool’s future have suggested bringing back the overhead railway, free wi-fi and the introduction of a world-class opera house as a way of boosting the city’s fortunes.

The debate, led by Liverpool Vision, forms part of the consultation for the creation of a new Strategic Investment Framework for the city, to refresh a framework initially created in 2000.

The initial framework guided succesful developments such as Liverpool ONE, the Arena and the expansion of the commercial district into St Paul’s Square.

Liverpool Vision is encouraging businesses and anyone else with a stake in the city’s future to get involved. Head of area investment Jenny Douglas said: “We’ve been delighted with the response and it proves how passionate people are about their city.

“Creating a University for Entrepreneurs, converting the Royal Mail sorting office into a film studio complex and building a city centre secondary school are some of the more ambitious ideas.

“But of course it can be something much simpler like creating a city of trees by planting more trees; a city of light by lighting more buildings or a festival city by delivering an annual programme of high quality events that people may wish to see as part of the development of the city centre over the next decade.

“We are encouraging all ideas no matter how insignificant or grand they may seem. It has even been suggested that direct flights to China and the USA should be introduced to encourage inward investment. These ideas may not always be deliverable but they can help to act as a catalyst for new thinking within specific sectors.”

The Strategic Investment Framework is due to be finalised by Spring.

Comments can be left via facebook.com/liverpoolvision or on Twitter to @LiverpoolVision as well as by writing to Matt Biagetti at Liverpool Vision, The Capital, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9PP.