http://www.nwda.co.uk/docs/ropeworks

Rope Walks Arthur Stafford Operations Director, FACT

FACT IN THE ROPE WALKS LIVERPOOL City Centre, People and Activity

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The Rope Walks Story “It’s a great little neighbourhood with a great atmosphere… a village in the heart of this international city … quite different from the rest of the city centre … alternative, independent, creative … somewhere to meet up and hang out …”

Quick bit of history • Developed as an area of merchants houses and warehouses close to Old Dock • By 1785 the street pattern of today was set • Long, narrow streets used to bind rope • Georgian and Victorian terraces to house dockland labourers • Use of historic dock declines • Demand for warehousing decreases • Merchants move out to suburbs • Buildings become vacant and decay • ‘No go’ area by early 1990s

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Physical Environment Challenges

Fear of anti-social behaviour Indifferent lighting Parking / public transport balance Non-pedestrian friendly walk ways Dirt and litter Lack of fellow walkers No dalliance / browsing

Connecting with Key Locations • The Liverpool One effect • Estimated 1,000,000 people in the city centre • Significant opportunity to divert a % from retail to culture • Internal-LARC connections and collaborations • Sympathetic event programming • Target setting and evaluation • Pilot projects funded through THRIVE

Destination Hub • • • • • •

Well served by all bus routes Merseyrail Central Station – signage Well served by on street parking and peripheral car parks NW Visitor Destination work – Hope Street/Albert Dock axis Liverpool One Student population access

Night-time Economy • More effective management of public spaces • More efficient approach to city centre cleanliness • Better relationship between public transport / city centre parking • Light and safe walkways between transport nodes and destinations • Wayfinding between retail / eating / drinking sites and cultural institutions • Democratisation of cultural opportunity and access

What’s Next?

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Management of Public Realm Wider Stakeholder Engagement Promotion of Iconic Attractions Establish Clear Identity Continuation of Development and Enforcement Programmes