A public consultation on a masterplan aimed at transforming the epicentre of Liverpool’s musical heritage is to begin next week.
Starting on Monday, 21 October the public will be invited to give their views on a draft Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the Cavern Quarter, including Mathew Street – home of the world famous music venues the Cavern Club and Eric’s, and nearby Williamson Square.
The draft SRF contains a range of recommendations to help attract new investment and to enable the council to steer the future use of existing buildings in the area. The document aims to address a recent tourism report that called for the city to curate a clearer proposition around Liverpool’s pivotal role in the story of popular and contemporary music.
A UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool’s music heritage industry – which is centred around The Beatles – is now worth more than £90m a year, but the tourism report found visitors are increasingly looking for a quality experiential visit.
The Cavern Quarter/Williamson Square draft SRF has been approved by Liverpool City Council’s cabinet and as part of the five week long consultation, a series of events will be held for the public to ask questions on the proposals and recommendations.
The public events will be held on:
- Thursday 24 October 10-3pm One-Stop Shop, St Johns Market
- Friday 8 November 10-3pm One-Stop Shop, St Johns Market
- Tuesday 19 November 2-5pm at RIBA North, Mann Island
The draft SRF will also be available to read online at www.liverpool.gov.uk/cavernwilliamson and will be accompanied by a questionnaire to garner feedback.
The public consultation will close on Friday, 22 November after which the responses will be reviewed to inform an updated version of the draft SRF. This revised version will then be presented back to Liverpool City Council’s cabinet for endorsement.
After final approval it will be used to guide all future planning applications within the area. It will eventually become a Spatial Planning Document when Liverpool’s Local Plan is formally adopted in Autumn 2020.
