Would you sail to Liverpool

Olivepage · Post by **Olivepage** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:51 pm

I don't think theres a lot to say really.

Its a marina in a big city up a nasty tidal river. No better or worse than a number of others

I'd not overplay the "city of culture" bit. A lot of people see it as a means of redistributing large sums of public money for very little benefit for most people.

If you're in the area and need shelter and the tide is right its fine. I wouldn't make a journey especially to visit the place.

claymore · Post by **claymore** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:30 pm

I have been working in Liverpool for one day per month over the past year - fantastic place, absolutely love it.

claymore · Post by **claymore** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:43 pm

You cannot wander around Liverpool and not marvel at the history of the place - be that related to the slave trade, emigration, WW2 or the merseybeat. The buildings are just awesome and I am enthralled by the place.

Arghiro · Post by **Arghiro** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:40 pm

I was born there (well across the river actually) and the city & people are great. BUT it I have never fancied sailing in the river (except off the foreshore in a dinghy).

The current is strong, and wind over tide is damned uncomfortable, plus, with dock walls on one side & sandstone promenade on the other there are few places of shelter other than the marina or the River Alt. There are moorings at New Brighton (rather exposed) or Tranmere (risk of oil/ naptha leaks). Plus the scenery cannot be described as pretty by any stretch - altho the pierhead is quite impressive.

craggy_steve · Post by **craggy_steve** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:15 am

Dad grew up there. I got to know it moderately well visiting Grandad etc.

As said it has enormous heritage to enjoy.

When I bought Ameera she was in L'pool marina. I got her out as fast as I could. I guess I might sail to L'pool as a foreigner viewing it as a tourist destination, but as me - no chance. Having said that I don't enjoy cities or urban culture, so it is an anathema to me.

I think they could make the city a lot more visitor friendly, make more of the historic heritage etc., but for comparators I think that both Manchester and Leeds are way ahead of L'pool in that respect. For me L'pool is somewhere to land by plane or ship and get out of ASAP. Shame.

aquaplane · Post by **aquaplane** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:07 pm

I wouldn't sail there, or in the Irish sea, not in my little ship anyway.

I have been on a visit though, it's quite nice round the docks, loads to look at and the architecture shows how much money there was swilling around in't old days.

Telo · Post by **Telo** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:12 pm

To be honest Jools, I probably really wouldn't bother with with Liverpool as a sailing destination; it's just not a coastline that that I find attractive. On our only foray south we sailed to IoM and then down the east side of Ireland. However, I certainly wouldn't rule it out as a destination if we happened to be sailing in the area.

I love the city, and genuinely enjoy the atmosphere, its friendliness, and the local wit and humour. I agree that it's got a pretty terrible reputation, but I'd guess that a lot of it has had to do with media presentation, and, to be frank, the snobbery of its many detractors. Like any big city that lost its industry and purpose, it's gone through a lot of negative changes that have been reflected in the way it has been portrayed.

When I had a proper job, I'd occasionally stay at the Adelphi Hotel in Lime Street, a great location, and, if you enjoy a little bit of chaos, and don't mind an element of surprise, a very entertaining place to stay.

As for the City of Culture, well, I know that was a source of great humour for some in TOP, but Liverpool has long been an important cultural centre with its Tate Gallery and the the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, both of which could knock the spots off anything in the Home Counties.

I understand Olivepage's point but beg to differ. The City of Culture event in 1990, and the earlier Glasgow Garden Festival, were similarly criticised; some on the right argued that it was throwing good money after bad, and some on the left were just "anti" and claimed would do nothing for the mass of the people, particularly the poorest. I believe that both were wrong; arguably, the benefits took a long time to come through, but I would suggest that the European City of Culture was one of several measures that helped restore that city's pride and confidence, which has led to some important regeneration. I wouldn't claim that it has solved all the problems, but believe that it has helped, and that its impact has been measurable.

Historically, great cities cities like Glasgow and Liverpool made enormous contributions to the wealth of the UK. Markets have changed and the world has moved on, so I see nothing wrong in using UK public money to help regenerate cities where the "market" has subsequently failed to provide social support or infrastructure that can lead to regeneration. I wish Liverpool well.