Cavern Quarter &Williamson Square STRATEGIC REGENERATION FRAMEWORK
JANUARY 2020
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION 5 4 DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK PLAN 73
1.1 Introduction 6 4.1 Understanding the Dynamic Context 74 1.2 Study Area and Urban Context 9 4.2 Stage 1 - Quick Wins 76 1.3 Existing Planning Policy Context 10 4.3 Stage 2 - Bigger Picture Thinking 78 1.4 The SRF in Context 13 4.4 Stage 3 - The Final Moves 80
2 UNDERSTANDING THE AREA 15 5 AREA SPECIFIC DESIGN GUIDANCE 83
2.1 Built Heritage 16 5.1 Enhancing the Cavern Quarter 84 2.2 Cultural Heritage 18 5.2 Whitechapel - The Pool of Life 90 2.3 Surrounding Developments 20 5.3 Williamson Square 94 2.4 Access and Movement 21 5.4 Development Opportunity 102 2.5 Arriving in to Williamson Square 22 2.6 Arriving in to Cavern Quarter 23 6 IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING 105 2.7 Designated Heritage Assets 24 6.1 Implementation 106 2.8 Myths and Memories 25 6.2 Funding 107 2.9 Character 26 2.10 Existing Building Heights 29 2.11 Ground Floor Land Use 30 2.12 Upper Floors Occupancy 31 2.13 Building Condition 32 2.14 Daytime Activity 34 2.15 Nightime Activity 36 2.16 Key Challenges 38
3 STRATEGIC VISION AND POLICIES 43
3.1 Vision 44 3.2 Objectives 46 3.3 Delivering the Vision - Area Strategic Policies 48 3.4 Diversifying the Daytime and Nightime Economy 50 3.5 Music Strategy 52 3.6 A Rich Programme of Performances and Events 54 3.7 Heritage and Design 56 3.8 A Place-Specific Arts Strategy 60 3.9 Greening Strategy 62 3.10 Regenerating With Light 64 3.11 Maintenance 67 3.12 Accessible Destinations 68 3.13 Perfecting the Tourist Offer 70 3.14 Digital Interaction 71
Introduction 1.1 Introduction
This Draft SRF has been prepared in collaboration culture, uses and character; between Liverpool City Council (LCC) and key • References existing local planning stakeholders. A professional team including urban policy and shows how these can be design and landscape architects Planit-IE, planning applied specifically to this area; consultants ARUP, viability and tourism consultants Fourth Street, heritage consultant Rob Burns, music • Identifies key issues and opportunities and sets and events consultant Dave Pichilingi and real estate out a framework for sustainable development; advisors GVA were appointed by LCC to produce this • Sets out the strategy and overall vision document. for the site area to attract suitable The SRF has been informed by the knowledge, development and investment; ideas and thoughts shared through extensive • Sets out a Development Framework and conversations and consultation with LCC officials, Design Guidance including phasing; and Liverpool BID, key stakeholders, business owners and the general public, and draws upon previous • Explains how the SRF could be work undertaken in the area. The SRF will guide the implemented and delivered. future regeneration of the area, including investment, development and management within the area. WHY IS THIS SRF IMPORTANT?
The SRF document assesses “the place”, including its The retained urban fabric and historic warehouse importance for music and culture and considers the buildings of the Cavern Quarter lie within the key issues and opportunities. This analysis together Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site with the significant engagement undertaken have boundary, while Williamson Square is within its led to the development of a Vision and Development buffer zone. They are a small representation of the 6 Framework for the area to guide future investment. City's major trading history, where the goods sold in St John's Market on Williamson Square were stored PURPOSE OF THE SRF in the warehouses within the Cavern Quarter, as it is today known. The Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) has been written In 2015 Liverpool was designated as an UNESCO to supplement policy within Liverpool’s Local City of Music, celebrating its musical heritage, Plan (submission draft May 2018) and responds including The Beatles who played 293 times in the to relevant planning legislation and guidance now-renowned The Cavern in the 1960s. Both the within the National Planning Policy Framework club and Mathew Street are today internationally (NPPF 2019). This SRF will eventually be adopted renowned as the place where The Beatles were as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) by made, making it one of the anchors of the City’s Liverpool City Council and will become a material growing tourist economy. Beatles related tourism consideration in the determination of future makes a significant contribution to the City’s planning applications within the study area. economy and there is a need to ensure that’s the areas music and cultural heritage caters for all The Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square SRF sectors of the population and continues to draw will not be adopted until after the Local Plan has tourists and visitors. The area is home to a buoyant been formally adopted. Should there be any major night time economy with numerous bars and clubs changes that are relevant to the SRF then the but this concentration can create issues of blight, document will be reviewed and amended where poor public realm, anti-social behaviour, conflicting appropriate. uses and inactive streets during the day.
The document will guide future development and Williamson Square is one of the city centre's few investment and to support regeneration within the squares, but has historically lacked a civic function study area and includes strategies for music and art, and was been used more as a thoroughfare, than as well tourism, heritage, connectivity, the public a gathering space. Seemingly unconnected, both realm and mix of uses. the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square have layers of heritage behind them, but today face daily The document builds upon and provides more challenges in their functionality, representation and detailed guidance of the relevant policies within the identity. Local Plan (see section 1.3 for further details) and will be adopted as an SPD following adoption of the The role of this SRF is to identify and provide Liverpool Local Plan. strategies to overcome these issues, and draw on the innate qualities and assets of Williamson Square The SRF: and the Cavern Quarter, to ensure they make a great • Presents an analysis of place including contribution to the life of the City and it economy. heritage, connectivity, music and St George's Hall WILLIAM BROWN STREET
Lime Street Station
Metquarter
WILLIAMSON SQUARE Exchange Flags WHITECHAPEL LIME STREET
BASNETT STREET DALE STREET VICTORIA STREETCAVERN QUARTER NORTH JOHN STREET Liverpool Central ELLIOT STREET CASTLE STREET CHURCH STREET
LORD STREET WATER STREET BOLD STREET
THE STRAND Liverpool One
Pier Head
HANOVER STREET
Canning Dock
7
▲ Site area and the city SRF CONSULTATION stakeholders to make representations on its content. centre context This statutory consultation period will provide an A separate Consultation Statement has been opportunity for comments to be formally issued so prepared to accompany this SRF. This is in the project team can develop the SRF further and accordance with Regulation 12 of the Town and respond to any issues which have been raised as part Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) of this process. Regulations 2012. All relevant statutory bodies, individuals, groups and The statement sets out: organisations will be informed of the consultation. The representations received will be considered 1. Who the project team consulted with in preparing the final draft SRF, which will then when preparing the document be considered by Cabinet. If approved, it will be 2. A summary of the main issues adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document raised by those consulted following the adoption of the Local Plan; and it will be a material consideration in the determination of 3. How those issues have been planning applications. addressed in the document. Paper copies of the draft SRF, along with the The SRF has been prepared in accordance with the Consultation Statement and Feedback Form will be above regulations and has been the culmination of made available for review at the following places: a series of consultation exercises to help the team consider views from stakeholders which include the • At the Central Library - William Brown St, public and private sector businesses and relevant Liverpool L3 8EW during normal opening hours statutory consultees. • At the City Centre One Stop Shop – 1st The SRF has been approved by Liverpool City Floor, St John's Market, Elliot Street, Council’s Cabinet (11 October 2019) and is now St John's Precinct, Liverpool, L1 1LR available for 5 weeks for the public and other (Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm). STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL METHODOLOGY ASSESSMENT The complexity of the site, its rich cultural history A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a and contemporary issues required a multi-layered process which ensures environmental impact is approach to gaining an understanding of the site, considered at the formation of plans stage (i.e. the sourcing indigenous ideas and building a sense strategic level). A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) does of what these places need to be for Liverpool. this, but it takes in a broader scope of impacts, The process began with a thorough stakeholder looking at the economy and local communities/ engagement programme running parallel to desktop wider society as well as the environment. and site analysis, as well as monthly meetings with LCC. It culminated with a Symposium - a knowledge The Emerging Liverpool Local Plan (May 2018) has sharing event. This continuous information gathering been subject to an SA, including Equalities Impact exercise allows us to lay the foundations and Assessment and Health Impact Assessment. The understanding of place needed from which urban 2008 Planning Act allows SPDs to be prepared design proposals and planning policies can be built. without an SA as long as a screening assessment is carried out to establish whether there will be significant effects, as defined in the SEA directive. LICENSING The Responsible Authority (Liverpool City Council) Although this SRF doesn't directly influence licensing must therefore undertake a screening process to regulations, due to the presence of a significant night identify if an SEA is required. This is based on a time economy in the area, including pubs, clubs and standard set of criteria. If it is determined by the music venues and proposals for within this SRF for Responsible Authority that the SRF is unlikely to further music and entertainment uses, licensing is an 8 have significant environmental effects and does issue for the area. not require a full SEA, it must prepare a statement which provides reasons for this determination All matters concerning licensing should refer to the (i.e. the completed SEA screening letter) Statement of Licensing Policy (2016 – 2021) which aims to ensure a consistent approach to licensing A screening statement for this SRF was sent to within the City and promote fairness. The policy is statutory consultees for comments, LCC formed a to assist officers and members in reaching a decision conclusion that an SA/SEA would not be required on a particular application, setting out those matters for this SRF. Natural England also confirmed that a that will normally be taken into account. The Policy Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) Screening relates to all activities which require a license and exercise would not be required for this SRF either. include the sale by retail of alcohol and provision of regulated entertainment to the public or club All the statutory responses and further information members. can be found in the supporting Consultation Statement. The Cavern Quarter is allocated as a Special Cumulative Impact Policy (SCIP) which requires The Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square SRF stronger consideration to potential cumulative will not be adopted until after the Local Plan has impact issues in regards to proposals that require a been formally adopted. Should there be any major licence from the City Council. changes that are relevant to the SRF then the document will be reviewed and amended where If an application for a licence is required within the appropriate. Cavern Quarter, the proposal should consider the potential cumulative impact issues when setting out the steps taken to promote the licensing objectives in an application for licensing. Proposals should set out there will not be any negative cumulative impacts on one of more of the licencing objectives. 1.2 Study Area and Urban Context
ROYAL COURT RADIO CITY
QUEEN SQUARE BUS STATION
METQUARTER WILLIAMSON SQUARE THE PLAYHOUSE VICTORIA STREETSTANLEY STREET HOUGHTON STREET
WHITECHAPEL BASNETT STREET
MATHEW STREET
ELLIOT STREET NORTH JOHN STREET
CAVERN QUARTER
CHURCH STREET
LORD STREET
9
The study area lies at the heart of the city centre - it Abutting the Cavern Quarter to the northeast is the ▲ The site area and surrounding area of includes the narrow streets and ginnels within the Metquarter, a significant retail and entertainment influence legendary Cavern Quarter, the busy Whitechapel, destination. Whitechapel transects the study area, and on its other side, Williamson Square, with the and creates the unifying space that binds it. It forms cherished Playhouse Theatre. another spine of the city, becoming Paradise Street running through Liverpool One to the south of the It is a vital connecting piece between the main retail site. area to the south, and major transport hubs to the north; St John's to the east with the mercantile World To the north of Williamson Square is the Queen Heritage Site and CBD to the west; and linking the Square bus station, one of the city's major transport working heritage of the docks to the southwest with hubs, currently seeing over 1 million buses pass the civic embodiment of Liverpool of St George's through each year from as far as Bootle, Kirkby, plateau and the William Brown Street Cultural Preston, St Helens and Widnes. In its near vicinity is Quarter to the north. In acknowledgment of that the Lime Street Station, the city's main railway station. area within the red line does not sit in isolation, and in anticipation that some of the solutions for the area St John's Shopping Centre abuts the site to the east, lie outside it, the study included a wider area shown with its iconic Radio City Tower forming a landmark on the plan above. point of orientation within the city skyline.
The area is directly connected to some of the most notable streets and spaces in the city. To the south of Williamson Square lies Church Street which connects to Lord Street, that forms the southern boundary to the Cavern Quarter, and leads down to the Pier Head and waterfront. To the west lies the historic merchants district and now Commercial Business District (CBD). Victoria Street defines the northern boundary to the study area, famed for night-life venues and the adjoining LGBT+ quarter. 1.3 Existing Planning Policy Context
This section seeks to summarise key planning green infrastructure and development policies which have been considered when which is resilient to climate change; and formulating a set of development principles for the • Aims to sustain and enhance the Cavern Quarter/Williamson Sq. SRF area. historic environment through the The policy context for this SRF comprises: conservation of heritage assets.
• National Planning Policy Liverpool Unitary Development Plan Framework (NPPF) (2018), (November 2002) • Liverpool Unitary Development Plan (2002), The Liverpool Unitary Development Plan (UDP) was • Liverpool Local Plan (2018), adopted in 2002. Its saved policies, along with the Joint Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Plan (2013), • Joint Merseyside and Halton Waste form the current Development Plan for the city of Local Plan (2013) and; Liverpool. Liverpool City Council is preparing a new • Liverpool Maritime Mercantile World Heritage Local Plan for Liverpool which, once adopted, will Site - Supplementary Planning Document (2009). supersede the policies within the UDP. Therefore, these UDP policies have not been considered at National Planning Policy Framework (July length; instead, the emerging Local Plan policies are 2018) considered in detail below. The National Planning Policy Framework came into Liverpool Local Plan (2018) effect in March 2012 and was revised in July 2018. It sets out the Government’s planning policies for This SRF will supplement and align itself with the England and how these are expected to be applied. emerging Liverpool Local Plan. As stated, once 10 There is a presumption in favour of sustainable adopted the Local Plan will replace the Liverpool development and economic growth, whilst UDP (2002). The intention is to then adopt this SRF balancing and protecting the needs and priorities of as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to the communities without adversely impacting on future Local Plan. generations. Once adopted development proposals within the The NPPF states that planning policies and decisions area should comply with relevant Local Plan policies. should support development that makes efficient This SPD will supplement Local Plan policies, once use of land, taking into account both the desirability adopted and specifically: of maintaining an area’s prevailing character and setting whilst promoting regeneration and change. Policy CC7: Protecting and Enhancing the This SRF intends to guide sustainable regeneration in Main Retail Area the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square area and thus, is supported by the NPPF. The Main Retail Area (MRA) will be protected and enhanced by encouraging non-food retailing and The Framework also: other town centre uses within the MRA. The SRF will take into account the area’s existing identity and will • Highlights the importance of three dimensions include guidance for how future development can to sustainable development (economic, social strengthen and enhance the area. and environmental) to contribute to building a strong, responsive and competitive economy; Policy CC8: Non-A1 Uses within the City • Promotes sustainable travel, accessible by a Centre MRA range of sustainable modes of transport with access to a variety of services and facilities; This policy guides planning permission for ground flood level primary and secondary retail frontages. • Emphasises that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development and should Policy CC9: The Cavern Quarter contribute to making places better for people; This policy supports the creation of a vibrant and • Advocates for an inclusive planning diverse area with a mix of tourist, retail, food and system which aims to involve all drink uses. The purpose of this SRF is to provide sections within the community; further detail in respect of this policy to ensure the • Seeks to conserve and enhance the natural delivery of its objectives. environment through introduction of new Joint Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Liverpool Maritime Mercantile World Plan (July 2013) Heritage Site – Supplementary Planning Document (2009) The Joint Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Plan (WLP) was adopted in July 2013 and is the first Local The World Heritage Site SPD was adopted by the Plan to be successfully produced between the six Council in 2009. This SPD recognises the mutually councils of the Liverpool City Region (LCR). The WLP supporting agendas of growth and conservation intends to support the LCR in improved waste and and aims to sustainably manage these two for the resource management and sets out a number of Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage policies which are now material to the consideration Site (WHS). Guidance is provided for protecting and of planning applications. enhancing the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the WHS whilst also encouraging investment and Statement of Licensing Policy 2016-2021 – development. Licensing Act 2003 (2017) As a large proportion of the Cavern Quarter is This Statement of Licensing Policy (2017) statement located within the WHS and Williamson Square the aims to reinforce and promote the continuing growth WHS Buffer Zone, this document is an important of premises and events which are licensable under consideration in the protection of Liverpool’s OUV. A the Licensing Act 2003. The City Council as Licensing large proportion of the Cavern Quarter resides within Authority promotes the four licensing objectives: ‘Character Area 4: The Commercial District – Castle Street, Dale Street and Old Hall Street Conservation • Prevention of crime and disorder; Area’. This character area covers the historic • Promotion of public safety; mercantile, commercial and civic centre of Liverpool and is focused on Dale Street and Victoria Street. • Prevention of public nuisance; and 11 • Protection of children from harm. Guidance within Section 4 of the SPD seeks to ensure new development in these areas is designed to a The Licensing Authority expects applicants for high standard, is accessible to all and reflects the premises licenses and variations thereof should have historic character of the surrounding area. Section 6 already obtained necessary planning consent before provides guidance specific to each Character Area. It making their application under the Licensing Act states that Character Area 4 will remain at the heart 2003. Licensing applications should not be a re-run of the City and that regeneration should bring vibrant of the planning application (e.g. licensing considers mixed-use developments into the area. Additionally, public nuisance whereas planning considers it states that architecture of new buildings must amenity). complement standards set by existing historic stock. Applicants in the site will therefore need to assess The Cavern Quarter Special Cumulative Impact the impact of their proposals on the OUV of the WHS. Policy (SCIP) was introduced in March 2012. The area encompassed by this SCIP includes Mathew Ensuring a Choice of Travel SPD and Button Streets and several surrounding streets. The SCIP ensures that if anyone applies for a grant This document provides guidance for developers of a new premises licence/club premises certificate, with regard to requirements for access and transport. or a variation of an existing premises licence for any The main objectives of the SPD are to: licensable activities, then there is a presumption • Ensure that there is reasonable access against granting such an application where it is to new developments, through a good considered likely to add to the existing cumulative choice of transport methods; impact. • Reduce the environmental impact of travel; In addition to Local Plan policy, a number of Adopted Supplementary Planning Documents are • Improve road safety; material consideration in determining proposals in • Promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the the area. level of traffic growth and congestion; and • Reduce car parking spaces in new developments where appropriate.
As the SRF seeks to improve connectivity and the public realm of the Cavern Quarter & Williamson Sq. area, development will need to incorporate requirements for access and active transport into the design at the earliest possible stage. Design for Access for All SPD Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site Management Plan 2017-2024 This Supplementary Planning Document sets out LCC’s requirements in respect of provision for The WHS Management Plan for Liverpool sets out disabled people in new development and advises the Council’s approach to the effective protection developers on how to integrate inclusive design and management of the World Heritage Site. The principles into their proposals, to ultimately produce approach encompasses the basic principles of inclusive buildings and public realm. For the SRF heritage management and aims to establish a area to be regenerated successfully, development more valued role and active profile for the WHS must take these considerations into account at the in Liverpool. Refreshed governance, stronger outset of the design process to fully integrate them public engagement and a clearer set of principles into the public realm. contribute towards conservation of the WHS’s OUV.
SUMMARY The planning policy set out above underpins the planning framework within this SRF. The vision for the site area aligns itself with emerging planning policy. ▼ Plan of emerging SRF's in Liverpool
12 Fabric District
St. George’s Quarter COMMERCIAL BUSINESS Lime DISTRICT SRF Street Station CAVERN QUARTER AND UPPER WILLIAMSON CENTRAL Knowledge Quarter SQUARE SRF Central SRF Station
Ropewalks
BALTIC TRIANGLE SRF
Georgian Quarter 1.4 The SRF in Context
In a context of wider urban transformation, LCC is BALTIC TRIANGLE SRF currently undertaking a programme of delivering SRF's across Liverpool City Centre. The site area The endorsement of an SRF by the Council was a occupies a crucial position within this context - reaction to increasing developmental pressures that politically, socially, economically and geographically. have recently jeopardised the existing uses of the This SRF provides a missing piece of the puzzle - it fast-growing digital and creative hub. The framework demonstrates the significance of these sites in linking aims to guide and manage future development of the city's districts, within an emerging network of the 93 acre Baltic Triangle area into a sustainable place strategies. mixed use neighbourhood, while protecting the growth of the established industries, and provide the local planning authority with the tools to manage UPPER CENTRAL SRF development within the area. The Upper Central Spatial Regeneration Framework covers more than 56 acres at the heart of the city TALL BUILDINGS SRF centre and represents the city gateway to the already established Knowledge Quarter. It includes The emerging SPD will look to assess appropriate a number of the city's key landmark buildings along, height in relation to existing buildings and the amongst others Renshaw Street and Brownlow environment, identify appropriate locations and the Hill, and aspires to add to this buildings stock, potential for “tall building clusters” in the City Centre while improving the quality of the public realm and encourage best practice in building design. environment and movement through it. The document will guide all future planning applications in the area and provides developers with detailed information on design and build issues. 13 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT SRF The Commercial Business District (CBD) Spatial Regeneration Framework seeks to attract new commercial investment and maximise the potential of the existing business district. It will focus on development to support the creation of a vibrant and successful commercial district and respond to the increasing demand for office space within the city. The SRF will also concentrate on the connections between the district and its surroundings.
Understanding the Area 2.1 Built Heritage
In the 14th century the township of Liverpool with 116 cast iron columns and divided into five different its original seven streets was clustered around the shopping aisles. The market, as well as Theatre Royal higher ground of the castle - today the location of was demolished in the late 1960s, and replaced by Derby Square (1). To the south, the tidal pool marked the current extension to St Johns Market in 1971. the limit of occupation, beyond which was the Great Heath with the Moss lake occupying the area The area now known as Cavern Quarter was by around Canning. The Fall Well, which was the main the beginning of the 19th century a series of courts water supply, was located in the area of St George’s houses, warehouses and industry, bisected by a plateau. A bridge crossed the tidal pool at the end series of narrow alleyways, and as the city continued of Dale Street, and connected to William Brown to expand, the area became less salubrious. As part Street, leading to London Road - the main turnpike of the by-laws introduced in Liverpool which led to accessing Liverpool. To the north were field systems the widening of Castle Street, Dale Street and Lord and the boggy ground of Salthouse Moor. Street, a new street was driven through the area in 1867 - Victoria Street (6). This was aligned through By 1644 the town had Civil War defences. The area extending the existing Temple Court through a now comprising Mathew Street and the Cavern swathe of poor quality housing, and continuing Quarter were fields, and contained the artillery to until it met the northern end of Whitechapel. This protect the town from Prince Rupert’s assaults. The allowed for the re-development of the area to stone Townsend Bridge at the end of Dale Street include warehousing and offices, as well as street was deliberately sabotaged by the Parliamentarian widening to try and prevent the re-occurrence of defenders to prevent the Royalist troops from earlier unsanitary conditions. The area became entering, and the only other access across the pool almost entirely commercial in character and use, was by ferry, located at the junction of present day and the centre for fruit and vegetable trading and Whitechapel and Church Street (2). By 1650, the ferry warehousing for the city. In contrast, the area 16 had been replaced by a bridge, but little seems to around Williamson Square lost its residential uses have changed, with the town limited to its original, and became part of the grander retail area, as an mediaeval streets. The landowners names are extension of the Lord Street-Church Street offer. shown on contemporary maps, including Mathew Pluckington and Harrington. These were to have The site area formed part of the Historic Downtown two of the streets named after them when the study area of the city, within character area 4 as defined area was laid out in the 1720’s. As Georgian Liverpool within the World Heritage Site today. It was grew in power and importance, establishing itself associated with the commercial activity of the as a trading hub, the land around the port became maritime mercantile city, a thriving and dense a valuable commodity. This fact was not lost on a area of grand buildings fronting onto the principle Mister Mathew Pluckington who secured a large streets, and a series of smaller warehouse and plot not too distant from the lucrative waterfront. storage buildings that ran from the frontages into His purchase became known as Pluckington’s Alley, the narrower side-streets. The offices were the home to a horde of traders and residents. ‘shop-windows’ for the goods and services offered by Liverpool, and the warehouses and store- By 1725, the pool had been infilled, with the rooms provided the ‘back-of-house’ and utilitarian alignment of Lord Street/Church Street established, functionality that was an essential part of the and Paradise Street cutting through them. Despite commercial activity of the city as entrepôt. this, much of the area to the south of the former tidal pool remained undeveloped. At this stage, At that time the area around the Cavern Quarter Whitechapel was known as Frog Lane, a name was characterised by a whole series of seemingly associated with the marshy ground around the unrelated activities. Some of these were industrial banks of the tidal pool as a breeding place for in character, such as iron foundry works, breweries colonies of frogs. In 1663, it was ordered that “no and mills, whilst others held amenity value such as more boats to be built in Frog Lane” (3). public houses and shops. The degree of sounds, smells and activity in 1888 would have been very Williamson Square was laid out as a residential different to the contemporary sensory feel and ▲ The Pool of Liverpool square in 1745, and boasted two theatres - the character of the area, with industrial processes such overlayed over a map of the city from Victorian Playhouse and the Theatre Royal, the latter re- as storage and distribution, printing, brewing and times, date unknown built in 1802 with a striking curved façade (4). The iron manufacturing providing a level of noise and Playhouse was originally the Star Music Hall, but associated activity through continuous movement became the Liverpool Repertory Company in 1911 - of goods by drays. Two of the principal activities in one of the first repertory theatres in England. this part of the commercial quarter were printing and fruit merchants, with the offices of the Liverpool St John’s market originally opened in 1822 between Echo located at the nearby buildings which are now Great Charlotte Street and Market Street (5). A simple, the Shankly Hotel, and with the Produce and Fruit orthogonal building of nearly 2 acres, supported by Exchange buildings also nearby on Victoria Street. 17
6 1 2 3 4 5 2.2 Cultural Heritage
As trade began to fall away from Liverpool, many of A local entrepreneur Peter O’Halligan interpreted Carl the buildings within the site area became redundant, Jung's dream recounted in 'Memories, Dreams and and a series of new uses were found as entrepreneurs Reflections' in 1927 as taking place where Mathew took advantage of lower rents. One of them was Street, Rainford Square and Temple Court meet. Alan Sytner who opened a jazz club in 1957 in a He leased an old fruit warehouse in 1974, moved in warehouse basement on 10 Mathew Street, calling and set up 'a hub of free thinkers' - what would later it The Cavern, after the Paris jazz club Le Caveau De become the Liverpool School of Language, Music, La Huchette. Soon it became a popular venue for UK Dream and Pun. They unveiled the 'Liverpool is the and international jazz and blues artists. pool of life C.G. JUNG. 1927' plaque in 1976 and became a gathering point for Liverpool's 'wannabe The Cavern hosted regular matinees where one could bohemians', including Bill Drummond, who was at enjoy live music for a cheap price. The Beatles first the time building sets for the Everyman Theatre, performed there in 1961 and their lunchtime sessions Jayne Casey and Ken Campbell who set up the started attracting a wide local audience. Later that Science Fiction Theatre of Liverpool and staged year they were 'discovered' by Brian Epstein when a legendary production of Robert Anton Wilson’s he took a walk from his family owned NEMS record ‘Illuminatus!’. store to the club. He managed to get them a record deal, but continued to play at the Cavern until 1963 The area's vibrancy continued in the 1980s - Wade - a total of 292 performances. They symbolised the Smith opened a fashion department store which success of the Merseybeat scene and the new rock became a real gamechanger in street style and and roll sound that was created with the help of Cricket opened its doors in 1991. They both had a American records brought home by sailors on their significant impact on the city's fashion taste and transatlantic crossings. market. 18 The Cavern closed in 1973 and was soon after The new Cavern Club reopened in 1984 as part of demolished - British Rail took ownership and was to the development of Cavern Walks - the new club clear that part of Mathew Street to build a ventilation was partly built with excavated bricks from the shaft for the city’s new underground railway loop. original Cavern and eventually became a successful This was never realised and the area became a car landmark of the area and Liverpool in general. park until the wider redevelopment of the site in the 1980s and the development of the Cavern Walks. The other side of Whitechapel saw the redevelopment of Queen Square and new bus PUNK AND NEW WAVE terminal in the mid 1990s, severing its historic links to St John's Garden. Williamson Square was In the meantime the Cavern re-opened across the successfully redesigned for the Capital of Culture in street with varying success. Three years later, in 2008 with the introduction of public fountains. 1976, it becomes Eric's - a short running, but hugely successful music club which hosted The Clash, Sex Pistols and Joy Division, amongst others. They also introduced matinee shows, ahead of the main evening show, as well as Saturday morning sessions when anyone could come and play. Local groups took advantage of that and many played their first gigs there before embarking on wider international success, including Big in Japan and Echo and the Bunnymen.
The new generation were distancing themselves from The Beatles, with only the Cavern Mecca in the early 1980s trying to revive this interest. With the Armadillo Tea Rooms on Mathew Street opened since the early 1970s and Probe Records moving from Clarence Street to Button Street in 1976, this gave rise to a new and rich alternative scene. Layers of events, myths and legends started to unfold in these years. ▶ The Beatles in front of the Cavern, early 1960s
▶▶ Queue for one of the Cavern's matinees, early 1960s
19
▶ Probe Records, 1980s
▶ Wade Smith, early 1980s 2.3 Surrounding Developments
St John's Lane
Dale Street
Lime Street Whitechapel
Victoria Street Roe Street
Stanley Street Dawson Street
North John Street Mathew Street Lime Street
Elliot Street
Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street Parker Street
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LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE DEMOLITION OF CHURCHILL WAY CONNECTIVITY SCHEME FLYOVERS KEY Liverpool City Centre The scheme includes eight major centre-wide The two roads that link Lime Street to both Dale Connectivity Scheme regeneration projects who's key aim is to achieve a Street and Tithebarn Street, and run directly behind Demolition of Churchill major reduction in congestion, improve pedestrian the city’s museums on William Brown Street are Way flyovers and cycle movement and create event spaces. Bus in the process of being demolished (as of October Metquarter - Upgrade traffic will be reduced in many parts of the city centre 2019), after a review found that they were not with Queen Square bus station repositioned for all adequate to carry either vehicles or pedestrians. Planned change of use northbound routes and Paradise Street station for all southbound routes. The key projects affecting the FORMER GEORGE HENRY LEE SRF area include: ▲ Surrounding BUILDING Developments Plan Lime Street: Creating a new gateway into the city New plans have emerged to convert the George from Liverpool Lime Street Station and a new events Henry Lee building on Church Street into a hotel, space for St George’s Plateau. with a casino in the basement. Victoria Street and Tithebarn Street: Enhancing the area for public use and improving connectivity METQUARTER through the city by introducing a new cycle link The Everyman Cinema opened in the Metquarter in between Lime Street and the Waterfront. December 2018. The opening is part of Metquarter's City Bus Hub: Creating a new bus layover with multi-million pound redevelopment programme welfare facilities in Old Haymarket for buses leaving aiming to change how the centre is viewed by Queen Square, thus reducing congestion and shoppers. pollution in the city centre. CAVERN WALKS
Liverpool hotel firm Signature Living have agreed to buy the famous Cavern Walks shopping centre and plan to transform part of the shopping centre into a luxury hotel. 2.4 Access and Movement
St John's Lane
Dale Street
Lime Street Whitechapel
Victoria Street Roe Street
Stanley Street Dawson Street
North John Street Mathew Street Lime Street
Elliot Street
Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street Parker Street
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STREETS COACH DROP OFF KEY Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square sit on the There is no official coach drop within the area, Transport hubs boundary of the pedestrianised zone of the City although there are regular drop off’s on Victoria Multi-storey car parks Centre. From a pedestrian perspective the areas Street for tourists visiting the Cavern. Taxis to the north of the sites are more difficult to move through and navigate. SERVICING Pedestrianised street Coach drop off BUSES Servicing within the Cavern Quarter is strictly controlled and vehicles with permits are only Restricted access - bollards Queen Square bus station lies to the north of allowed in between 11PM and 10AM. Williamson Square. It brings a part of 8 million Playhouse servicing passengers it serves yearly across to Williamson The servicing tunnel to Marks and Spencer runs M&S servicing tunnel Square. With the development of the Liverpool City underneath Williamson Square and because of Centre Connectivity Scheme, it is expected that this it there are structural loading limitations on the volume will only increase in the coming years. The square. The Playhouse Theatre is serviced across the bus station is also an important facility for the Royal square as well. ▲ Access and Movement Plan Court and Playhouse Theatres. TAXIS
A taxi rank is situated on Dawson Street and like the bus station it acts as a draw for people to the area, and is vital for people getting to the town centre and the theatres. However, it also creates a negative edge along Whitechapel and detracts from the quality of the public realm in this area. 2.5 Arriving in to Williamson Square
The experience of the square is determined in great ◀ Arriving from Queen part by the experiential quality of its streets and Square spaces that connect to, and extend out from the square.
1. Houghton Street - The approach from Houghton Street is good, with the quality of the townscape building a sense of anticipation for arrival at the square. However, this sense of arrival is often diminished by the location of a burger van. 2. Basnett Street - The approach along Basnett Street is diminished by a long section of inactive edge along the Marks and Spencers building which offers no visual interest. ◀ Arriving from Haughton However, the building on the right offers an Street engaging display to pedestrians. Basnett Street also provides articulated lorry access to the Playhouse Theatre and must be maintained. 3. Tarleton Street - The long stretch of inactive edge along the Marks and Spencers building 22 offers no visual interest and no reciprocity with the life on the opposite side of the street. The view dissipates across the square, ending with unremarkable side elevations of the Queens Square carpark, and nothing to hold the view. 4. Richmond Street - Arriving from Richmond Street is a positive experience. The fine grain townscape creates rhythm and intrigue, ◀ Dawson Street and the street is bustling with activity. The Playhouse and Radio City tower are striking focal points, aligning with the street and creating a strong visual landmark to announce the square from a distance. 5. Dawson Street - Arriving from Dawson Street the pedestrian is confronted with the harsh exterior of the St John's extension and an expansive taxi rank. At the entrance to the square there lies cluttered street furniture which obscures the view across the square. 6. Roe Street - The arrival from Lime Street station ◀ Richmond Street is disjointed, jarring and unpleasant, and in some cases dangerous as pedestrians conflict with vehicle movements. Along Roe Street the lack of containment and architectural rhythm adds to a sense of disorientation, and gives no sense of approaching the square. The passage below the Matalan footbridge is perceived by many as a problem area and friction point on their journey. 2.6 Arriving in to Cavern Quarter
The Cavern Quarter has a unique urban form within ▶ Entrance from North John Street the city. It's narrow lanes and streets, and tightly packed activity give it a sense of mystery and intrigue.
This urban form imbues a powerful sense of exploration and discovery in visitors - an asset that can be channelled and enhanced through improved street and experiential design. This sense of mystery extends onto the abounding streets, where glimpsed views of the interior give a sense of intrigue and invite exploration.
1. Mathew Street - This drawing-in effect is ▶ Entrance from Stanley achieved particularly well from both ends of Street Mathew Street. At Stanley Street the quality of the architecture and the townscape fronting onto the nodal space within creates an attractive and inviting scene. The banner and gateway details could be improved, and the lighting is poor. From North John Street the activity surrounding the Cavern Club creates 23 intrigue, although the gateway details should be upgraded to accentuate the sense of arrival. 2. Temple Court - The curving façades draw into the Cavern Quarter well with attractive architecture, though the damaged and poorly maintained catenery lighting detracts ▶ Entrance from Dorans from the appearance of the quarter. Lane 3. Button Street - The striking architecture of the former Probe Records shop addressing the entrance of Button Street is let down by the inactive edges and cluttered street furniture. 4. Dorans Lane - The long inactive alleyway presents an harsh, unappealing and potentially intimidating route with little visual interest. The view is terminated by a drab facade, and the nodal space does nothing to draw pedestrians in. 5. Harrington Street - The servicing entrances and lack of activity or visual interest gives a ▶ Entrance from Button neglected feel to this back street, compounded Street by the disused walkway spanning the street and the blank elevation which terminates the view. 2.7 Designated Heritage Assets
Stanley Street Temple Court Dawson Street
Victoria Street
Roe Street
FRUIT PRODUCE Richmond Street EXCHANGE EXCHANGE PLAYHOUSE Rainford Gardens THEATRE North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
CENTRAL BUILDINGS/ HARD DAYS NIGHT HOTEL Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 24
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UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE the British Commonwealth. The architecture charts the development of Liverpool as a global trading KEY A large portion of the Cavern Quarter falls within the powerhouse, and the ornamentation, craftsmanship Listed building UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated Liverpool - and pioneering feats of engineering define the Maritime Mercantile City. This area reflects the role of character of this historic part of the city. WHS - Maritime Liverpool as 'the supreme example of a commercial Mercantile City port at the time of Britain's greatest global influence.' Castle Street LISTED BUILDINGS Conservation Area The commercial buildings within the study area Grade II listed buildings within the Cavern Quarter testify to the Outstanding Universal Value of the tell the story of its history, including early 20th World Heritage Site in terms of form, design and century goods warehouses - Produce Exchange ▲ Plan of Listed Buildings materials, reflecting the significance of the city as Buildings and the Fruit Exchange - and office and Conservation Areas a crucial node in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and buildings, like the 1870s Central Buildings, which later a world mercantile centre for general cargo today house the Hard Days Night Hotel and the early and mass European emigration to the New World. 19th century 23 Mathew Street. Temple Court houses The warehouses within the Cavern Quarter speak of two early 19th century buildings - 6 Temple Court Liverpool's heritage of entrepreneurialism. (office) and 8 Temple Court (warehouse). The 19th century Grade II listed office building on 81-89 Lord CASTLE STREET CONSERVATION Street backs onto Button Street. AREA The Grade II* listed Playhouse Theatre is significant The majority of the site also lies within the Castle as an early and rare work by one of the pioneers of Street Conservation Area considered 'outstanding' the Liverpool School of Architecture, in the Grecian in the national context by Historic England, forming style favoured by the school at that date. It is also the traditional business centre of Liverpool and is historically important as one of the first repertory composed of buildings significant for their role in theatres in Britain. The foyers added later, composed Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian commercial of two cylindrical cantilevered projections largely development. clad in glass, have been described as adding "a vivacious tone making the theatre a place to see and The buildings express the pride, aspiration and be seen in the true spirit of 1960's theatre going, a prosperity of these societies during the height of true citizens' theatre." 2.8 Myths and Memories
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street Williamson Street Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 25
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This part of the city is uniquely layered with myth, Epstein's stroll to a matinee show at the Cavern KEY memory and associated meaning - it is rich with to see an unknown group, The Beatles - "the most Armadillo Tearooms hidden history. While the memory of the Beatles famous stroll in Rock'n'Roll". looms large, the area is riddled with alternative Bridge at Frog Lane stories that have left their own legacies, and are The Pool of Life swells beneath the streets in this part Epstein's Walk fundamental to the understanding of the place. of Liverpool. Mathew Pluckington sold his soul to the Devil on The Playhouse Williamson Square was once home to not one, but Mathew Street. Bill Drummond found ley lines to Eric’s Dukebox two nationally significant theatres. At the Theatre converge there. Carl Jung saw it in a dream. Focal Point Gallery Royal, a child star became so celebrated that 'Bettymania' broke out. Liverpudlians were so into Golden Triangle of The area lives large in the minds of those who grew Punk up through the 80s, when it was home to the 'Golden their theatre, that the Playhouse was formerly known Triangle of Punk'. The Armadillo Tearooms left a as 'The Bloodbath' on account of it's discerning Harrington Bar huge cultural legacy and a DIY ethos that continues audience. NEMS to drive the creative underbelly of the city today - St John's shopping centre also has an unexpectedly PROBE Records "Anything is possible, you just have to dream it". rich cultural heritage, formerly being home to several Pluckington’s Pool Ken Campbell's Illuminatus! production left an live music venues in the precinct, including Rotter's Rotter’s indelible imprint on the theatre and performance and The Moonstone. art world, and galvanised the city towards brave and The Gramophone Suite These historic happenings have reverberated unbridled creativity. Wade Smiths through time and deserve to be revealed and Illuminatus! Hidden on Harrington Street is the former Harrington celebrated more widely. They continue to inform the culture and the character of the place, living in Bill Drummond's 'Ley Bar, which goes unnoticed, but pioneered electronic Lines' dance music, and became a mourning site for Bowie collective the memory of the city. However, through amplifying their cultural resonance and visibility, it Allan Ginsberg's fans when he died. chanting walk will help to shape a more rich and nuanced image of On Whitechapel, the significance of NEMS in the the place. The Pool of Life history of pop music is uncelebrated, along with Jungfest
Bettymania ▲ Plan of Myths and Memories The 'Bloodbath' 2.9 Character
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 26
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Three built characters can be identified within the Some of the architectural details of note that define site area, based upon the historic grain and building the character of the area include arches, columns, KEY typology, which survive despite the introduction horizontal banding, use of stone and cornices, which Historic buildings of modern buildings during previous decades. define the ceremonial architecture of mercantile within the Cavern Built character significantly influences people's buildings and the utilitarian brick architecture of Quarter experience of an area. warehouse buildings. 19th Century unlisted buildings with direct connections with CAVERN QUARTER The area is characterised by use of Portland stone, granite, brick and stone, which define a palette the fruit & produce industries The scale of the buildings on the perimeter of the of materials, colours, tones and textures found Cavern Quarter creates a sense of a boundary - an ubiquitously throughout the area. Unlisted buildings with potential for being inside and an outside - and is conducive to a sense enhanced as local of intrigue. Inside, there is a pronounced height- However, the beauty and impact of the historic landmarks width ratio of streets and spaces of a coherent form, buildings have been diluted through lack of Finer grain, smaller scale and proportion. The historical evolution of maintenance of the historic buildings and the scale historic buildings the Cavern Quarter and the city can be read in this addition of modern signage, low quality badly placed around Williamson distinctive local grain and pattern of development. artworks and poor quality shopfronts and cladding. Square Larger footprint The buildings are a mix of warehouses, offices (some WILLIAMSON SQUARE contemporary with basement warehousing) or salerooms, all with buildings direct links to the fruit and produce industries that The most positive and striking feature within 'Dark streets' centred around this area. Even where the buildings Williamson Square is the Grade II* listed Playhouse Theatre with its contrasting, but successful mix of are offices, many occupants were fruit merchants, Extent of WHS fruit importers and fruit brokers - in the 19th century the original Victorian theatre and its Modernist 1960s and early 20th century, this was considered the 'Fruit extension. Towering behind it is one of Liverpool's Quarter' of the city. iconic landmarks - the Radio City tower. The square is further defined by the contrast of old and new, ▲ Character Plan with a less pleasant mix of the original grain (the Square's eastern edge) and larger footprint modern retail buildings. The streets leading to Williamson Square from WHITECHAPEL Church Street - Williamson Street, Tarleton Street and Basnett Street - are known within the The width of the street and big footprint retail community as the 'dark streets', owing to their lack buildings forming Whitechapel give it a strong of footfall, activity, quality street lighting and vacant modern city centre character, clearly identifying or poor quality ground floor uses and surfaces. Their it with the Main Retail Area. Remaining historic scale however offers a counterpoint to the more buildings anchor it within its context and have the grand parades of the primary retail areas - they potential of attracting footfall into the smaller scale contain the original street pattern as it was laid out environments of the Cavern Quarter and Williamson in the late 1790s and early 1800s. Where 19th and Square. 20th century redevelopment has occurred, the plot pattern has generally not changed and the area maintains an intimate scale to its streets that reflects its historic character and appearance.
A number of building still exist from this period and a number of the individual buildings have good façade details that contribute positively to the historic and architectural character and appearance of the city. However, these buildings are often in a poor state of repair (see Building Condition on page 32) and in addition to the lack of activity, makes the streets uninviting and insecure. 27
▶ Williamson Square's historic frontage
▶▶ Corner building on Whitechapel
▶ The Cavern Quarter's historic warehouses
▶▶ Lord Street/Dorans lane - a mix of historic and contemporary 28 2.10 Existing Building Heights
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 29
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CAVERN QUARTER WHITECHAPEL KEY Within the Cavern Quarter the building height The height of the buildings along Whitechapel 1 storey is defined by the historic uses of the heritage creates a strong relationship of scale with 2 storeys buildings as food storage warehouses and offices. the historic buildings of the Cavern Quarter 3 storeys The height of 6 storeys or below was limited by and give the street a coherence. the practicalities of working vertically and the 4 storeys architectural technology of the day. Such narrow The scale breaks down between Whitechapel 5 storeys face-to-face distances between the buildings give and Williamson Square, with a collection of lower, small footprint buildings lining 6 storeys a sense of monumentality to the internal streets. Richmond, Tarleton and Williamson Street. 7 storeys The Cavern Walks building breaks the height 8+ storeys datum set by the historic buildings as a WILLIAMSON SQUARE more recent addition to the built fabric. The grand scale of The Playhouse theatre lends The height is also broken down in places by it to being the dominant feature of the square. ▲ Heights Plan buildings that have survived from earlier times The historic buildings lining the western edge with enduring uses. The Grapes pub, the White Star of the square indicate the more intimate scale and Casa Italia each break down this scale, giving of the connecting streets. Excluding the M&S ◀ Playhouse Theatre on moments of domestic scale and acting as landmarks extension, the buildings on the northern and Williamson Square within the overall composition of buildings. southern edges of the square are of insufficient scale to give the square a sense of enclosure The buildings set along the fringes of the study and lead to it feeling ill-proportioned. area set up and conform with a coherent height datum along the abounding streets, and are of an Abutting the study area, Radio City Tower forms a appropriately grand scale within this historic part of height accent and creates a skyline landmark. The the city. surrounding buildings are of a moderate scale, which helps to accentuate the visual power of the tower. 2.11 Ground Floor Land Use
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 30
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CAVERN QUARTER WILLIAMSON SQUARE KEY Within the Cavern Quarter's internal streets there is The western edge of Williamson Square is occupied a predominance of entertainment and leisure uses - by food and drink establishments and a betting shop Shopping Centre the bars, pubs and clubs that the area is famous for. on one of the prime corner plots. The southern edge Shops This is interspersed with a number of other different is dominated by the vacant M&S extension, along Professional Service uses, notably hotels catering to the high volumes of with the finer grain of a job centre, cafe, and barber's. tourism, a number of restaurants, and the Magical The northern edge of the square is dominated by Eateries and Takeaways Beatles Museum. A smaller number of independent large footprint retail units which fall within the Main Bars and pubs businesses are also found in this area. Retail Area, but are not designated as primary retail Theatre frontages. The eastern edge of the square is home to Museum Cavern Walks currently hosts a smaller number of the Playhouse - the square's cultural anchor. well established businesses, including Vivienne Public Service Westwood and Christopher James, which contribute Williamson, Tarleton and Basnett Streets are Hotels and Hostels greatly to the character of the area. However, Cricket dominated by finer grain, as well as large retail has after almost 30 years moved to the Metquarter, units, including several popular food and drink Currently Vacant leaving the area without important footfall of its establishment on Tarleton Street. A number of Unknown clientele. smaller-footprint units have however been left vacant. Richmond Street's fine grain of hosts a dense Along Whitechapel there is a predominance of retail mixture of retail, siu generis betting shops and pawn ▲ Land Use Plan units, aligning strongly with the context of the Main brokers, hot food, and the landmark Richmond Pub. Retail Area, and the Primary Retail Frontages in place along these streets. 2.12 Upper Floors Occupancy
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 31
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There are many vacant upper floors within the study WHITECHAPEL KEY area, which have adverse effects upon the character and life of the streets below. The lack of occupancy Along Whitechapel and the connecting streets the Semi-occupied or general case is that the two first upper floors above vacant upper floor results in a lack of street activity and informal surveillance, contributing to a sense of neglect and a unit are used as storage facilities or office space, safety down the streets. Conversely, areas of high while the rest of the building remains unoccupied. Vacancy of upper floors coincide most of the time ▲ Upper Floors Occupancy occupancy and mix of uses enjoy a vibrant street life around the clock. with poor building conditions (see p 32-33) and thus Plan an overall sense of neglect. CAVERN QUARTER WILLIAMSON SQUARE Within the Cavern Quarter there are numerous vacant upper floors, which previously performed The buildings surrounding Williamson Square are commercial functions. This, in combination with the often big retail shops with one dedicated active often neglected state of the buildings, contributed frontage in high streets then inactive or passive to the downplayed experience of this highly visited frontages on secondary streets. tourist attraction. The city-wide trend towards There is a concentration of vacant upper floors residential conversion has made the area a site of around Williamson square and the two main artery interest for developers, which will require careful Tarleton and Basnett streets. This contributes to a consideration within an area whose character and lack of street activity on of the streets at ground floor function is so closely related to it's night-time offer. level. 2.13 Building Condition
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 32
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GENERAL CONDITION WILLIAMSON SQUARE KEY Overall the condition of buildings in the site area is A great majority of buildings including Lord Street, poor due to poor maintenance and a very poor state Church Street, Whitechapel, North John Street In need of maintenance* of repair. This tends to coincide with upper floor and Houghton Street are in a poor state of repair Poor state of repair* vacancies (see p31) which create a general sense of and condition. It is particularly visible in streets of Very poor state of repair* neglect and disrepair. secondary and tertiary flow where frontages are
mainly inactive. *Building condition survey based Premises on the ground floors rarely impact on on street level observation. Further, the general state of the building. Streets of inactive Richmond Street is the exception as it is a street of detailed building condition surveys frontages are often treated as backstreets with primary flow in a very poor state of repair with very would be required to inform any no attention given to the facade, cleanliness and active ground floors but high vacancy levels in the detailed proposals. maintenance which creates an unwelcoming space upper floors. with a sense of insecurity. ▲ Buildings Condition Plan CAVERN QUARTER Cavern Quarter and the surrounding area have a low quality built environment due to the state of maintenance or repair of buildings which does not reflect well on the area’s history, heritage and high tourist interest. This could impact on a visitor’s appreciation and experience of the area and the wider city of Liverpool. ▶ Broken windows on a building in Temple Court
▶▶ Detail of the Fruit Exchange façade in poor state of repair
▶ Boarded up upper floors on Mathew Street
▶▶ The Cavern Walks entrance on Harrington Street is poorly maintained
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▶ Corner building on Harrington Street and Dorans Lane is in a poor state of repair
▶▶ The upper floors on a building facing Williamson Square seem neglected
▶ Façades in Richmond St in very poor state of repair
▶▶ Building in the corner of Tarleton St and Leigh St in very poor state of repair 2.14 Daytime Activity
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 34
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PEDESTRIAN FLOW AND DWELLING This character is only disrupted by the Scottish Power sub-station which presents an inactive and KEY The major daytime movement patterns across the unattractive edge to the street. site area can be roughly divided into: Pedestrian movement Mathew Street is one of the biggest attractions of Main tourist movement 1. Through movement of commuters and shoppers the site area and The Cavern and nearby statues Attraction from and to Queen Square bus terminal and and artwork are one of the few areas where people Sense of insecurity other transport hubs through Williamson Square, dwell within the site. This pattern is almost limited ! Whitechapel and towards the Main Retail Area to the western end of Mathew Street and the lack of signage and wayfinding often makes tourists 2. Movement of shoppers on Whitechapel and GROUND FLOORS wander in trying to find their destination. Mathew surrounding streets Inactive Street is fairly inactive during the daytime until Passive 3. Movement and dwelling of tourists and revellers drinking culture in places spills out onto the street, concentrated around The Cavern and other Beatles- particularly in the late afternoon hours. Public Oriented related attractions along Mathew Street. Occasionally Active During major city events however, the Cavern All of the streets within the site area are Quarter attracts both locals and visitors and its Active pedestrianised and the primary pedestrian flows are narrow streets become quickly congested. additionally supported by wide streets and active Temple Court has a largely positive interface with the frontages (please refer to p30 for information on ▲ Daytime Activity Plan street, though the vacant building to the northern ground floor uses). It is clear that streets with low end presents a passive frontage. On the other hand, pedestrian flows also suffer from a high percentage the street character of Rainford Square, Button Street of inactive ground floor activity and consequently and even Harrington Street, as well as Dorans Lane are used mainly as shortcuts with no points to stop is diminished by extensive stretches of inactive and or linger. passive ground floors - leading to a sense of unease for pedestrians. Some of the streets are lined with CAVERN QUARTER beautiful or intriguing buildings, but shutters are The street character of the Cavern Quarter is defined often down, not allowing for any interaction between by active bars, restaurants and shops that interface in and out. Additionally, retail units along Button positively with the public realm along Mathew Street. Street front onto Lord Street, and do nothing to ▶ Mathew Street during the day
▶▶ Mathew Street during city-wide celebrations
▶ RIchmond Street during the day
▶▶ Williamson Square during the day
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animate the street behind. With few other tourists the Playhouse Theatre has an attractive facade, but attractions and dwelling opportunities outside it remains inactive for the majority of the day, only Mathew Street, Cavern Quarter can seem quiet and generating activity in the hours before or after a unpopulated during the weekdays, save for the performance in the theatre. Particularly prominent occasional worker on a cigarette break. is the prime, but vacant frontage of the Marks and Spencers extension on the square's southern edge. WHITECHAPEL Paolo and Donato's is an anchor on Williamson The frontages along Lord Street and Whitechapel are Square - the awning and outdoor seating blur the positive being supported by a mix of uses, and create boundary between the indoor and the outdoor, and a vibrant shopping street character. As a typical high give the corner an attractive and vibrant character. streets, they attract high volumes of people and The other bars, cafés and restaurants fronting onto are used both as a destination and through route. the square create animation, with many offering The existing stalls also attract a certain amount of outdoor seating, but no others have awnings that dwelling, but the benches rarely get used. might extend the use of the square in bad weather.
WILLIAMSON SQUARE The side-streets of Williamson, Tarleton and Basnett Street are dotted with moments of activity with Williamson Square is a major through route in the small-footprint independent retailers, but are city, primarily because of its proximity to Queen undermined by long stretches of inactive edges. Square bus terminal and surrounding local and There are several vacant and shuttered units along regional transport hubs and car parks. On sunny days these streets, which contribute to a feeling of neglect however, the locals and tourists take advantage of and create dead zones of activity. While their scale the benches on the square - their layout and form do could offer an attractive counterpoint to the more restrict the comfort level and time one would enjoy grand parades of the primary retail areas, the lack the sun. of activity makes them uninviting and insecure. The exception to this rule is Richmond Street, which Large retail stores dominate the south facing edge enjoys a high-footfall as a desire-line for commuters, of the square and offer little animation or visual shoppers and tourists, and as a result has a vibrant interaction with the square - Matalan leads you street character and predominantly active, if straight to the first floor on escalators. Next to it, somewhat messy, frontages. 2.15 Nightime Activity
Stanley Street Dawson Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Button Street Williamson Street
Harrington Street Tarleton Street
Dorans Lane
Basnett Street Whitechapel
Lord Street Church Street 36
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CAVERN QUARTER of the area. It also narrows the tourist offer and has health and well-being implications. KEY The Cavern Quarter is notorious as a night life Inactive Frontages destination and hosts large numbers of visitors in Despite the high level of activity and high volume of the evening, with it's many bars and restaurants visitors along Mathew Street, the back-streets are Shut at 5-6pm generating high levels of activity. poorly lit and inactive during the night time, creating Shut at 6-7pm no-go zones and potential for pockets of illicit Shut at 7-8pm The streets can, however, feel threatening, activity. uninviting and unsafe. A recurring assessment from Late Opening consultation respondents, stakeholders and online Despite the number of negative opinions and reviews describing the area having 'two faces', with issues relating to the type of nightime economy the the character of the street shifting dramatically in the Cavern Quarter offers, it is still a valuable area of ▲ Nightime Activity Plan evening and on the weekends, and much anecdotal employment and business for the city and attracts evidence pointing to large rowdy groups of revellers large numbers of new visitors to the area, both exhibiting antisocial behaviour and at times resulting on weekends and larger events in the city. These in criminal escalations. positive aspects of the nightime economy will lead the regeneration of the area. This activity causes friction with the retailers in the area, who protect their shops with shutters in the WILLIAMSON SQUARE evenings, creating harsh and unattractive edges to the street. There is an additional issue of leftover The Playhouse Theatre comes to life during the waste and maintenance the following day. evening and illuminates Williamson Square with it's architectural grandeur. The activity, however, The focus on alcohol-related activities in the is short-lived, with little to retain the audience Quarter means that it is geared towards a certain in the square before or after performances, and demographic and age, excluding a wide range of the unattractive and sometimes intimidating people, including a great percentage of the local surrounding spaces presenting friction points for population, resulting in very negative perceptions theatre-goers. ▶ Mathew Street in the evening
▶▶ Mathew Street during a quiet evening
▶ Williamson Square on a winter evening
▶▶ The Playhouse Theatre in the evening
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The drinking establishments along the western edge of Williamson Square generate a considerable volume of nightime activity. However, the quality of this activity has been criticised because of the generated noise, antisocial behaviour and their narrow appeal. The northern and southern edges of the square remain inactive beyond 7pm, creating dead edges. The lack of activity and lack of light penetrating into the heart of square creates a dark void and makes it a space to avoid for many pedestrians during the night.
Williamson, Tarleton and Basnett Streets - the 'dark streets' - become similarly inhospitable spaces during the evenings, with very little animation beyond 7pm. The exception to this is Richmond Street, which remains busy into the evening, with the late-opening food and drink establishments animating the street. 2.16 Key Challenges
Through the development of a greater The non-physical issues can be more difficult understanding of the site, analysing the context, to identify and are more directly affected by an physical environment, as well as engagement individual's own perspective and experiences. More and consultation, a number of key issues have intangible in nature, but still very powerful in their been identified. These affect people's experience, effect on how we experience places, the non-physical perception and understanding of the study area and issues relate to feelings, emotions, memories and are for this purpose divided into physical and non- associations with place. physical. A summary of the key issues are set out over the The physical issues affect the built fabric, they are following pages. tangible and often easily identifiable. They relate to land uses, ground floor activity, legibility, lighting and maintenance.
PHYSICAL ISSUES
Poor Quality of Offer Despite a number of independent retailers in the area, the type and quality of uses on offer in both ◀ Quality of Offer Williamson Square and the Cavern Quarter is Williamson Square narrow, in particular in areas dominated by bars in the Cavern Quarter. A lack of balance and variety of 38 uses leads to a sense of creeping homogenisation - everywhere becoming like everywhere else. There is also a potential conflict between day and night uses, particularly on Mathew Street which becomes a very different place from day to evening.
Active vs Inactive Streets The levels of activity within the streets change across different times of day and week, as well as ◀ Active vs Inactive Streets across different streets. Very lively and active streets are round the corner from streets with little life or Williamson Street activity, often edged by blank walls or unoccupied ground floors.
The lack of diversity of uses within the Cavern Quarter leads to it feeling empty during the weekdays and overwhelmed with people during the weekends. The Cavern Quarter is a small place that at peak times can already experience congestion, overcrowding and a clash between residents and tourists who want different things from their experience. ◀ Negative Edges Negative Edges M&S unit on Williamson Square Negative edges are units, building ground floors, blank walls and spaces which do not contribute positively to its public realm. Within the study area it mostly relates to empty ground floor units, large blank wall surfaces and infrastructure such as the Scottish Power sub-station on Mathew Street. Empty Upper Floors
Many of the upper floors within the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square are empty - this is underutilised and undervalued space within the city, spaces that could positively contribute to its success. The fact that they are empty reduces the ▶ Empty Upper Floors area's diversity and mix of uses, as well as what they contribute to the street - activity, footfall and natural Cavern Quarter surveillance.
Lack of Sense of Arrival Several factors drastically affect the ease and experience of visitors' arrival to the area: poor legibility, signage and wayfinding makes if difficult for people, especially tourists to find their way around the city from its main arrival points; parking is often haphazard, creating temporary barriers which block movement and obscure views, and finally, some poor quality buildings detract from the ▶ Lack of Sense of Arrival street scene or create a negative first impression Harrington Street This can be a big issue for people unfamiliar with Liverpool. For a destination such as the Cavern Quarter, visited by so many from outside of the city, 39 this is a serious issue.
Avoiding the Mundane and Enhancing Character Despite the surfacing of the area being of high quality, the overall impression of the public realm is often poor and messy. Issues of cleanliness and poor quality street lighting and furniture, with ▶ The Mundane signage often awkwardly placed, in all contribute Mathew Street to an overall sense of 'clutter'. This is exacerbated by gradual erosion of the built character, through poor maintenance, poor quality shop fronts and insensitive new developments. Maintenance and the general upkeep of the area, may be viewed as mundane and can be easily overlooked, but they contribute hugely to the sense of place and people's experience and appreciation of their surroundings.
Conflicting Uses
▶ Conflicting Uses This conflict might be about the threat of residential developments in an area more known for bars Cavern Walks and entertainment (Cavern Quarter), or new developments and change of use which are not complementary to existing uses. Issues of licensing and enforcing existing policies also come up in particular relation to bars that play music loud enough to disturb surrounding businesses, theatre performances or hotel guests. Finally, there are the conflicts between different users - shoppers, commuters, drinkers, tourists - who are each expecting very different experiences from the area. NON-PHYSICAL
Safety ◀ Safety Perception of safety is a very personal thing. Evening on Mathew Street There is quite a stark contrast between the day and night time dynamic and the negative experience some associate with the area, such as feeling 'bombarded' when they walk through the Cavern Quarter and unsafe when walking across Williamson Square towards the main transport hubs in the evening hours, with a few open bars determining the atmosphere of the whole square. Several of its surrounding streets are considered 'Dark', poorly lit and overlooked. A lack of natural surveillance and activity can make these areas feel unsafe, especially in the quieter parts of the day. ◀ Non-Place Williamson Square Non-Place The issue of 'Non-Place' particularly affects Williamson Square where people reported it felt empty, with no particular memories associated with it. It's seen as a place to walk through quickly on your way to somewhere else. 40 Under-Selling the Story Both the Cavern Quarter, Whitechapel and Williamson Square are brimming with heritage dating back to the beginnings of the city - this is ◀ Under-Selling the Story currently undervalued and overlooked. The loss of The Wall of Fame on identity and key music venues and retail units have Mathew Street contributed to this issue. The heritage experience is diluted by modern signage, low quality, badly placed artworks, poor quality shop fronts and cladding. The story of the Beatles is told and image conveyed to varying degrees of success and quality, with some of the current artworks being very literal, lacking innovation and are inappropriately placed.
A Sense of Unease
Similar to feeling 'unsafe', but much harder to define ◀ A Sense of Unease is a 'sense of unease'. Mathew Street There's a reoccurring sense in particular for the the Cavern Quarter that it is not inviting to a wider demographic and not fulfilling its potential as either a main tourist area or a place for the locals. This in turn leads to a recurring 'sense of unease' - tatty, ugly and uncared for. For many, sadly, its a place they avoid. 41
Strategic Vision and Policies 3.1 Vision
Cavern Quarter and Williamson physically and visually embedded Square will become local, into the city centre. A programme national and global destinations of public realm and connectivity overflowing with culture, music, improvements will give the area art and performance. They will a new lease of life, reveal the become key destinations within narrative of the place, and invite the city where people can learn people to re-discover it's unique and engage with the rich story of character. Liverpool's iconic past. The ultimate aim is to change Their diverse daytime and night- people's perceptions about time offer will support a wide- the area and attract those that range of activities and services otherwise might not go there. attracting locals and visitors, young and old. They will be safe and accessible destinations, 44 Cavern Quarter will become a Williamson Square will become vibrant and diverse place one Liverpool's civic and performative enters into, a creative and edgy space, a square for all. destination to be discovered The city's already key landmark and explored. It will continue to Playhouse Theatre will draw on its musical and cultural become the anchor of the heritage for its offer of shops, square, developing a close museums, cafés and restaurants, interdependent relationship with offices and services, mixing them the square, blurring the lines with modern and eclectic ones between 'civic' and 'art' through to create a vibrant and diverse a carefully curated programme daytime offer. A strong music inside the theatre and out on the strategy will cater to music square. performers and makers and become a hub of live music. The surrounding ground floors of Williamson Square, its outdoor 45 Whitechapel is the Pool of cafe seating and public informal Life and will be celebrated as seating will accommodate the the birthplace of the city. It Theatre, while encouraging will become an even stronger population of Williamson Square connector between Williamson as a key public area within the Square and the Cavern Quarter, city centre. as well as the transport hubs and the Main Retail Area, bringing the city together and enhance the shopping and tourist experience. 3.2 Objectives
1. WIDER CONNECTIVITY ◀ Wider connectivity There is a need to improve how people arrive at and move through the site area. Drawing people in and encouraging through movement can be improved by creating strong visual and physical linkages to and through the site area.
2. HIERARCHY OF STREETS & ◀ Hierarchy of streets and SPACES spaces There is an opportunity to improve the street character, through public realm improvements, lighting, better activation of streets, public art and programme of events. This would provide visually and physically stimulating attractions and be positively overlooked during the day and night by active frontages. 46
3. DIVERSIFYING THE OFFER ◀ Diversity of uses Across the site area a more diverse offer would enrich both the daytime and nightime activity, attract a wider range of people and make the site area more lively, interesting and economically competitive.
It would also have beneficial impacts on the health, social and cultural well-being of visitors to the area.
4. BUILT HERITAGE ◀ Built heritage Improving the quality of the built environment and enhancing the use, heritage and experiential impact of the historic buildings would add to the character and attractiveness of the whole site area, bringing more footfall and activity into the different areas. 5. DWELLING OPPORTUNITIES ▶ Dwelling opportunities The site area should offer a range of dwelling opportunities by increasing meeting points, activity, creating places to rest and spend longer time in and promote social interaction. In order for these to be attractive and active during the night, they should be supported by quality lighting, active routes and active ground floors.
6. ACTIVATING UPPER FLOORS ▶ Activating upper floors New businesses should be attracted to the area in order to strengthen and diversify the existing offer - occupying vacant upper floors offers great opportunities and should lead to improved building façades, lighting, activity and overlooking of the street.
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▶ Development 7. DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES opportunities There are several opportunities for new and redevelopment proposals particularly around Williamson Square. These relate closely to phasing and surrounding ongoing projects, and must contribute positively to the improvements to Williamson Square.
8. THEATRE, FOOTBALL, MUSIC, ▶ Culture HERITAGE & ART = CULTURE Across the site there are clear opportunities to enhance and exploit the rich cultural heritage of the area. More importantly, the area should continue to contribute to Liverpool's culture. There's also potential to contribute to the social and physical health of the city through the provision of successful civic spaces and institutions, as well as 'urban green up' opportunities. 3.3 Delivering the Vision - Area Strategic Policies
The primary aim of the following policies and visitors. The policies below are concerned with recommendations is to support the vision for the managing positive change in the area and building site area which is to create diverse, safe and vibrant on its key cultural and built heritage assets, including destinations at the Cavern Quarter, Whitechapel and its strong association with the Beatles, music and Williamson Square for a wider local, national and performance, for the benefit of the economy, locals international audience. and tourists. The policies in subsequent sections provide more specific detail. The policies in this section seek to manage the mix of uses within the area to encourage diversification and a welcoming high quality environment for all
KEY POLICIES
OVP1 – Cavern Quarter and Williamson OVP2 – Residential Development Square – Commercial Uses 1. The conversion of existing and underused 1. The Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square buildings and upper floors within the Williamson should be the focus for retail, culture, leisure Square and Whitechapel areas for residential and tourist uses which contributes to the City development (use classes C1 and C3) will be and City region economy, creating thriving supported where: 48 and attractive neighbourhoods for both locals and tourists alike. New development should a. It would not compromise the cultural or contribute to achieving vibrancy and diversity tourism facilities in the area; within the area through different periods of the b. Would not have a detrimental impact on day and into the evening. Specifically: existing businesses; and a. Within the Cavern Quarter proposals should c. Does not have a detrimental impact on demonstrate its contribution to enhancing the heritage of the area. daytime offer within the area. Appropriate uses include A1, A3, B1, C1, D1 and D2, subject to 2. Due to the current mix of uses within the amenity and character considerations; area, residential development (use class C3) is not considered appropriate within the b. Within Williamson Square proposals should pedestrianised zone of the Cavern Quarter. This add to the vibrancy of the square and have also applies to student accommodation. no detrimental impact on amenity, character and the operation of the Playhouse Theatre. 3. Proposals should consider the Agent of Appropriate uses include A1, A3, B1, C1, C3 and Change principle to ensure there is no adverse D1 and D2; and impact including on the character and amenity of the area and the operation of existing c. Proposals for A4, A5 uses and nightclubs will businesses when considering proposals for be resisted, unless it is clearly demonstrated that residential development. there will be no adverse cumulative impacts or an over-concentration of such uses.
2. The re-purposing and re-configuration of the Matalan building (see page 102-103) will be supported where suitable development is proposed which is of high quality design and sensitive to the existing character. Appropriate uses would include A1, A3, D1 and D2. KEY POLICIES
OVP3 – Agent of Change OVP4 – Key Development and Design Principles 1. All development proposals within the area should take account of the Agent of Change 1. Public realm improvements which enhance principle. Existing uses, specifically noise linkages and the attractiveness of the area will be generating uses, should be taken account supported. of in a sensitive manner when considering new proposals, particularly where residential 2. All development proposals should: 49 development is proposed nearby. a. Be sensitive to the areas location within a 2. Development proposals should mitigate and Conservation Area, the World Heritage Site or minimise noise. Good acoustic design is required Buffer Zone. and will be the responsibility of the individual or business proposing the development change. b. Be of a high quality contextual design which Full details should be provided with the planning reinforces the vibrancy and uniqueness of Cavern application. Quarter and Williamson Square while conserving and enhancing built and cultural heritage assets 3. Development should be designed to ensure to create an outstanding visitor experience and that established noise-generating venues remain environment; viable and can continue without unreasonable restrictions being placed on them. c. Fit in with the character, massing and urban grain of the existing built environment; 4. New noise-generating development such as music and entertainment venues and pubs, d. Be well located and connected to support proposed close to residential and other noise- access for all to other parts of the City Centre and sensitive development should put in place link to key tourist routes; measures such as soundproofing to mitigate e. Make provision for green infrastructure where and manage any noise impacts for neighbouring appropriate; and residents and businesses. f. Have a positive impact on the health and 5. The City Council will not support proposals wellbeing of workers, residents and visitors that have not demonstrated how adverse through well designed buildings and innovative impacts such as noise will be mitigated and design. managed. 3. Tall buildings will not be encouraged in any new development within the site area as they do not fit in with the immediate and wider setting of the urban grain of the area. 3.4 Diversifying the Daytime and Nightime Economy
It is imperative to broaden the offer, appeal and KEY RECOMMENDATIONS demographic representation in the site area. Active 1. Review and better define locations ground floors facilitate animation of public spaces of street retail units. during both day- and nightime. This in particular refers to retail units - by creating interesting and lively 2. Curate the look of units to give coherent shop windows and allowing for spill-out, friction is and consistent identity to the place. created and people have a reason to slow down or 3. Encourage wider range of uses, stay within the space. including an enhanced daytime offer The diversification of uses can help both the daytime within the Cavern Quarter. and night-time economies, supporting each other, 4. Manage night-time economy uses. even by overlapping opening hours. The evening offer could benefit by adding shopping, museums or 5. Use licensing laws and health strategies to assist exhibitions into the mix and thus potentially diluting in addressing excessive drinking and the anti- the effects of alcohol-related activities. Temporary social behaviours associated with it that stifles interventions, uses and events are a quick, relatively the Quarter's intrinsic qualities of inclusivity and easy and inexpensive way of bringing life to spaces creativity and shift the emphasis of the night time that might be neglected or difficult to engage in. economy for which the Cavern Quarter is known.
KEY POLICIES 50 DNT1 – Retail Within Williamson Square DNT3 – Active Frontages
Retail proposals within Williamson Square Ground floor development within the area which should: encourages active frontages and do not create • Have a positive impact on the Square’s any adverse impact to the existing area will public realm and contribute to the be supported. The City Council will encourage creation of a high quality environment; active frontages in areas where there is a need to re-activate spaces to improve the pedestrian • Contribute to the Square’s environment including the northern edge of vibrancy and mixed use offer; Williamson Square. • Contribute to improving connectivity and dwell time within the Square; and DNT4 – Nightime Economy • Not create any adverse impact on 1. All proposals for nightime economy uses the existing character of the area. should clearly demonstrate that there would be no adverse impact on the amenity and character The City Council will support the re-design of the area, and specifically: of active ground floor spaces on Williamson Square to support the finer urban grain of the a. Proposals that fall under use classes A3 surrounding area. New and altered frontages and D2 should demonstrate that the proposal should be of a high standard of design and make contributes to diversifying the offer in the area; a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Square. b. Proposals for A4, A5 and nightclubs should clearly demonstrate that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on existing amenities and DNT2 – Complementary Uses Within that it will not lead to an over-concentration of the Site Area such uses. Such proposals should demonstrate Development proposals for non-A1 uses should compliance with the Agent of Change principle; contribute to the creation of a vibrant area, with a diverse mix of uses. c. Proposals for A4, A5 uses and nightclubs will not be supported along Whitechapel, Lord Street Proposals for A4 and A5 uses will not be and on Williamson Square unless it is clearly supported within the Primary Retail Frontages on demonstrated that there will be no detrimental Lord Street and Whitechapel. Elsewhere in the impact on the amenity of those areas; and area it should be demonstrated that such uses will not have a negative cumulative impact on d. Within Williamson Square night-time economy the character and amenity of the area and would uses will be required to close by midnight in not lead to an over-concentration of such uses. order to protect amenity and character. ▶▶ Alternative activation of shopfronts
▶ The Ark, Temple Bar, Dublin
▶▶ Lively evening streetscene, London
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▶ A mix of daytime and nightime uses in Covent Garden, London 3.5 Music Strategy
The Cavern Quarter was at one time the place to PARTNERSHIPS discover new music in the city and had a global reputation for harbouring uncharted sounds. To The Cavern Quarter is not currently seen as a cool or move beyond the generic tourism offer, restore relevant destination for current and upcoming artists some of this magical quality and make the Quarter and bands from the city or the region. Partnering relevant to new, repeat and local audiences, music with cultural organisations to deliver change will must be put front and centre. A focus on music can improve visibility, credibility and relevance. transform the Cavern Quarter into a living cultural Working with the music community is critical to resource. There is the opportunity to promote the ensure authenticity, credibility and success. The role Quarter through high quality recording and digital of the Liverpool City Region Music Board, the Head dissemination of live performances in venues like the of UNESCO City of Music and the Beatles Legacy Cavern Club. Group as the link between the music community and Liverpool City Council will be of great importance. A MUSIC INDUSTRY CLUSTER This structure should be enabled and utilised as a The city has a powerful global image as a city of vital instrument to guide the development of the music, supported by the UNESCO City of Music image and music strategy for the Quarter. title, with the Cavern Quarter at the heart of this Partnering with music education providers, such reputation. More could be done to leverage this as BIMM, SAE or LIPA can be a method of delivering cultural cachet and expand the music industry in perception change and seeding a music industry the city in terms of production, education, tech and within the Quarter, which in turn fosters growth of a business. Mathew Street should once again become localised music industry network of businesses and a music street of chance encounters and discovery - organisations. the place to hear live, new and original music during 52 the day and at night. The historic buzz of being a melting pot of music should be restored as a place to be exposed to not only home-grown sounds, but also music from elsewhere, and to celebrate and explore the pop revolutions that derive from here.
With the prevalence of vacant upper floors, there is an opportunity to re-imagine the Cavern Quarter as a music industry hub, with a concentration of world- class studios and technicians within a geographically contained cluster, marketed globally as a top location for writing and recording music. This could be achieved by attracting music industry businesses cut across the whole supply-chain from recording studios to promoters and publishers, as well as second-stage growth businesses in the new ‘music tech’ space.
◀◀ High Quality Street Performance Everyday live music
◀ Tileyard Studios Music industry cluster in the Cavern Quarter KEY RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Establish a perception of the Cavern Quarter 5. Develop and promote an official music as a place for musicians to write, record and events programme in the Cavern Quarter. perform cutting edge music. Encourage and 6. Facilitate audience and youth development enable higher quality across all aspects of through free gigs, the return of matinees, the offer – from better sound and staging multi-age events and street performance. in the venues, through to professional promotion and production, to improvements 7. Live street entertainment will be supported in the scheduling and regulation of within the Cavern Quarter subject to performers buskers, artists and street performers. having the correct licence in place. 2. Develop a communications and branding 8. Performances in relation to the Playhouse strategy for the Cavern Quarter, promoting which complement the vibrancy of the it as a music business cluster in a similar culture offer within Williamson Square vein to Cheiron Studios in Stockholm will be supported subject to the correct and Denmark Street in London. permissions being in place and no negative impact on the amenity of the area with 3. Expand the music retail offer - whether that regarding to noise, litter and movement. is record shops, musical instruments or sheet music, tap into the kudos associated with buying music in 'The Cavern Quarter'. 4. Affordability and removing barriers to entry are key - Promote easy in, easy out lease deals with low or no rent for creative uses. 53
KEY POLICIES
MUS1 – Existing and Future Music 4. Opportunities for further music venues will be Venues supported and will be considered appropriate subject to compliance with the Agent of Change 1. Existing music venues which promote high principle; and impact on the character and quality and diverse music, such as the Cavern amenity of the area. Club, will be protected. Proposals for noise sensitive uses, such as residential development, MUS2 – Re-purposing of Existing Upper which may detract from the success and vibrancy Floor Stock of these venues will not be permitted unless they clearly demonstrate compliance with the 1. The City Council will support the re-purposing Agent of Change principle, including through of vacant upper floor premises within the area the inclusion of the highest level of noise/sound for use classes A1, B1 and D2 where they would insulation measures. enhance the vibrancy and diversity of the area and contribute to the area’s music and cultural 2. Proposals that would lead to the loss of a heritage. music venue will be resisted unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that there is no demand 2. Development which will create opportunities for the venue anymore. to play and record music, promote local arts and the cultural heritage through the reuse of vacant 3. The City Council may consider a change in spaces will be supported. Proposals should premises use where: be sensitive to any historic building fabric and ensure the existing character of the area will not • The proposal supports alternative cultural be adversely impacted. and leisure uses which would make a positive contribution to the range of cultural 3. Proposals which look to reuse existing facilities in the area or; upper floor spaces for offices that encourage creative and digital business growth will also be • The proposal includes re-provision and the supported as appropriate upper floor uses (B1 impact on the range of cultural facilities in the area. and D1 uses). 3.6 A Rich Programme of Performances and Events
Although the Cavern Quarter and Williamson KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Square are perceived as distinctly different places, both are strongly associated with the performing Cavern Quarter arts. Whilst we celebrate their differences, there 1. Enable both formal and informal cultural is an opportunity to provide an underlying happenings by developing the soft and hard cultural adhesive, bringing them together through infrastructure to facilitate this cultural life performing arts with initiatives such as an events - think about power supply (a grid of pop- programme spanning the site area. As such, the up power points), clutter and aesthetics. areas can offer complementary identities, with the Cavern Quarter focussed on music and Williamson 2. Enable and promote events around the Square focussed on theatre. music and theatre businesses, such as TED Talk-style industry knowledge sharing. The Cavern Quarter has the capacity and legacy of 3. Encourage the out-of-the-ordinary, hosting more intimate events - it's day-to-day offer such as the return of Jungfest or the should be live music and chance encounters. There performance of Illuminatus!. is also a tradition of more ephemeral 'happenings', performances and installations that are often 4. Make sure there is no negative impact unexpected, out-of-the-ordinary, even psychedelic, on the historic character of the area. absurd and surreal. Williamson Square As a high-capacity public space, Williamson Square 54 lends itself to larger gatherings and celebrations 5. Deliver a performance-focussed events aimed primarily at the people of Liverpool, which programme curated by a steering group. reflect and enhance the day-to-day life of the city. 6. Enable 'everyday' events that support public life, including markets. 7. Deliver a rolling programme of arts installations and public spectacles. 8. Augment Liverpool's civic life with events devised to educate, inspire and provoke debate and participation. 9. Upgrade Williamson Square with a grid of pop-up electric plug points to enable a flexible range of uses. 10. Bring performance out into Williamson Square to showcase the Playhouse and connect Williamson Square with other cultural institutions and arts organisations through the establishment of a Williamson Square Stakeholder Board. 11. Temporary market stalls on Williamson Square should be located in suitable locations which do not conflict with key pedestrian movement routes, and the potential to create a central performance space. If operating on specific market days/events then the layout should follow appropriate market layouts and still maintain ease of pedestrian movement and legibility through the square, along with maintaining access to the Playhouse Theatre for articulated lorries arriving from Basnett Street. KEY POLICIES
CUL1 – Cultural and Entertainment Uses 4. Proposals will be supported for facilities located within Williamson Square that make 1. Development proposals that enhance and use of the public space sensitively and promote culture, entertainment and public encourage activity through a range of events and engagement within the area through events and performances. performances will be supported. 5. Where the existing character and amenity has 2. Proposals that provide new cultural facilities been considered, the City Council will support and space for arts and performances, which proposals within Williamson Square which reflect and promote the cultural heritage of the enhance the vibrancy of the area both within the area will be encouraged. day- and nightime.
3. The City Council will support developments 6. Proposals should consider the Agent of that offer community facilities, which Change principle to ensure there is no adverse complement the area’s vibrancy and provide impact including the character and amenity of uses that support social interaction and promote the area and the operation of existing businesses, community performances and events. especially the Playhouse in relation to proposals within Williamson Square.
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▶ Manchester International Festival, Manchester Commemorating 200 years since the Peterloo Massacre
▶▶ Street Eat Food Festival Carnaby Street, London text 3.7 Heritage and Design
The site area is comprised of three distinct places KEY RECOMMENDATIONS - with a layered cultural and built heritage, which is CULTURAL HERITAGE often either hidden and untold or not celebrated to its full potential. They are valuable placemaking and tourism assets which must be managed carefully in 1. Showcase the heritage, legacy and stories order to fully reveal and celebrate them. of each of the three individual character areas through high quality, original and Additionally, as the site area is part of the World authentic design, events and storytelling. Heritage Site, there is also an opportunity to link this 2. Reveal the stories in alignment with the Events interpretation with the larger Liverpool narrative. and Arts strategies and in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Beatles Legacy CULTURE Group, the Playhouse Theatre and the BID. Cavern Quarter 3. Celebrate heritage in an original way through artist-led heritage interpretation. The legacy of the Beatles has left an indelible mark on the city and is a vital source of community 4. Recognise the contributions of the pride. Their story and image is a powerful icon multitude of other movements, scenes, of scouseness and is a strong draw to the city venues and individuals have made to the around the globe. Steps must be taken to ensure life and cultural legacy of Liverpool. their image and this valuable cultural asset is not 5. Develop and promote a formal eroded by banal tourism. This includes preventing heritage events programme. uses, activities, events and businesses that appear contrived or inauthentic and thus detracting from 6. Guide, protect and enhance the way 56 the unique value. Heritage interpretation must the Beatles story is told in the city. go beyond the 'blue plaque' - places and events should be celebrated and marked in imaginative and original ways. Working closely with the Beatles Legacy Group will ensure the Cavern Quarter fulfils it's role as a living cultural resource, that offers experiences that move, teach and inspire.
Whitechapel Sited on top of the original tidal pool, which formed the strategic and economic basis of the city, Whitechapel is the point from which modern Liverpool has grown and evolved. This fact is little known, but should be celebrated as the Pool of Life through events, information points and upgraded design of the public realm.
Williamson Square The Square has a long and proud history as a site of two theatres and their performances. Aligned with the Events and Arts strategies, which aim to bring the life of the Playhouse Theatre out into the public realm to animate it and encourage dwell and interaction through spectacle, there is an opportunity to explore the stories and legacy with a programme of creative heritage interpretation. The following recommendations set out guidelines KEY RECOMMENDATIONS - for the intervention or upgrading of the public realm DESIGN/PUBLIC REALM or buildings within the site area in order to achieve a robust pedestrian environment, linked together 2. High Quality & Beautiful through the use of street furniture, signage and materials to create a cohesive whole. They also Any intervention within the public realm and reinforce the NPPF and the Local Plan and develop building façades should be of high quality design. the view that authorities need joined up thinking This includes materiality, furniture, graphic design across different services. and detailing. A detailed design of contextually distinct furniture and signage should be developed. They should be used to inform the selection and Attention to detail, such as detailing on street design of buildings, street furniture, surfacing furniture which responds to its context, can materials, shop frontages or signage, whether it is contribute to a sense of identity and can help tell the a new project, maintenance or a replacement. This story of the place, adding an element of intrigue to should ensure continuity and homogeneity within the mundane. the site area, and reflect the character of each of the individual areas. The use of synthetics (pvc, plastic) materials is strongly discouraged. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS - BUILT HERITAGE 3. Robust and Low Maintenance
1. Heritage and Character Any new or upgraded street furniture should be of a robust, timeless design and built of high quality, Any new intervention or upgrade of buildings, durable materials and components. Any design and building façades and the public realm should reflect placement of new and upgraded street furniture 57 the distinctive character of the different parts of the should be able to support the high volume of people site area and emphasise the status and architectural that the site area accommodates. quality of key buildings and spaces. In the Cavern Quarter this relates to its multi-layered architectural 4. Less Clutter character of the existing buildings, with particular The removal of excess street furniture is encouraged reference to buildings which relate to the historic in order to facilitate pedestrian movement and fruit industry. Any new proposals must maintain accessibility, as well as a perception of tidiness. and enhance the intimate and enclosed character of This means removing unnecessary elements, the Cavern Quarter, and contribute to the industrial consolidating and grouping furniture and re-locating character. On Whitechapel the historic layout of elements. the original pool of Liverpool and on Williamson Square and the surrounding streets the cultural and 5. Inclusive and Comfortable performative influence of The Playhouse Theatre. Any street furniture and signage should be carefully All this with the aim of building on these places and consistently placed and managed and conform and destinations and an improved tourist offer and with inclusivity principles, including Liverpool's extending the attractions out into the public realm Street Charter 2017-2020. (including through digital tools). Lighting is seen as a key means of creating more secure and accessible spaces. Informal seating, shelter, features and landmarks should be used to encourage the population of these spaces.
6. Curated Art
Curating the environment and how it feels to the visitor is very important. Public art should relate to the character and heritage of the area - it needs to be innovative and imaginative, and draw visitors towards them. KEY POLICIES
HE1 – Conserving the Area’s Built ‘original pool of Liverpool’ will be welcomed, as Heritage will proposals that will support and enhance the performance culture around Williamson Square. 1. Development proposals should conserve and promote the area’s historic environment and enhance the sense of place created HE3 – Pre-Application Conservation by these assets through sensitive design and Heritage Advice and enhancement of key character areas Where proposals may impact the area’s music, identified on the plan on page 59. cultural and/or built heritage, early engagement 2. Particular attention will be paid to with LCC’s planning and conservation team buildings within the Cavern Quarter should be undertaken. If LCC’s planning that have a connection to the 19th and team consider the proposals relevant, further early 20th century fruit and produce communication with LCC’s UNESCO music industries, proposals that bring harm to officer and the Beatles Legacy Group should be these buildings will not be supported, undertaken to mitigate any unnecessary risk or proposal which preserve and are harm to the area’s cultural or built heritage. sympathetic to this history will be. HE3 – Shop Frontages and Signage 3. New developments should reflect the local character of the area, respecting: Appropriate development proposals should give careful consideration to the proposal’s frontage • Existing building height; in relation to the existing character of the area • Street pattern; and streetscape.
58 • Building lines and; Shop frontages should: • Materials. 1. Be of a high-quality design, using materials 4. There will be a presumption in favour of that reflect and enhance the local character the retention of any buildings or structure and do not harm the setting of the that makes a positive contribution to the building or neighbouring developments; character and appearance of the area. The 2. Use signage which does not adversely Council encourages the sympathetic reuse impact the area and does not over- of the existing historic building stock. dominate on or conflict with adjacent 5. Proposals should refer and align to properties or the public realm. Externally guidance set within the World Heritage illuminated lighting of the sign may be Site SPD where appropriate. considered where it has been designed sensitively and does not adversely impact 6. Proposals within the WHS and associated existing amenities and surroundings; Buffer Zone must make a positive impact to the Outstanding Universal Value of 3. Creatively consider the use of art or lighting the area and wherever possible should where implementing security measures actively retain and enhance the area’s into frontages. External roller shutters will historic and cultural significance. be resisted but may be considered if: 7. The Council encourages a high standard • Open link shutters are used which of design, appropriate to their setting incorporate suitable lighting to and context. Proposals should refer and enhance visual amenity; align to guidance set within the World • Incorporate art which enhances the area’s Heritage Site SPD where appropriate. public realm and is sensitive to the building and existing character of the area; HE2 – Conserving the Area’s Cultural 4. Solid roller shutters or other security Heritage measures that establish blank The cultural significance of the Cavern Quarter elevations will be refused. should be considered within new proposals, and in particular, the Cavern Club as the 5. Proposals should consider the Agent of ‘birthplace’ of The Beatles should be protected Change principle to ensure there is no and conserved as a venue for music and arts. adverse impact when considering shop Proposals which promote and complement frontages. Frontages that create adverse the cultural importance of Whitechapel as the noise spillages and a greater dominating impact of the streetscape will be resisted. Dawson Street Stanley Street Temple Court Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens
North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square
Whitechapel Houghton Street
Williamson Street Tarleton Street Button Street
Harrington Street
Basnett Street
Lord Street 59
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KEY Cavern Quarter Character Area
'Playhouse Square' Character Area
'The Pool of Life' Character Area
▲ Character Areas
▶ Positive example of cultural and built heritage interpretation within the site area
▶▶ Sensitive and original public realm and shutter treatment on Eberle Street, Liverpool 3.8 A Place-Specific Arts Strategy
Liverpool already has a rich legacy of public art, KEY RECOMMENDATIONS however, the quality is varied, delivery fragmented 1. All artworks should be location specific, context and long-term commitment to public art is not sensitive and respond and contribute to a 'spirit guaranteed. The way to get the most striking and of place'. Celebrate heritage in an original and ambitious artworks that connect with audiences and experimental way fitting of an artist-rooted generate lasting impressions is through strategic quarter, which goes beyond the 'obvious'. overview, a robust and clear procurement process and curation vision. 2. Curation is key - a strategic overview of what is commissioned, the procurement This SRF proposes an Arts Strategy to achieve the process and arts programming is required. following objectives: Public art competitions will be supported. • Connection - Diverse artists and 3. Partner with cultural organisations when audiences are able to engage and delivering projects to ensure quality, connect with each other through art integrity and authenticity; improve • Funding - Artists are supported visibility, credibility and relevance of the to test, develop and realise ideas area amongst the creative community. through diverse funding streams 4. Use art to help deal with blank walls and • Heritage - Artists are able to explore, interpret inactive streets (see page 61). Exploration of and reinterpret the study area's rich heritage the neglected streets which suffer from low in ambitious and imaginative ways footfall and a poor pedestrian experience should be encouraged through the use of • Music - Artists are able to collaborate art - this could be conceptualised as an with musicians to deliver visual and arts trail through an al fresco gallery. 60 multi-sensory experiences 5. Prioritise interventions which facilitate • Place - Curate landmarks, spectacles and year-round activation and promote both installations to entice people into the temporary and permanent interventions area and become icons for the city with a rolling project programme. • Remember - The influences of 6. Ensure the Arts Strategy is closely linked to popular and radical culture the Music and Performance Strategies - these should be complementary strands of presenting • Advance - Ensure the culture of experimentation the fundamental character of the site area. and expression goes beyond the past, reaches new heights and kindles new legacies. 7. Establish a public realm fellowships program that supports artists to explore and realise ideas. THE ARTS CONTEXT 8. Recognise and respond to the contributions Several artefacts can be found throughout the that other movements, scenes, venues Cavern Quarter that memorialise culturally and individuals have made to the life significant ideas, events and locations. These and cultural legacy of Liverpool. monuments to the area's creativity contribute 9. Art and cultural events will be supported enormously to the sense of place and are a vital on Williamson Square subject to licensing, cultural resource that must not be eroded or lost. noise and safety issues being addressed. Additionally it contributes to the innate sense of mystery and serves to magnify the significance and mythology of the site.
Creative methods of curating public art should be encouraged, based not on traditional interpretations, but on new and emerging approaches that reflect a non-conformist stance on creativity.
This is closely tied to the tourism strategy - it contributes greatly to the image of the area and forms part of it’s ‘brand’ as a place of mystery and discovery. Dawston Street
Stanley Street Temple Court Victoria Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens
North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square
Whitechapel Houghton Street
Williamson Street Tarleton Street Button Street
Harrington Street
Basnett Street
Lord Street 61 61
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KEY POLICIES KEY Music Focused Art ART1 – Art and Culture 2. Public art will be encouraged on sites Interventions identified in the plan above, as a means Proposals which enhance the area’s cultural, art Pool of Live of reinvigorating and reconnecting the and music attractions and encourage further area in addition to attracting people to 'Playhouse Square' Art visitor activity and public interaction within come visit and enjoy the proposal. Interventions spaces will be supported. Proposals which Activating Blank Walls contribute to interpreting the area's cultural 3. Public art proposals should be innovative with Public Art heritage will be encouraged. and imaginative, be relevant to the local area, reflect its character and contribute to: Temporary art and cultural uses will be supported within existing upper stock or • The footfall of the area through ▲ Arts vacant units around Williamson Square which high quality, unique artwork which reanimate and add activity to the street scene. will offer unique experiences; • Upgrading the area’s gateway markers ART2 – Public Art and enhance its nodal points; 1. Development proposals should consider • Re-activating ‘dead spaces’ and redesigning the opportunity to integrate artist’s ideas the ‘dark streets’ to the south; and visions into the design process and should take opportunities to incorporate • Improving the environmental public art within the public realm quality of the area; where relevant and appropriate. • The area's musical, cultural and built heritage. 3.9 Greening Strategy
Following the recent appointment of the City's first URBAN GREENUP AND TEMPORARY Climate Change Champion and the city reaching INTERVENTIONS net zero carbon by 2030, green infrastructure plays a key part in that ambition. It also improves health The Urban Green Up initiative has identified a and wellbeing and increases an area’s vibrancy number of opportunities for greening within and just and it should be central to any regeneration where outside the site area. A few temporary interventions appropriate. have already been implemented such as the Moving Forest and most recently the Forest Bathing Pod on However, opportunities for planting within the Williamson Square. They have also identified the St site area are limited due to the narrow streets John's Shopping Centre facade adjoining the site and character of the Cavern Quarter, the over- area as a building façade suitable for green wall and underground service requirements and the retrofitting, and a green roof retrofit for the Royal performance-based strategy for Williamson Square. Court Theatre. Urban GreenUp initiatives within the site and wider area are supported by this SRF. There are opportunities though for a number of anchor trees within the site area, as well as trees KEY RECOMMENDATIONS and planting along Whitechapel in order to enhance its pedestrian experience. Even more opportunities 1. Introduce anchor trees on key locations to open up on the 'dark streets' - Basnett, Tarleton improve the urban environment and orientation. and Williamson Streets, as trees and improved 2. Introduce tree planting along key movement street furniture can be a tool to activate them and corridors including Whitechapel. extend their dwelling capacity. Planting should be accommodated though without impacting 3. Introduce street trees along Basnett, pedestrian flow. Tarleton and Williamson Streets. 62 4. Green walls and green roofs either retrofitted or on my builds are strongly encouraged.
KEY POLICIES
GRE1 – Green Infrastructure GRE2 – Public Realm Improvements New development proposals should include The City will support proposals that improve the green infrastructure where appropriate, such as area’s public realm through: green walls/roofs, street trees and landscaping • Retaining the open character using native species. Locations which will of Williamson Square; support green infrastructure have been identified on the plan on page 63. • Contributing to the enhancement of the environmental quality of the area; Greenery should be viewed as an essential part of infrastructure. Planting must be sustainable • Contributing to the enhancement of legibility and species carefully selected to ensure they and ease of movement for all users; fit local context and character. Where space is • Reflecting specific characteristics limited, innovative methods should be explored of the area; and such as green roofs and walls and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This is • Making a positive contribution especially relevant in the tight urban grain of to health and wellbeing. Mathew Street and the surrounding Cavern Quarter streets, as well as the ‘dark streets’ south New street furniture should only be implemented of Williamson Square. where it responds to its context and contributes to a sense of identity and the area’s built and Proposals within the Urban GreenUp project area cultural heritage. should contribute to the project's objectives and undertake early engagement on the proposals Any new or upgraded street furniture should be with the project coordinator. of a robust, high quality design using durable materials and components. The use of synthetic material (i.e pvc or plastic) will be strongly discouraged. Dawston Street Stanley Street Temple Court Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens
Whitechapel
Rainford Square North John Street Mathew Street Houghton Street
Button Street
Williamson Street Harrington Street
Tarleton Street
Basnett Street
Lord Street 63
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KEY Upgrading of existing trees on Williamson Sq ▶ Green facade on Marks Potential for new tree and Spencer in Newcastle planting on Williamson Sq
Potential future 'greening' of the Playhouse Theatre
Public realm improvements including larger specimen trees
Potential 'greening' of perimeter of Cavern Quarter
Potential location for green wall
Potential location for anchor trees
▲ Greening
▶▶ Forest Bathing Pod on Williamson Square, June 2019 Temporary intervention by Urban GreenUp 3.10 Regenerating With Light
Recommendations for a lighting strategy have been An integrated lighting system within the site area has developed in response to site-specific issues and the opportunity to provide a curated programme of opportunities and build upon previous research, seasonal lighting to tie in with celebrations, festivals including the Philips Lighting Vision from 2016. and significant dates. It should have a consistent and joined-up approach, rather than piecemeal Lighting in this area should be one of the tools interventions, so as to curate coherent atmospheres to giving an overall sense of safety, vibrancy and across the site area, but also be individually intrigue. It can also: programmable and controlled remotely through • Extend the use and activity of spaces by digital control systems. making them inviting, playful and intriguing LIGHTING CHARACTERS • Curate moods and atmospheres In the Cavern Quarter gateway spaces should be • Communicate the story of the place marked with unique lighting interventions that work • Promote key cultural institutions and events with the gateway markers to signify the Quarter's in the area, particularly theatre or music out-of-the-ordinary character.
• Respond to global and local events in real time. There is an opportunity to accentuate the linearity of Whitechapel as a connecting route through the Providing an engaging and interactive public realm Main Retail Area through a bespoke lighting solution. through location-specific use of dynamic lighting Additionally, its heritage as the original Pool of systems means: Liverpool can be explored through interactive light • Accentuating architecturally or culturally installations, in line with the Heritage and Arts interesting and significant buildings strategies. 64 • Brightening landmarks and points Finally, lighting can play a prominent role in bringing of congregation within spaces the life of the Playhouse Theatre out into Williamson Square. Façades along the northern and southern • Marking gateways and nodes and thus edges of the Square could make suitable backdrops attracting people into spaces for dynamic lighting system interventions. Playful • Lighting up lanes and alleyways, and creative design of lighting can contribute to thus encouraging their use bringing vibrancy back to the Square after dark. • Non-standard infrastructure can also include animated visualisations, video mapping, audiovisual performances and interactive lighting installations.
KEY POLICIES
LIG1 – Feature Lighting Lighting improvements identified on page 66, which look to animate and enhance key focal areas to promote the public realm attraction will be supported by the City Council. Lighting should not negatively impact on the existing residential or night time uses and should be sensitively designed to protect amenity. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The delivery of any lighting strategy Williamson Square should be designer and artist-led to 1. Lighting can play a prominent role in bringing uphold the unique identity and attribute the life of the theatre out into the square. of being an artist-rooted area. Façades along the northern and southern 2. Engineers and designers should be edges of the square could make suitable included from the beginning of the backdrops for dynamic lighting system process at the planning stage. interventions. The Playhouse Theatre facade should be accentuated as an architectural 3. Lighting infrastructure should be and cultural focal point of the square. robust and maintenance should be factored into consideration of long-term 2. Radio City Tower presents a great opportunity sustainability of lighting solutions. for spectacle lighting as a beacon. 3. The square must be sufficiently lit to Cavern Quarter make it feel safe after dark and this 1. The current catenery lighting suspended should be consistent across the space between buildings in the Cavern Quarter is in to remove dark spaces at the centre. a poor state of repair and detracts from the 4. The inner square is a suitable location aesthetic of the place, due to maintenance issues for lighting installations and spectacles and resultant damage. This should be replaced that tie into the performance strategy. with a robust and low-maintenance solution. 5. There is an opportunity through playful 2. The spaces that currently lack sufficient lighting, and creative design to make lighting including Dorans Lane, Harrington Square, infrastructure points of congregation and 65 and Rainford Gardens, should be included in destinations in their own right, and to bring a quarter-wide lighting strategy to encourage vibrancy back to the square after dark. safe use of these spaces after dark. There is an opportunity to make these spaces inviting, 6. The Square Edge should create a comfortable playful and intriguing. Large inactive surfaces ambience to invite dwell within spill-out areas. present an opportunity for creative installations 3. The vibrant nature of the street life in this area 'Dark Streets' (Williamson St, Tarleton St, after dark necessitates a lighting response that Basnett St) and Connections to Williamson creates an intimate and calming ambience. Square 4. Gateway spaces should be marked with 1. The key role here is to make these vital unique lighting interventions that work connecting routes feel safe and vibrant well into with the gateway markers to signify the the night. Structural assessments have suggested Quarter's out-of-the-ordinary character catenery lighting is not viable on the 'dark streets' as a tension system between buildings 5. Internal spaces should be lit in - an alternative solution should be sought. a way to draw people in 2. Gateways and nodes should attract people 6. Key cultural and architectural buildings can be into the spaces, and give a feeling of safety. highlighted to tell a richer story of the place. They also, along with large inactive surfaces, present an opportunity for creative installations to animate pedestrian journeys after dark.
Whitechapel 1. There is an opportunity to explore the rich social and cultural heritage of this street through interactive light installations, in line with the Heritage and Arts strategies. Dawston Street Stanley Street Victoria Street Temple Court
Richmond Street
Rainford Gardens
North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square
Whitechapel Houghton Street
Williamson Street
Button Street Tarleton Street
Harrington Street
Basnett Street
Lord Street 66
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▲ Lighting KEY Integrated Lighting System for Cavern Quarter
Williamson Square
Bespoke Lighting on Whitechapel
Dynamic Lighting System on Façade
High Quality Façade Lighting and Neon Building Signage
Upgraded Lighting on Streets, Lanes and Alleyways
Bespoke Lighting for the 'dark streets'
Bespoke Lighting for The Stage
Opportunity for Revolving Lighting Installations
Gateway Lighting
Opportunity for Linear Lighting Installations
Opportunity for Temporary Lighting Installations 3.11 Maintenance
Throughout the site and in particular in the Cavern There should be a shift in thinking to reframe waste Quarter a lack of adequate waste management as a resource to be exploited, rather than a burden. infrastructure has contributed to a frequently shabby The fundamental objective of keeping materials appearance and a perception of neglect - particularly within the resource cycle as long as possible should due to a lack of bins and cigarette disposal units. The be promoted through re-use wherever possible, area requires a waste management strategy that can recycling materials and reducing landfill waste to a stand up to the demands of the volume of users in minimum. this densely used space SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT RESOURCE CONSCIOUSNESS Lighting, facilities, installations and structures must The wider impact of nightlife on waste management be robust and able to stand up to the demands of and resource consumption should be considered the volume of users. The maintenance strategy must in this area. The late night takeaway and hot food be considered well in advance of procurement and establishments in surrounding streets generate high installation. volumes of waste as part of the night time economy, and waste management facilities often struggle to process such demand in this area.
As a tourism hot-spot experiencing abnormal demands on waste infrastructure, there is an opportunity to tackle the issue head on with innovative thinking and set the bar for wider city waste management. 67
KEY POLICIES
MAI1 – Waste Management MAI2 – Maintenance of Temporary Installations All proposals will need to ensure adequate waste storage and management is identified as part of The City Council will support temporary the development to ensure that there isn’t any installations within the area that encourage negative impact on the surrounding amenities in public interaction and help enhance the vibrancy terms of littering and odour. of the area. Temporary installations could include public art exhibitions, interactive display To reduce the visual impact, storage of waste boards and pop up stalls. Installations should should not be located in areas of public access not have any detrimental impacts on the existing and should be located where it would not have a area and be located in spaces which encourage detrimental impact on the surrounding area. public interaction whilst not adding to street clutter.
Where installation proposals are for more than 28 days, a maintenance plan will need to be agreed with the City Council to agree on how the installation is managed to ensure that the attractiveness of the installation and its siting within the area is sustained. 3.12 Accessible Destinations
Good wayfinding is key to the experiential quality KEY RECOMMENDATIONS of spaces for pedestrians. The area must be legible 1. Develop a joined-up City Centre-wide and easy to navigate for users of diverse needs. wayfinding strategy to ensure coherence of Liverpool's city centre has a wide appeal and navigational cues. Consider how people flow the wayfinding system must go beyond meeting through the space and how this relates to their minimum standards or legislative requirements in incoming and onward journey experiences. order to facilitate dignified, equal and intuitive use by everyone. 2. Wayfinding should be legible round the clock and interventions should be designed Many visitors will also be exploring what the city has in alignment with the lighting strategy. to offer - wayfinding should encourage and enable ‘wandering’ without getting lost. This should be 3. Signage and other wayfinding systems need achieved by utilising an array of wayfinding devices, to incorporate visual, tactile and audible ranging from fundamental navigational tools such elements, so that they cater for all users. as mapping and finger posts, to relying on landmark 4. Improve drop off and coach parking buildings, lighting and trees for orientation. facilities along North John Street to enable better and safer access for tourists and While an overarching wayfinding system should tour guides to the Cavern Quarter. be consistent across the City Centre, there is room to deliver site-specific interventions that respond to each of the destinations' characters. This offers possibilities to incorporate local narrative, dialect, stories and history into the furniture. Landmark buildings and unusual artefacts or townscape details 68 act as navigational aides and could be highlighted to help define the character of the area.
KEY POLICIES
DEN1 – Connectivity The City Council will support proposals which enhance the connection between Williamson Through its layout and form, all new Square and the Queen Square Bus Terminal. development proposals within the area should: • Seek to define public realm within the area; The suitable relocation or complete removal of the taxi stand will be supported where clear • Establish connections to the evidence is provided to show this would not surrounding area; harm the movement of taxis around the City Centre. • Seek to repair local grain wherever possible; • Contribute to enhancing connectivity Improvements to coach parking and drop off and promote physical activity along North John Street will also be supported. and sustainable transport Connectivity should be carefully designed to The City Council will support proposals for the encourage interaction and community cohesion redevelopment of the current Matalan site which and prioritise pedestrians over vehicles. are in line with CQWSX – Appropriate Uses in the Proposals will be supported which improve the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square and the pedestrian connectivity into the site and help proposal contributes to enhancing connectivity link the area to Lime Street and William Brown and the public realm, and delivers uses that will Street. create a vibrant and well used civic space. Dawston Street Stanley Street Temple Court
Victoria Street
Roe Street
Richmond Street
Whitechapel
Rainford Gardens
North John Street Mathew Street Rainford Square Houghton Street
Williamson Street Tarleton Street Button Street
Harrington Street
Basnett Street
Lord Street 69
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KEY POLICIES KEY DEN2 – Inclusive Design The City Council’s “Design for Access for All”, Destination Building Local Plan Policy and the use of BS8300 should Inclusive design principles should be considered Williamson Square all be considered within development proposals in all public realm schemes and should minimise where relevant. Where appropriate, Liverpool Whitechapel Public physical barriers and visual clutter to allow space Realm Improvements City Council’s Corporate Access Forum should for all users to move through the area safely. be consulted with as early as possible when Gateway nodes it comes to new development and proposals Main Wayfinding Points Proposals within the area should: which look to seek changes to the public realm. Secondary Wayfinding • Reflect the overall movement Points hierarchy of the area; DEN3 – Pedestrian Priority Opportunity to • Allow for the safe movement of To improve accessibility and ensure sustainable improve drop off and provide coach parking all users of the area; and transport is prioritised, the City Council will on North John Street support the enhancement of pedestrian and • Consider strong inclusive design principles, cyclist provision throughout the Cavern Quarter including minimising street clutter. ▲ Wayfinding and Williamson Square as identified on the Improvements to public realm should be plan on p81. Routes which connect to key carefully designed to encourage interaction and strategic locations within the City (such as St community cohesion, prioritising pedestrians George’s Quarter and Lime Street Station) will be over vehicles. Any redesign of public spaces encouraged in order to promote active travel as a should be tailored to the specific proposed site viable option in the area. and increase animation and aid legibility and easy of movement. 3.13 Perfecting the Tourist Offer
The Cavern Quarter is already an important attractor 3. Make Happy Those Who Are Near, and Those for Liverpool and a key asset in the city’s offer to Who Are Far Will Come - The Cavern Quarter domestic and international tourists. For their place in and Williamson Square must appeal and offer the Beatles story, the Cavern Club and Mathew Street something to Liverpudlians to ensure long- have global name recognition and are – for some term viability in a shifting tourism market. – a pilgrimage site comparable to Graceland, Beale 4. Recognition of the value of The Beatles as a Street, Bourbon Street or Abbey Road. global brand and Beatles heritage as a point of With such a powerful and lasting presence in the distinction and significant tourist attractor. popular imagination of music fans worldwide there 5. Refine the Offer - Ensure that a deeper, richer, are diminishing returns from simply trying to attract and more nuanced reading of The Beatles' more tourists. Most important, care must be taken to history, impact and legacy is conveyed. ensure that the perceived authenticity of the place Explore the other rich histories and pop is not overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tick-the- culture revolutions that emanated from box tourists on a Beatles trail. this area and make them the heart of the tourism and communications strategy. This will be achieved, first, by meeting the expectations of tourists that are increasingly looking 6. Connect and Triangulate - Once you've captured for ‘real’ or authentic experiences; and, second, by the audience, connect on to other parts of the exceeding those expectations with an offer that city with physical and digital guides - Come goes beyond the limited understanding of Mathew for the Cavern, leave having seen a gig in the Street as the ‘birthplace of The Beatles’. By making it Baltic. Create reasons for more people to make once again a vital destination for new and aspiring more meaningful visits to Liverpool – spending musicians, the Cavern Quarter will cement its place more, staying longer and returning often. in the imagination and affection of music lovers. 70 7. Ensure that the practicalities of the tourist industry are met and provide; safe and KEY RECOMMENDATIONS practical coach parking, easily accessible 1. Dwell and Discovery - Make people want to tourist information points within the site explore the site area through a more diverse area, ensure tour guides can conduct offer, particularly through curating of upper tours safely and successfully. floors, street performances and 'happenings', immersive experiences and festival tourism. 2. Focus on the Authentic Experiences - This includes live music and performance with an element of surprise and discovery.
KEY POLICIES
TOU1 – Promoting Cultural Tourism • Enhance the quality and mix of attractions within the Cavern Quarter related to The City Council will support proposals which the City’s music, culture and heritage to encourage visitors to come and use the area’s promote a multi-offer experience to visitors, facilities in both the day and night time. encouraging further dwell time and unique Development which enhance the visitor’s experiences only associated with this area; experience safety, awareness of the local character and culture and overall enjoyment of • Provide ancillary commercial uses the area will be supported. Where appropriate, that encourage activity throughout proposals should look to: the day and into the evening.
• Improve areas of associated public realm, Development which could adversely impact allowing visitors to relax and enjoy spaces the tourism offer of the area and dilute its throughout the day. Enhancements uniqueness and cultural history will not be should be carefully considered to supported. prevent street clutter and congestion and reanimate underused spaces. 3.14 Digital Interaction
Increasingly, we not only experience cities physically, • Place-based augmented reality but also digitally. The smartphone has put wireless, • Location triggered musical experiences screen-based technology in our pockets - 85% of UK or cultural information, and citizens own one, with that number increasing to 95% amongst 16-24 year olds. • Bespoke location-specific games.
The digital realm is often the first point of contact EXPERIENCE LIVERPOOL LIKE A for visitors, even from many miles away, and this space is important in forming early impressions LOCAL and shaping perceptions of a city. When arriving Tourists and visitors are increasingly demanding at their destination, visitors then use smartphone 'authentic' experiences and don't like to stick to the maps as a guide through the city, searching for guidebook. Bespoke digital guidebooks written by nearby attractions and events and finally as a means locals, such as Use-It maps, can greatly enhance of getting back home, either by checking public visitor experiences and are connected to a network transport timetables or ordering a taxi. of digital platforms including linked web-pages, ticketing sites and social media. Any such offer in DIGITAL INTERACTION Liverpool must be developed by, or in partnership with, representatives of the music, creative and arts In a global drive towards improving the livability scenes. It is also an opportunity to connect people of our cities and competing to deliver world-class with other parts of the city and the region, and to visitor experiences, the need for coherent and robust triangulate digital platforms to maximise benefits digital infrastructure is crucial. The creative use of to the visitor economy, enhance enjoyment of the digital technologies also lends an opportunity to city and generate multi-layered opportunities for augment and enhance the experience of public discovery. spaces with location-specific digital experiences, 71 services and products, with the ability to tell a richer story of the place, reveal hidden insights and KEY RECOMMENDATIONS generate opportunities for engagement, exploration 1. History and culture trails with and connection to place. interactive heritage interpretation.
Such 'digital placemaking' can be a low cost, high 2. Digital guidebook curated by locals. impact way of shifting people’s experience of the 3. Centralised music and events public realm and can include: listings website and app. • Interactive digital installations 4. Digital public artworks in public spaces. • Heritage trails and discovery of place- 5. Audiovisual events and installations to based heritage interpretation partner with and invite creative, digital • Geo-located push recommendations and tech industries into the site area. for attractions, venues or events • Geo-located promotions and offers
KEY POLICIES
DIG1 – Digital Interaction within the space. Where possible, all infrastructure should Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square be hidden from sight or in keeping with the character of the local area. Proposals which involve digital interaction through the use of smart technology will DIG3 – Locations for Digital Interaction be encouraged by the City Council where it enhances the offer of informing the user of the Locations for digital infrastructure should be area’s relevant history. considered carefully and relate to key nodes and public open spaces as identified on p81 and DIG2 – Infrastructure for Digital should not add to street clutter and or negatively Interaction impact on the urban grain of this area. The City Council will support Smart technology that can The infrastructure to support this technology be incorporated in existing buildings, public should be carefully and sensitively designed so realm and street furniture. not to negatively hinder the way people use the
Development Framework Plan - Project Stages 4.1 Understanding the Dynamic Context
The opportunities for the area are huge. To achieve and deliver all that is possible takes time, money and commitment.
Not all the proposals and recommendations can be B. Demolition OF Churchill Way flyovers delivered at once - a project of this scale and scope requires a phased approach. The following sections It has recently been identified that these flyovers are set out a potential sequence of phases, or stages, of to be demolished. This will have a significant impact the implementation of the SRF. on the street arrangement and movement patterns north of the site. It is important to understand the 'dynamic' nature of the site and how important it is to understand the C. Change of use planning applications activities within and around the site to ensure that A change of use planning application has been any new proposals respond to them. submitted to Liverpool City Council to deliver a Early quick wins are then identified, which include hotel and casino in the former George Henry Lee the projects that are easy to deliver, but are likely to building. This will have an impact on the character be impactful and trigger positive changes. of Williamson Square and important consideration must be given to the relationship with the Playhouse. The final two stages set out a sequence of larger scale projects which relate to public Another change of use planning application has realm improvements, events and development been submitted to Liverpool City Council for the opportunities within the site area. redevelopment of the Cavern Walks shopping centre into a hotel. This will have an impact on the 74 THE SITE TODAY - surrounding streets and wider area. UNDERSTANDING THE 'DYNAMIC' D. Upgrade of existing institutions CONTEXT The Royal Court, the Metquarter and the Playhouse This SRF has been developed in a live and dynamic have been evolving their offer and brand with the context of an ever changing site. A number of aim of attracting a wider audience. developments are happening in Liverpool City Centre, including some in close vicinity to the site The Playhouse is currently developing a 2030 Vision, area. These are likely to impact upon both the site which encapsulates the greening of the Playhouse and the proposals this SRF sets out. They include: and it's complete refurbishment including a large glass fronted cafe/restaurant spilling out onto A. City Centre Connectivity Schemes Williamson Square. The SRF supports this vision. Victoria Street connectivity scheme has been on site since January 2019. This is intended to improve pedestrian and cycle movement along this street and will reduce the width of the road carriageway.
Lime Street connectivity scheme has been through public consultation and is likely to be the next connectivity scheme close to the site which will come forward.
The creation of a new bus hub on Haymarket was approved in February 2019. B William Brown Street
A
St George's Hall
St John's Lane Sir Thomas Street Dale Street
Lime Street A
Stanley Street A Royal Victoria Street Hood Street Court D Roe Street
Metquarter Dawson Street D The Stanley Street St John's Playhouse Richmond Street Market 75 D Mathew Street North John Street 75 C Houghton Street Whitechapel C Lime Street CAVERN Elliot Street WALKS Williamson Street HOTEL & Harrington Street CASINO
Tarleton Street
Basnett Street Lord Street Church Street Parker Street
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KEY Public realm improvements (LCC Connectivity schemes) - Design/consultation stage
Public realm improvements (LCC Connectivity schemes) - On site
Demolition of Churchill Way flyovers - On site
Change of use subject to planning application
▲ Plan of existing 'dynamic' context 4.2 Stage 1 - Quick Wins
There are a number of low-cost interventions Liverpool City Council can implement early on, which can have a positive impact on changing the direction of the area. These include:
A. The Playhouse's presence on Williamson D. Gateways to the Cavern Quarter are Square upgraded There is an opportunity now, without any physical The gateways in the Cavern Quarter are special. They interventions for the Playhouse Theatre to break out mark the transition from the surrounding city centre of their building and begin to occupy Williamson into this weird and wonderful part of the city. These Square. gateways should be kept set back, mark a threshold, be playful and unusual. Robust designs which relate A space at the heart of the square could be to the cultural associations of the area are favoured. demarcated as an outdoor stage. This could be quite simply done at first, with markings on the ground E. Nodes within the Cavern Quarter are and street furniture arrangements. activated A programme of events should be coordinated to The 'nodes' are key junctions within the Cavern establish that presence and promote the visibility Quarter, 'moments' where people can orientate of the theatre as an anchor and key curator of themselves, gather and linger. These spaces should Williamson Square. be well lit, vibrant and designed to allow both gathering and maintain ease of movement. They can The Playhouse Theatre and Liverpool City Council also offer opportunities for public art and events. 76 should explore possibilities for the theatre to create a more open frontage, including the potential to F. Lighting up the 'Dark Streets' re-open a historic kiosk window for box office and coffee function. Better and imaginative lighting of the streets which connect Williamson Square to Church Street will help Other temporary uses should also be considered integrate the site with the main shopping areas of linking to other initiatives, such as Urban GreenUp, or the city and improve people's perception of safety. linking up with the Biennial for public art proposals.
B. Vacant Marks and Spencer facade is activated Due to restrictions and challenges of the building, in the short term, activating the facade of the building through a public art strategy would improve its relationship with the square.
C. Improvements to pedestrian movement along Whitechapel Improving the pedestrian experience along Whitechapel on the approach to the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square will have significant impact on the quality of people's experience of arriving into these areas.
The first phase of this could involve a simple 'rebalance' of the pedestrian right of way as it meets vehicle movements which cut across to access car parks, the bus station and servicing routes. 4.2 Stage 1 - Quick Wins
William Brown Street
St George's
St John's Lane Hall Dale Street Sir Thomas Street
Lime Street
Stanley Street
Victoria Street C Hood Street Royal
Roe Street Court
Dawson Street StanleyMetquarter Street St John's Richmond Street The Market A Mathew Street Playhouse North John Street D 77 E Whitechapel B Houghton Street Lime Street Elliot Street
Williamson Street Harrington Street F
Tarleton Street Basnett Street Lord Street Church Street Parker Street
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▲ Plan of Stage 1 KEY interventions Public realm improvements (LCC Connectivity schemes)
Temporary 'stage' intervention on Williamson Square
Activated frontages
Improvements to pedestrian movement along Whitechapel
Upgraded gateways in to the Cavern Quarter
Activated nodes in the Cavern Quarter
Improved lighting on 'dark streets' 4.3 Stage 2 - Bigger Picture Thinking
The next phase of connectivity schemes should include Whitechapel and Roe Street - the missing pieces which fill in the gaps between the already proposed and upcoming schemes.
A. Re-design of Williamson Square It will also include the addition of street trees, lighting and cycle provision. Once the Playhouse has established a presence within Williamson Square, and in order to support Further design guidance for A and B is set out within the Playhouse Theatre in their long-term vision, there this SRF on pages 92 and 93. is a need to consider the redesign of the square. C) Upgrade of Queen Square bus terminal Any brief for this redesign would include the provision of a performance space, however it must The Queens Square bus station is going to increase maintain the flexibility of the space to accommodate in passenger numbers and this should be seen as a range of activities. The brief should also focus on an opportunity to increase footfall into Williamson improvements to seating and planting and respond Square. However there is a need to better integrate to climate change issues and health and well-being this bus station into the surrounding street scene, considerations. particularly it's relationship with Whitechapel and Roe Street. Easy access to the bus station and taxi rank should be maintained or improved, and access for loading/ unloading for the Theatre from Basnett Street should be maintained. 78 The redesign should ensure that it responds to the other public realm improvements proposed.
B. Whitechapel and Roe Street public realm improvements Whitechapel should be brought forward as part of the next phases of Liverpool City Council Connectivity Schemes.
The second phase of public realm improvements to Whitechapel would not only include the improvements to the pedestrian and cycle movements and the experience of the approach to the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square, but it will also include a public art / public realm strategy which celebrates and interprets the street as the original pool of the city. William Brown Street
St George's
St John's Lane Hall Dale Street
Sir Thomas Street
Lime Street
Stanley Street
Victoria Street Hood Street C Royal Court
B Roe Street
Metquarter Dawson Street
Stanley Street St John's Richmond Street A The Market Mathew Street Playhouse North John Street 79 Lime Street Whitechapel Houghton Street
Williamson Street Elliot Street Harrington Street
Tarleton Street
Basnett Street
Lord Street Church Street Parker Street
Crown copyright and database rights 2019 OS 100018351
▲ Plan of Stage 2 KEY interventions Public realm improvements (LCC Connectivity schemes)
Re-design of Williamson Square
Activated frontages
Improvements to pedestrian movement along Whitechapel and Roe Street
Heritage interpretation
Upgraded gateways to the Cavern Quarter
Activated nodes in the Cavern Quarter
Improved lighting on 'dark streets'
Upgrade of bus terminal 4.4 Stage 3 - The Final Moves
As a result of the positive changes, including the re-development of Williamson Square and improvements to Whitechapel and Roe Street, an opportunity is then opened up to consider the re-development of the St John's Market extension building and then in turn the site along Dawson Street.
A. Re-development of the St John's B. Dawson Street development Market extension building The Dawson Street site is a missing piece in The refurbishment or redevelopment of existing the townscape of the Williamson Square and buildings should always be carefully considered Whitechapel area. If the St John's Market extension and the benefits carefully assessed, before any building has been redeveloped and it's offer, design demolition is agreed. and relationship with the surrounding public realm improved, then Dawson Street stands out as the The remodelling and redesign of the extension anomaly. building could be considered as an option, before wholesale demolition and redevelopment. However Any development activities within this area can only there are key issues which any redevelopment must come forward once the existing taxi rank on Dawson address as set out below. Street has been successfully relocated, and with careful integration and maintenance of the M&S There are many benefits to be gained from the servicing route. Careful consideration should also remodelling or redevelopment of this building: be given to whether the existing Yates bar can be 80 accommodated within any redesign of this area. • Improve the northern elevation of Williamson Square The benefits of development within Dawson Street • Create a new urban block which better addresses are: the square, Roe Street and the bus station • Opportunity to repair frontage along Whitechapel • Potential to deliver new plots, and buildings and provide an additional improvement to the of smaller footprints. These would be less street scene and quality of Whitechapel frontage. reliant on large scale retail and would • It can reinstate a link between Williamson better reflect the grain of the existing Square and Queen's Square to improve buildings around the Williamson Square, permeability within the area. and the independent nature of many of the existing businesses within the area. • To increase the density of development in the area. • Alternatively new proposals could consider larger civic uses, such as a market building C. Improved connectivity which would contribute to the civic and community activities proposed as part The delivery of these two opportunities has the of the Williamson Square vision. potential to significantly improve the connectivity between Williamson Square and Roe Street, and in turn the connection back to Lime Street, and also between Williamson Square and Queens Square.
LL HA S William Brown Street
'
E
G
R
O E G . T S H T I W St George's Y T I St John's Lane Hall V I Dale Street T Sir Thomas Street C E Lime Street N N O IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY WITH LIME ST. C Stanley Street D E V O Victoria Street R P M I C
Hood Street Royal
Court
C Roe Street B A Metquarter Dawson Street
Stanley Street St John's Richmond Street The Market
Mathew Street Playhouse North John Street 81 Lime Street
Whitechapel Houghton Street
Williamson Street Elliot Street Harrington Street
Tarleton Street
Basnett Street Lord Street Church Street Parker Street
Crown copyright and database rights 2019 OS 100018351
KEY Public realm Improved lighting on improvements (LCC 'dark streets' Connectivity schemes) Upgrade of bus Re-design of terminal Williamson Square Redevelopment of Activated frontages St John's Market extension building Improvements to pedestrian movement Dawson Street along Whitechapel and development Roe Street
Heritage interpretation
Upgraded gateways to ▲ Plan of Stage 3 the Cavern Quarter interventions
Activated nodes in the Cavern Quarter
Area Specific Design Guidance 5.1 Enhancing the Cavern Quarter
84
The vision for the Cavern Quarter To achieve this, the Council will support proposals that will: imagines it as a diverse and dynamic • Contribute to achieving a greater diversity destination, with a rich cultural, and mix of uses, particularly daytime uses. retail and entertainment offer • Sensitively restore and enhance existing comprising of bars, performance buildings, respecting the local character. venues, cafés, restaurants, • Contribute to the decluttering of independent shops, museums building façades and public realm. and galleries, with a layer of • Activate ground floors with high quality unit frontages. music studios and offices on its • Keep the ground floors active during upper floors, resulting in a rich closing hours, through fixed lighting, daytime offer and a vibrant and avoiding the use of shutters, etc. diverse nightime destination. • Reduce the impact of loud music out onto the street. The quality of the environment is • Use modern, but sensitive signage. important and its feel should be • Introducing new, high quality artworks creative, edgy and lean heavily on in accordance to Policy ART2. the Quarter's cultural heritage and New development should avoid: remaining existing architecture. • Creation of new blank walls. • The use of non-transparent materials on ground floor units. KEY SPATIAL PRINCIPLES
▶ Edges Edges • Outer edges of the Cavern Quarter are encouraged to adopt the same design criteria as the Quarter in order to announce the destination and give clues to this 'inner world'.
Gateways ▶ Gateways • Entrance markers into the Cavern Quarter should be upgraded, clearly communicating one is entering into something special; these can be different for each street and can change seasonally or yearly, depending on occasion or funding opportunities.
85
Nodal Spaces ▶ Nodal spaces • Within the Quarter, where streets meet there are slightly bigger spaces that offer opportunities of smaller scale exhibitions, art works, attractions or events. • Their alignment with the gateways into the quarters means that the intervention can be glimpsed from outside the quarter, thus intriguing the visitor to continue inside.
▶ Street hierarchy Street Hierarchy • Mathew Street should remain the main artery of the quarter and become further strengthened through decluttering, improvements to street furniture and building façades and activating ground floors. • These principles should be implemented on the other streets as well, activating them with attractive uses and encouraging footfall and improving safety. GATEWAYS
Emphasise and enhance key entrance points, re- establishing linkages and weaving in the Cavern Quarter with the rest of the City Centre.
Currently the arches marking the gateways to the Cavern Quarter are slightly set back - this lures people into the area and accentuates the feeling of exploration and excitement. This principle should be retained, but gateway markers should be updated, not necessarily to a permanent and uniform design.
◀ Red Ball Project
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◀ Neals Yard, London
◀◀ St Christopher's Place, London NODAL SPACES
There is potential for some of the nodal spaces Key Considerations within the Cavern Quarter to become destinations • Any installation or furniture should be in themselves. These spaces can provide focal robust and maintenance light. points for views from just outside the entrances into the Cavern Quarter and have a positive impact on • Any intervention should respond to the area's strengthening the area's identity and diversity by built and cultural heritage whenever possible. exhibiting art, sensitively adding street furniture or • Implementation should take into holding events. They can become positive gathering consideration movement patterns and any points, strengthened by the ground floor uses. Their events that might lead to large gatherings character can change periodically or in response to of people in the Cavern Quarter. particular events.
▼ Neals Yard, London ▼▼ Outdoor theatre 87 production on Mathew Street, 1980s ▶ Sculpture
▶ Lighting
▶ Seating BLANK SURFACES AND WALLS Many of the ground floor surfaces on the site have little or no relationship to the street. There are a variety of ways one can animate these surfaces and these include the use of murals and graffiti, interactive art and installations and sculpture. These should be organised and implemented as part of a wider art and digital strategy. ◀ Grafitti
There's also an opportunity for a revolving programme on certain sites, like that of the Scottish Power sub-station on Mathew Street, where one could apply to beautify the hoarding or wall that would close off the site.
▼ The Lullaby Factory, ▼ ▼ Womanby Street, 88 Studio Weave Cardiff Text Text ◀ Interactive installations
◀ Co-created murals FOURTH FLOOR M RECORDING STUDIO UPPER FLOORS A There is an abundance of vacant upper floors within T the Cavern Quarter. This presents an opportunity H to densify the area and bring in complementary E THIRD FLOOR businesses and future industries, appropriate for the identity of the area. W FASHION BOUTIQUE TECH START-UP The Cavern Quarter can diversify and disperse the offer into these upper spaces, adding layers of S discovery and exploration to the visitor experience, T SECOND FLOOR and curating a music ecology of interconnected R GALLERY SPACE spaces, people, skills and businesses within the ARTIST STUDIO quarter. E E
T FIRST FLOOR RECORD SHOP RECORD LABEL
GROUND FLOOR BAR CAFE 89 LIVE MUSIC VENUE
BASEMENT
LIVE MUSIC VENUE
▶ Neals Yard, London
▶▶ The Belt, Detroit, US 5.2 Whitechapel - The Pool of Life
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It is little known that Whitechapel perfectly aligns with the original pool of Liverpool and that it is the home of its modern history
Future proposals should set up a consistent character through detailed design and finishes of street furniture to aid in legibility of the streets heritage and celebrate the history of The Pool of Life. KEY SPATIAL PRINCIPLES ▶ Movement & Orientation Movement & Orientation • Whitechapel should always allow for ease of movement and orientation to the surrounding city centre destinations. • It should become an obvious connector between the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square, supported by signposting. •
▶ Heritage Heritage • Heritage interpretation to unearth the richer narrative of place through detailed public realm design and physical demarcations, including that of the original Pool of Liverpool and Brian Epstein's walk from NEMS to the 91 Cavern where he discovered the Beatles. • Improve infrastructure of the street to be able to accommodate small and larger events and public gatherings, including seasonal markets.
▶ Dwelling & Trees Dwelling & Trees • The highlighted section of the street offers opportunities for comfortable dwelling on the busy thoroughfare. • Addition of trees would announce the Main Retail Area, improve microclimatic conditions and soften the streetscape. • This would then improve the setting of the market stalls who's look and design should be updated. MOVEMENT & ORIENTATION The aim is to improve pedestrian movement and This can be achieved by: public realm through Whitechapel at its upper • Implementing balanced street principles end, between Queen Square bus terminal and the beginning of the street's pedestrianised section. This • Introducing destination markers at key can still be achieved while retaining vehicular traffic, nodal points, such as street crossings including buses. and gateways to the bus terminal • Improved wayfinding, and • Improved wider pedestrian connectivity.
◀◀ Repair the pedestrian route
◀ Narrow the carriageway 92
◀◀ Improve permeability through the introduction of multiple pedestrian crossings
◀ Establish a green link ▶ Proposed new street section
93
Widened footpath 5.5m Widened footpath with heritage elements Spillout space
▶ Fishergate, Preston
▶▶ Neuer Wall, Hamburg, Germany 5.3 Williamson Square
94
The ambition for Williamson Square The Playhouse is well established is to become what is intended and beloved, and is currently of a traditional, civic square - a revisiting the role it has in modern place of meeting, passage and Liverpool. It would like to open exchange. The ambition of the its doors to the city figuratively historic Playhouse Theatre is to and literally - firstly by becoming open its doors and spill out onto the an engaging, community theatre square and offer the city more than with a diverse programme which a traditional cultural programme. would test new ways of including There is great opportunity for the citizens into culture; and secondly, two - Williamson Square and the by spilling out onto the square by Playhouse Theatre - to support extending its cafe, re-activating the each other in their evolution. ground floor, taking over underused buildings and showcasing its usually hidden backstage activities. KEY SPATIAL PRINCIPLES
▶ Movement Movement • The square should remain open and flexible to accommodate a variety of activities and unobstructed pedestrian movement, forming a part of a high quality route to Lime Street. • The square should remain car free, but servicing should be unobstructed during designated hours.
Orientation ▶ Orientation • Any design should take into consideration the most favourable atmospheric conditions such as sunlight and wind and lay the design out accordingly. • Dwelling opportunities should be improved, with comfortable, south facing benches with back rests and opportunities for both group or individual dwelling.
Playhouse Square ▶ Playhouse spilling out • Opportunities for the Playhouse to open up 95 and spill out and occupy Williamson Square. • Opportunity for reprogramming and re- branding the square as 'Playhouse Square'
Performance and Activity ▶ Performance and activity • A space on the square should be demarcated, symbolising an outside scene and performance space for the Playhouse, but not obstruct other types of events from taking place. • Removal of the fountains is supported - this can be counteracted by the new water feature planned as part of the Lime Street / St George's City Connectivity Scheme.
▶ Positive contribution to Positive Contribution to Edges edges • The buildings surrounding the square should have active ground floors facing onto the square and, where possible, street spill-out should be included. • Where possible, window frontages should be transparent and shutters discouraged to extend interest during the closing hours. PLAYHOUSE SQUARE In order to create a real civic square, it is important • Re-opening the an old kiosk and foyer. to offer a variety of opportunities for dwelling and • Opening a cafe terrace on the Square. activities on and around the square to support a lively street scene. This can include outdoor theatre • Pop-up interventions and activities. productions, street performers and markets. • Having a 'satellite' box office on the Square. The Playhouse Theatre vision 2030 is in progress • Occupying one or more buildings and includes the complete refurbishment of around the Square. the Playhouse, including a large glass fronted cafe/restaurant spilling out into the square. • Revealing the traditionally hidden The Playhouse will also serve as a catalyst for backstage activities in some of the retail participating in city and region-wide festivals and units or offices on the Square. events, animating Williamson Square in partnership • Symbolic through the use of sculpture with the city and beyond. and sound installations. The primary objective is to extend the presence and • Offering a venue for music performances influence of the Playhouse Theatre onto the square which do not 'fit' in the Cavern Quarter. and create a reciprocal relationship between the two. The symbiotic relationship between the Playhouse • Animating the surrounding façades and Williamson Square can have a number of to strengthen this character. realisations: • Developing partnerships with other cultural institutions, as well as businesses on the square.
96 ▼ Nottingham Playhouse's ◀ Re-opening up the old active interface by day and foyer night Text
◀ Spill out onto the square Text
◀ Projecting on the theatre Text The Stage An area on the square can be demarcated to However, it should not be elevated so as not to represent a stage - it can be used to either build restrict flexibility and obstruct movement during upon for bigger events or as a demarcation for non-event days. dwelling or street performances. This can be All this can spill-out onto the surrounding 'dark' temporary at first and permanent when funding for streets. larger public realm improvements are secured.
▼ Covent Garden, London ▼▼▼ Festival Square on Albert Square in Manchester during MIF
▶ Everyday
97
▶ Theatre Production
▶ Pavilion MOVEMENT Williamson Square should remain a space of unobstructed pedestrian movement. Courtesy between the users will be instrumental in achieving a comfortable environment for all. Quality street furniture will help achieve that and will include trees and planting, benches, bicycle parking etc. Shelter in the form of ground floor building features, awnings and kiosks should be considered in order to extend the dwelling capacity of the square.
It should also maintain access to the bus station and taxi rank, and the loading/unloading needs of the Playhouse Theatre.
▼ New Road, Brighton
▼▼ Bespoke cycle racks, ▼▼▼ Effective seating, ◀ Unobstructed movement Altrincham Dusseldorf, Germany
98
◀ Courtesy between users
◀ Seating
◀ Protection from rain and intense sunlight POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO EDGES
Vacant M&S Unit Meanwhile Use - To help activate the square, the ground floor can be let out for a short- to medium The Marks and Spencer unit on Williamson term. The Royal Court and Playhouse Theatre have Square has been vacant for a long time due to a expressed an interest in finding rehearsal space combination of issues it faces. The aspiration is for close by which is easily acccessible from the bus and the unit to be let by a quality long-term occupier - railway station. This type of use could also contribute but due to the challenges the owners of the unit face to the animation of Williamson Square, so would be in finding a permanent occupier and use for the unit, suppported by this SRF. a phased approach has been explored and includes three phases: Permanent Use - With the establishment of Williamson Square as an attractive destination and Activating the Facade - A first quick win would an 'address', the aspiration is that a permanent be activating the facade of the building with high occupier is found. quality, site-specific street art. This has already been successfully executed in recent years, opening an The ground floors should be attractive, inviting opportunity for more eccentric interventions, with and visually strong and clearly communicate the possible collaborations with the Playhouse Theatre building’s function. and other local institutions.
▶ Activating the facade ▼ The existing artistic ▼▼ The already iconic intervention can be facade of the Everyman 99 augmented Theatre, Liverpool
▶ Meanwhile Use
▶ Permanent Use ORIENTATION - THE NORTHERN EDGE The St John's Market extension building enjoys a This would soften the edges of the square and allow prime location - south facing, it has huge potential of people a variety of opportunities of using it in both improving its presence on the square by adding new passive and active ways. uses to its existing offer. This could be achieved by making the ground floor the main space of the store A demarcation in the paving should be used to or by adding a cafe to the existing retail units and, limit the extent of the spill-out in order to avoid where possible, extending this offer outside onto the excessive 'privatisation' of the public space and square. proposals would need to ensure no adverse impacts on pedestrian movements, as well as noise issues Other opportunities include street trees and ample through restrictions of opening hours. seating to activate that edge, turning people's gaze onto the busy central space of the square.
◀ Blending of functions Blurring the boundaries between in and out 100
▼ Arket on Whitechapel ▼▼ St Peter's Square, The clothing store houses Manchester a small cafe on its ground The wide benches on the floor, with outdoor seating square offer the user to sit during the warmer months whichever way or direction they prefer
◀ Turning our back on it Making full use of the southern facing edge
◀ Demarcation of spill-out within the paving Demarcation helps to control the extent of spill out within the square STREET FURNITURE AND PLANTING ON WILLIAMSON SQUARE
The architectural style for the square, as that of any High quality standards should also be extended to proposed new street furniture should be defined by temporary interventions and furniture. the Victorian and Modernist styles on show at the Appropriate tree species should be chosen to add Playhouse Theatre. volume and interest to the square and protect from The market stalls and their position within the wind currents and sources of pollution. square should be upgraded to add to the local authenticity and variety of offer.
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▶ Kiosk in Kings Cross, London
▶▶ Temporary furniture and installations on Festival (Albert) Square during Manchester International Festival 5.4 Development Opportunity
THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ST KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLES JOHN'S EXTENSION BUILDING AND • New developments should be of an DAWSON STREET appropriate size and scale, responding sensitively to existing building heights It is vital that any remodelling or redevelopment in and respecting existing landmarks. this area addresses the issues previously identified and has a positive impact on the future of the area. • Create a positive, open and direct ground floor interface with the surrounding streets Any new proposals must create a strong relationship and spaces, primarily Williamson Square, with Williamson Square, improve ease of movement through active and attractive ground floors. and accessibility through the area and create high quality new architecture. • Urban blocks and buildings should be orientated to create a clear distinction between fronts There are two options for redevelopment. The first and backs to avoid the creation of blank edges, is refurbishment and remodelling of the St John's and exposing unattractive servicing areas. extension building, the second is full redevelopment • Improve the link to William Brown of the site. These options are explained in more Street, St John's Garden and St George's detail opposite. Quarter and enhanced to create a high quality route to Lime Street. REDEVELOPMENT ON WILLIAMSON • Open up a new link between Williamson Square, SQUARE Dawson Street and Queen's Square Bus Station. Any other potential redevelopment in this area must • Create active, permeable edges and respect exiting building heights. spill-out where appropriate, particularly 102 along Williamson Square • Must be of high quality architecture, well designed and constructed, robust and environmentally sustainable.
KEY Up to 3.5 Storeys Up to 4 Storeys Up to 5 Storeys Primary Frontages New/improved linkages OPTION 1 - REMODELLING AND REFURBISHMENT
1 Refurbished and remodelled To Queen to create a new destination Sq Bus building (potential new Station Market Hall)
2 A new urban block, made up of a variety of buildings To Lime 2 Street of different unit sizes and heights 4 4 3 Removal of the first floor link to St John's improves 1 the look and feel, safety and the connection back to Lime To Church Street Street
4 The new street pattern 5 and building arrangement 3 creates clearer and better defined connections with Queen's Square Bus Station and Whitechapel 103 5 A new frontage for Williamson Square,3-3.5 adding life and vitality
OPTION 2 - COMPLETE REDEVELOPMENT
1 Complete redevelopment of the site enables a variety of To Queen buildings to be delivered 3 Sq Bus Station
2 A new urban block, made up of a variety of buildings of different unit sizes and To Lime heights 2 Street
3 Building heights range from 3 - 5 Storeys and provide 3 enclosure to Williamson Square and the surrounding 1 streets To Church 5 4 The new street pattern Street 3 and building arrangement creates clearer and better defined connections with Queen's Square Bus Station and Whitechapel
5 A new frontage for Williamson Square, adding life and vitality
Implementation and Funding 6.1 Implementation
The Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square SRF aims LINKS TO OTHER LCC to support and enable a change in the cultural, civic DEPARTMENTS and economic direction of the area to ensure that these areas fulfil their potential as key destinations It is clear through the production of this SRF that within the heart of Liverpool City Centre. many of the issues raised which are currently affecting the area cannot be addressed through a This level of ambition takes time to realise, and strategic planning document alone. requires the buy in of local businesses, cultural organisations, the local authority and the wider It is vital that other LCC departments are a part of the community. This SRF sets the direction, it takes a delivery of the vision and objectives set out within wider team to help implement. the SRF. These include, Public Health, Highways, Environmental Health, Licensing and Enforcement. A PHASED APPROACH It is recommended that an LCC internal delivery This phasing starts with 'Quick Wins' projects team is set up to guide and implement the SRF, which have been identified to be cost effective, yet particularly with regards to cleanliness, maintenance, impactful. They tackle immediate issues, and mark licensing and ensuring planning applications comply 'change'. They signal to the wider community and with the SRF objectives. investors, that change is coming and indicate what type of changes can be expected. THE STEPS TO DELIVERY
The following phase seeks to deliver key public There are several steps which underpin the delivery realm, infrastructure and public art projects. The of the aims and objectives of the SRF. The sequence implementation of these projects can form part of of these is not set in stone, however they are 106 the Liverpool City Council connectivity schemes. In presented in a logical sequence to help encourage many cases they provide the missing links between and support the delivery process. existing projects already under development. However most importantly they also concentrate on STEP 1: A PROSPECTUS AND enhancing the cultural and heritage identity of the area. MARKETING STRATEGY A prospectus document is a short hand version of The final phase includes the largest development the big ideas and projects within the SRF. It is easily opportunity. The previous changes tackle the most understood and can help to communicate and sell immediate issues, this phases is about taking the the projects. It can also be used as a marketing tool. area to the next level of the vision. If the first two phases have been successfully implemented, then A marketing and branding strategy will help to a strong case emerges to revisit the area between enhance and improve how the area is currently Williamson Square and Queen Square Bus Station. perceived and broaden the public's understanding of what the site area has to offer. Any marketing A project of this size and impact should be subject and branding should relate to and include a tourism to a separate masterplanning and detailed planning strategy. application, to explore and test the options. A design competition may also be appropriate. STEP 2: FOUNDING A CAVERN IMPLEMENTATION QUARTER STAKEHOLDER BOARD If the overarching vision and ambition of this SRF is A form of soft governance is required that has to be achieved, then all planning applications within the power to enable these changes to take place. this site area should be in line with the adopted We recommend the creation of a new non-profit planning policies and design guidance within this organisation to assist in the development of the document. Quarter, to help manage leases and become guardians of the vision. The board should liaise Developers, designers and artists will be expected to with the City Council and the BID in respect of the provide detailed and comprehensive submissions to regeneration of the area, including development demonstrate how they meet the key requirements proposals, events, public art projects and and design principles set out within this SRF. management of the area.
All applicants must liaise and consult with the The board should be made up of local businesses, necessary stakeholders including Network Rail. cultural organisations, tour guides, public houses and residents. STEP 2: FOUNDING A WILLIAMSON This board will then also act as 'client' on the public SQUARE STAKEHOLDER BOARD realm and potential future development proposals. Setting a clear brief for projects and guiding those We recommend the creation of a new non-profit developments through to implementation. organisation to assist in the development and programming of Williamson Square. STEP 3: AREA ACTION PLAN The Playhouse and their 2030 vision are key to a This Area Action Plan would set out key actions and successful future for the Square and the surrounding opportunities based on recommendations within streets, as is the existing St George's CIC. this SRF. It would also set out delivery mechanisms and partners, identify timescales and resources and The board is focussed on culture and community provide more detailed design guidance around the as well as business. The board should liaise with development opportunities identified on p 102-103. the City Council and the BID in respect of the regeneration of the area, including development Its purpose would be to attract development proposals, events, public art projects and partners to invest and help deliver the aspirations of management of the area. The board should be made the SRF. up of local businesses, cultural organisations and public houses. 6.2 Funding
S106 CONTRIBUTIONS transport and infrastructure investments as well as 107 to education investments which will be critical to the Contributions should be prioritised and will help future growth of the City Region as a whole. ensure the quality of the future development within Cavern Quarter, Whitechapel and Williamson Square Therefore, within the Cavern Quarter and Williamson and deliver the vision of the SRF. Development Square SRF area there are a number of proposals contributions could be relevant to: which have the opportunity to be funded from the SIF in order to unlock key sites and developments. • Public realm and public open space improvements, including street trees; LIVERPOOL CITY REGION LEP • Improvements to highways and public transport; FUNDING • Public art; The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise • Lighting schemes and enhanced Partnership priorities are set out in ‘Building Our signage and wayfinding; Future’ a joint strategy with the Liverpool Combined Authority. This focuses on productivity, people • Events programming and delivery. and place. The main priorities for the LCR LEP are research, innovation and business support with CITY REGION COMBINED the LCR LEP programme aiming to promote direct AUTHORITY FUNDING investment, principally within small medium enterprises (SMEs), into sustainable business and as In 2015 the government agreed terms for the a result, increase private sector employment. devolution of a range of powers and responsibilities to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority URBAN GREENUP and a new directly elected Metro Mayor for the City Region (Steve Rotherham was appointed in May To facilitate Green Infrastructure Studies within 2017). The Metro Mayor has powers over strategic Liverpool, Liverpool City Council has been awarded planning as well as the LCR Single Investment Fund circa. 2.2 million euros. Although funding has (SIF). already been allocated to trial, monitor and create three green corridors, additional funding may At the City Region level, there are opportunities to become available as there is potential to bring green fund new infrastructure through devolved funding infrastructure into Cavern Quarter and Williamson and the use of public assets. Any arrangements for Square, as set out within this SRF. future funds or new sources will be determined by the Metro Mayor. Such funding sources are likely to lend themselves to large scale strategic Cavern Quarter &Williamson Square