The wellbeing of events

This summer will see a wide programme of free events in Liverpool. Liverpool BID Company’s Celebrating Bold Street and Celebrating Castle Street events mark the unique character of two of the city centre’s famous thoroughfares. This year they are joined by Last Day of Summer, a free festival stretching along the city’s waterfront.

Celebrating Castle Street will take place on Sunday 4th August, with Celebrating Bold Street taking place on Sunday 11th August. Both will run from 11am - 5pm with both roads closed as businesses spread into the public realm. Each street will have a dedicated programme of entertainment and activity to mark its distinctive character.

As a foodie destination, filled with food and drink venues, close to cultural attractions and historic landmarks, Castle Street’s programme will feature a food and drink hub at Exchange Flags with a chef’s demo stage. Partnering with Parentfolk there will be a selection of music, mixology, and workshops. Busking spots will provide ambience and create a fantastic atmosphere alongside dot-art drawing classes, yoga classes, a mini golf course and more.

Bold Street’s quirky, independent style will be at the forefront with busking spots and a ukulele class. Batala Mersey will provide entertainment alongside stilt walkers. A record fair at the Bombed Out Church will provide a hangout spot for vinyl lovers.

The Waterfront event will take place on Saturday 31st August and will see four key areas, spread across the waterfront, stretching from the Pier Head to ACC Liverpool, designed to provide something for everyone. There will be four distinct areas; Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will feature a food, drink and music hub; Mann Island will home free family workshops and activities with Parentfolk looking after family activities; The Pier Head will see performance and activity; Peel will host a wellbeing hub, with free yoga, mindfulness, sound baths and open water swimming.

Along the route of the festival, people can also enjoy shows and performances through the day including street performers ‘Gulls’, interactive games, canvas painting, DJs, a LUSH activation Festival Spa Bar, Craft + Code workshops and more.

City centre businesses like bars, restaurants and retail benefit from these events. They attract footfall and allow businesses to show that they are part of a wider story. The character and culture of streets like Bold Street and Castle Street are important ingredients in their appeal to diners and visitors. A new festival like that along the Waterfront allows for people to see the wide range of businesses and offers from the Pier Head and Liverpool waters, down to Royal Albert Dock Liverpool and ACC Liverpool. It helps to create destinations.

Wellbeing is also an important part of these events. Liverpool BID runs a wellbeing networking group with city centre businesses. Identifying ways in which workplaces and activity can be healthier and more productive, it helps to make the city a better place to be. Working together through event programmes allows businesses to learn from each other and discover new ways to benefit their employees and create happier workplaces.

www.liverpoolbidcompany.com