My sis in law and her hub flew over from Hong Kong last week to attend another one of my sis in law's wedding in London.

I've booked a couple of rooms for us at the Holiday Inn, Albert Dock next Tuesday and my missus and I are going to take them around Liverpool for the whole tourist bit.

What would your 24 hour Liverpool Tourist Itinerary be?

My sis in law and her hub flew over from Hong Kong last week to attend another one of my sis in law's wedding in London.

I've booked a couple of rooms for us at the Holiday Inn, Albert Dock next Tuesday and my missus and I are going to take them around Liverpool for the whole tourist bit.

What would your 24 hour Liverpool Tourist Itinerary be?

Anfield Museum/Stadium Tour for starters.

There would be that many trophies to look at, not sure If I'd have time for anything else.

My sis in law and her hub flew over from Hong Kong last week to attend another one of my sis in law's wedding in London.

I've booked a couple of rooms for us at the Holiday Inn, Albert Dock next Tuesday and my missus and I are going to take them around Liverpool for the whole tourist bit.

What would your 24 hour Liverpool Tourist Itinerary be?
1 The liverpool duck for a dip into the albert dock.
2 Beatles experience tour around the city in the old bus
3 Something to scoff at the Albert dock or anywhere in the city nowadays.
4 Tour of Cains Brewery, and several pints of the local brew :cheers: :cheers:
5 Trip to the top of the Anglican Cathedral, dont forget camera.
6 A trip up the top of Paradise St MSCP to see the new building site, for future shopfest re-visit :)

......to name a few

1) Stroll around the Albert Dock, visiting the Maritime Museum, Tate, Museum of Liverpool Life. (Book a trip on the Yellow Duckmarine - book for around 1.30pm-2pm, £9.50 each.)
2) Take a walk around the Pier Head, looking at the 'Three Graces' and Titanic munument etc.
3) Lunch at the Shanghai Palace restaurant (the old Berni Inn), I recommend the Kung Po Chicken.
4) Walk back to the Duck Tour stop, via the PSDA explaining whats going on.
5) Do the Duck Tour.
6) Get a taxi from the Albert Dock up to the Cathedrals - do the tour.
7) Take a stroll around the Canning Street area, take a look at the Wonderful Georgian architecture, having a pint in Peter Kavannahs if thats your bag!
8) Enjoy dinner in one of the nice restaurants in Hope Street.
9) Taxi back to the Hotel, shit,shower,shave, then go for a few jars anywhere in town.

Dave, all the above plus ferry cross the mersey and the open top tourist bus which takes in all the main sites around the city centre and its a "hop on hop off" service. Could also walk along the prom from Seacombe to New Brighton.

Oh yes!! that's the most important one, the Ferry Cross the Mersey! Forgot about that....

Whenever we have visitors from outside the city, me mum and dad always take them to the Heritage Market and TJ Hughes.... they love it, especially TJ's!

Yeh, the ferry is an unforgettable experience :)

Thanks for your advice chaps. I'm printing them all off and will take them with us next week :cheers:

I'm much prefer traipsing around the deserted and derelict central docks, but I don't think my missus and family would appreciate it :)

Let us know how you get on Dave, if your visitors had a good time etc....

I was going to say, "Dont forget your camera," but as if you would!!

Have lunch at the top of the museum if you can, or on top of the Rat & Parrot. :)

Rat & Parrott - never liked that roof-top terrace. Dont like the thought of inhaling all those Merseybus fumes from Roe Street while i'm having a pint. Does the new Museum restaurant have an open-air viewing area, or is it all indoors?

Its all indoors for now. The view is excellent, although marred somewhat by the presence of St Johns and Birkenhead. There is ample space outside for a roof terrace, whether it is in line for future expansion, I don't know. Would be good though! :)

Could always jump on a train to Southport...

Why not jump a train to Preston, is there nothing to do/see there?! :lol:

Why not jump a train to Preston, is there nothing to do/see there?! :lol:
Thats rubbish...
We have more museums and art galleries than Liverpool combined
We have a better waterfront than you
We have more motorways than you
We have the newest canal in the country
We have the National Football Museum
We have the largest bus station in Western Europe
Our river is less polluted than yours
We built Eurofighter
R2D2 lives here
We have 2 football teams, same as you
Our public squares are better than yours
We are closer to Blackpool, the entertainment capital of Europe
BUT...
We DONT have a direct motorway or rail link to Liverpool

Fuck off gimp!

We have more museums and art galleries than Liverpool combined (no you dont)
We have a better waterfront than you (no you dont)
We have more motorways than you (ok yes, hardly a tourist destination though)
We have the newest canal in the country (not for long)
We have the National Football Museum (yes you do)
We have the largest bus station in Western Europe (again, thats great for tourists init)
Our river is less polluted than yours (a good thing if you're going swimming)
We built Eurofighter (so what?)
R2D2 lives here (does he?)
We have 2 football teams, same as you (whats the other team?)
Our public squares are better than yours (are they?)
We are closer to Blackpool, the entertainment capital of Europe (chav central)

We have more museums and art galleries than Liverpool combined (no you dont)
Okay
We have a better waterfront than you (no you dont)
Matter of opinion
We have more motorways than you (ok yes, hardly a tourist destination though)
Yes, but its better for tourists travelling
We have the newest canal in the country (not for long)
I assume you are refferring to the pie in the sky pier head canal?
We have the National Football Museum (yes you do)
We win!
We have the largest bus station in Western Europe (again, thats great for tourists init)
Its an architectural wonder to rival the graces
Our river is less polluted than yours (a good thing if you're going swimming)
Part of the reason why all the speedboaters banned from Windermere have relocated here
We built Eurofighter (so what?)
Means we could beat you in a fight ;)
R2D2 lives here (does he?)
Yes, Kenny Baker who plays R2D2 lives in Preston
We have 2 football teams, same as you (whats the other team?)
Bamber Bridge
Our public squares are better than yours (are they?)
Yep!
We are closer to Blackpool, the entertainment capital of Europe (chav central)
So? Its still fun
:banana:

:banana:

OK Accy you win, Preston is a better tourist destination than Liverpool.

We'll have to get the organisers of the Mersey River festival, Creamfields, Matthew Street festival etc etc to relocate to Preston next year. If only Liverpool had more motorways eh......

Which reminds me, part of SeaBritain2005 is being held in Preston :yes:
I'm sure you guys are getting a chunk of that too?

Preston Docks were built as an overspill for Liverpool.

OK Accy you win, Preston is a better tourist destination than Liverpool.

We'll have to get the organisers of the Mersey River festival, Creamfields, Matthew Street festival etc etc to relocate to Preston next year. If only Liverpool had more motorways eh......


Dicky, you really should no better than to give him the time of day!

Dicky, you really should no better than to give him the time of day!

I know I know Bust! But there's a method in my madness....

If I can get Accy embroiled in useless conversation when he should be revising, he might fail his GCSE's and end up working in the McDonald's near one of Preston's fancy public squares..... no internet access at Maccies = less Accy!!!

Preston Docks were built as an overspill for Liverpool.
Both true and untrue. It is indeed true that ships bound for Liverpool we're diverted to Preston. This is because the scouse dockworkers were lazy and went on strike, and the Prestonian dockworkers were far more reliable :bleh:
Preston, like other Lancashire coastal towns (Heysham, Fleetwood, Barrow which are still going healthy today. Most northern ones have except Glasson) had an indpendant trade. Preston's largest export was (naturally) textiles and also timber and the largest import was banana's! :banana:

And I assure you DS, I have been fitting in plenty of revision.

No sorry, they were actually built as a Liverpool overspill when liverpool was at bursting capacity in the late nineteenth century.

Thats only one factor. And Heysham, Glasson, Fleetwood and Barrow were not built as overspills either!
Heysham for ferries
Fleetwood for fish
Glasson as an overspill for Fleetwood on the Wyre
Barrow for shipbuilding mainly.
Admittedly, Preston often took Liverpool's traffic (PRIMARILY because Liverpool dockworkers were on strike) but when it was opened as Albert Edward Dock, it was built to serve the booming Lancashire industries.

Both true and untrue. It is indeed true that ships bound for Liverpool we're diverted to Preston. This is because the scouse dockworkers were lazy and went on strike, and the Prestonian dockworkers were far more reliable :bleh:
Preston, like other Lancashire coastal towns (Heysham, Fleetwood, Barrow which are still going healthy today. Most northern ones have except Glasson) had an indpendant trade. Preston's largest export was (naturally) textiles and also timber and the largest import was banana's! :banana:

And I assure you DS, I have been fitting in plenty of revision.

That of course explains why Preston has closed and Liverpool is busier than ever. :cheers:

Thats rubbish...
We have the largest bus station in Western Europe


One of those interesting but nonsense statistics of the sort EB so enjoys. Is the implication that there might be a bigger bus station in Eastern Europe? By what measure is 'largest' taken? Number of bays? Number of buses that can be loaded/unloaded at same time? Number of destinations?

Anyway, I agree it's splendid, I have visited it (changed coach there at some point in the 1970s) and it was the one building I liked in Preston and that I thought should be conserved. However, I seem to remember that when I told you this you told me it was due for demolition. So - if you are boasting about it as a draw for tourists - are you going to tell me there has been a campaign and it's been saved?

As for 24 hours in Liverpool, if the weather is nice I dont think you can beat a nice walk around the Canning area; cathedrals; down to the St Georges Hall/Museum/Art Gallery at Wm Brown Street then down through the old financial district to the Pier Head / Albert Dock, ferry to Seacombe, walk to NB, train back to town.

Someone who works with me visited Liverpool for the first time recently, a Londoner, and he commented on how small the city centre was. He said he loved it, but was surprised that you could walk to most places rather than needing to use public transport ot taxis. Other people have said that as well, and I suppose it's true, it's quite compact. Once the dock developments and Paradise St schemes are completed, and other areas on the periphery of the CBD flesh out, the centre will be and feel a lot bigger and I suppose harder to do a circuit of the centre in a few hours. But that is where the tram will come in handy.

no internet access at Maccies = less Accy!!!

Actually, McWormburger have been installing tinternet connections in some of their 'resturants'. Lets just pray they miss out the one by Preston Dock. ;)

Actually, McWormburger have been installing tinternet connections in some of their 'resturants'. Lets just pray they miss out the one by Preston Dock. ;)


Spot on Bunny, when I am working in London I use McDonalds in Earls Court (£1per hour) and Burger King are also offering "tinternet" with there buns.

Someone who works with me visited Liverpool for the first time recently, a Londoner, and he commented on how small the city centre was. He said he loved it, but was surprised that you could walk to most places rather than needing to use public transport ot taxis. Other people have said that as well, and I suppose it's true, it's quite compact. Once the dock developments and Paradise St schemes are completed, and other areas on the periphery of the CBD flesh out, the centre will be and feel a lot bigger and I suppose harder to do a circuit of the centre in a few hours. But that is where the tram will come in handy.

I was thinking the same thing. I have met several people from various places who have said they thought the city was an ideal size. Like the nucleus of an atom, all the matter concentrated in a relatively small area. In contrast to the likes of London and Birmingham that just sprawl. You need to get taxis between pubs in some places! Once Kings Dock, (and I'm sure we'll see) Central Docks developed the city will be much more 'padded' out. Hopefully the trams won't be too pricey.

Oh yeah, if you're up near Hope St. then go to the Philharmonic pub. I went there a few weeks ago and it was amazing. A wide selection of cask ales, and the most lavishly decorated pub I have ever seen. They could charge people to go in there for a tourist attraction- It's like stepping back in time.

Toadboy likes hanging around the bogs in there. :)

Take the ferry to Woodside or the Merseyrail to Hamilton Sq. on the Wirral side of the Mersey. From there you'll get a good picture shot of the Liverpool waterfront near the oldest tram lines in the world (??). There's also the Birkenhead Warships, Seacombe Aquarium and Ellesmere Port on that side of the river.

The Walker Art Gallery is a great way of killing a couple of hours, also take a look at what's going on in the theatres of an evening.

Actually, McWormburger have been installing tinternet connections in some of their 'resturants'. Lets just pray they miss out the one by Preston Dock. ;)
That McDonalds is state of the art. They have about 10 plasma screens inside and its pretty well furnished. They even have an indoor play area!

Them bogs are class Bunny.

24 hours isn't enough Dave so you'll have do whistle stop. In effect we're talking the DUCK and the ferries.

A walk up to the Anglican Cathedral then across to the wigwam wouldn't go amiss either.

Actually, McWormburger have been installing tinternet connections in some of their 'resturants'. Lets just pray they miss out the one by Preston Dock. ;)
I was online at McDonalds, Enfield (off the A10) on Sunday morning. They use BT Openzone :cheers:

Just received a BBC news report concerning my tit of a brother, aka 'The Munkier Gingernuts'.

http://rob%20vogel.isagaylord.com/

Be interesting to see what my rellies think of this. Personally, I love the design :cheers:

http://www.**************************/paddymay.jpg

Superb photo Dave. Not to everyone's tastes, but must be one of my favourite buildings anywhere. I've not seen a photo showing how the stairway improves the cathedral's setting as much as that one before.

I had a coffee and a bun in the new cafe on the right when i was last there. Could schedule that in for a pitstop for your rellies. You need a rest after all those steps.

Thats rubbish...
We have more museums and art galleries than Liverpool combined
We have a better waterfront than you
We have more motorways than you
We have the newest canal in the country
We have the National Football Museum
We have the largest bus station in Western Europe
Our river is less polluted than yours
We built Eurofighter
R2D2 lives here
We have 2 football teams, same as you
Our public squares are better than yours
We are closer to Blackpool, the entertainment capital of Europe
BUT...
We DONT have a direct motorway or rail link to Liverpool

How can you boast about the Eurofighter ya numpty. It was billions of pounds over budget and years behind Schedule.

As for Blackpool, what a shithole.

Both true and untrue. It is indeed true that ships bound for Liverpool we're diverted to Preston. This is because the scouse dockworkers were lazy and went on strike, and the Prestonian dockworkers were far more reliable :bleh:
Preston, like other Lancashire coastal towns (Heysham, Fleetwood, Barrow which are still going healthy today. Most northern ones have except Glasson) had an indpendant trade. Preston's largest export was (naturally) textiles and also timber and the largest import was banana's! :banana:

And I assure you DS, I have been fitting in plenty of revision.

Heysham is run by the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company. :bleh:

Dave your photo really enhances the look of the Wigwam - fantastic. :cheers:

That McDonalds is state of the art. They have about 10 plasma screens inside and its pretty well furnished. They even have an indoor play area!

And what more could you want with your dose of bowel cancer?

The new Liverpool Museum is superb, as is the Walker (though the Lucien Freud wasn't there last time I visited, unfortunately). Both are definitely worth visits.

How can you boast about the Eurofighter ya numpty. It was billions of pounds over budget and years behind Schedule.
There are a few projects in this country that are on budget and on schedule.
Look at Merseytram!

What's it like in Preston Accy? I mean what's it really like?

Is it as good as you make out or is it as bad as everybody else makes out?

What's it like in Preston Accy? I mean what's it really like?

Is it as good as you make out or is it as bad as everybody else makes out?
Its not fantastic, but its still very underrated.
I know I might make it out to be fantastic, but I guess everyone is like that with their hometown and I've lived here for like 13 years lol...
I'm happy with life. I live in a decent house, in a decent area, I go to a decent school, I've got a choice of 7 colleges to go to, I've got everything I need here plus a few landmarks and history to be proud of. What more could a 16 year old ask for?

Its not fantastic, but its still very underrated.
I know I might make it out to be fantastic, but I guess everyone is like that with their hometown and I've lived here for like 13 years lol...
I'm happy with life. I live in a decent house, in a decent area, I go to a decent school, I've got a choice of 7 colleges to go to, I've got everything I need here plus a few landmarks and history to be proud of. What more could a 16 year old ask for?

Nice to hear you're happy with life Accy. A 16 year old couldnt ask for much more really.

Your school days are the best days of your life. My advice to you is to stay in full time education for as long as you can, you wont regret it. Seven colleges to choose from is good. My school had a 6th form and most of us just stayed on rather than going to a proper college. Do you have University aspirations Accy? My guess is you'll have to move further afield to Liverpool or Manchester if you want to really fulfill your academic aspirations. UCL is ok, buts hardly a 'red brick' university is it. Good luck in your GCSE's anyway, hope life continues to treat you well.

I must visit Preston one day, if i'm not too busy that is.

Sixth form's shit, especially in an all boys school.

Go to college, Accy. :)

Do you have University aspirations Accy?
Yep :)

My guess is you'll have to move further afield to Liverpool or Manchester if you want to really fulfill your academic aspirations. UCL is ok, buts hardly a 'red brick' university is it.
I dont mind going to UCLAN, but I would much rather go to either Manchester or Liverpool. My uncle did his Civil Engineering Master Degree at LJM, and he has pointed me in that direction. However, going to UCLAN might make life much easier cos it would be much cheaper. I'll see how things go.

If you ever do visit Preston, I'd be very happy to give you a tour ;)

Another reason I like living here is cos I've got the countryside and the city on my doorstep. So basically, I can be in the back of beyond in just a few minutes walk. I did it last night and took these!

http://img234.echo.cx/img234/9083/pic49id.jpg

The buildings in the distance are the docks. The hills in the distance is the Forest of Bowland
http://img244.echo.cx/img244/461/pic51gz.jpg

http://img266.echo.cx/img266/6962/pic81az.jpg

The buildings on the right of this pic are my school, and the field with the cows in it was part of my route home
http://img266.echo.cx/img266/9789/pic100iz.jpg

Sixth form's shit, especially in an all boys school.

Go to college, Accy. :)
Fortunately, my school is a comprehensive and doesnt have a sixth form :D

Great photos Accy! I love the pylons in the 3rd photo.

I went to an all chap's comprehensive school in West Derby, we had a 6th form with 150-odd blokes and 2 girls, it was like the scramble for Africa!

I also went to LJMU, i'd agree with your Uncle Accy and go to JMU.

Great photos Accy! I love the pylons in the 3rd photo.

I went to an all chap's comprehensive school in West Derby, we had a 6th form with 150-odd blokes and 2 girls, it was like the scramble for Africa!

I also went to LJMU, i'd agree with your Uncle Accy and go to JMU.

Dicky, did you go to West Derby Comp? That was my old school :cheers:

I certainly did David. I bet when you went it was called West Derby Technical School or something like that?!! :jk:

So did I!!!! it was called West Derby Tech when I went, Mr. Casson (I think) was the headmaster back then and Mr. Oldfield, our form teacher, also taught geography, some years ago!!!

Blessed Ambrose Barlow was the catholic school next door.

So did I!!!! it was called West Derby Tech when I went, Mr. Casson (I think) was the headmaster back then and Mr. Oldfield, our form teacher, also taught geography, some years ago!!!

Blessed Ambrose Barlow was the catholic school next door.

Is that the Merseyside Centre for the Deaf now??

It was a very good school when i went (1992) but i've heard its gone downhill (but havent all schools?)

Peter Fraser was the headmaster when I left in 1999. I've fond memories of school days.

I certainly did David. I bet when you went it was called West Derby Technical School or something like that?!! :jk:
Bollocks! I may be an old fart, but not that old :)

It turned Comprehensive the year I started. Before that it was West Derby High. Our headmaster was Tom Saunders (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/academy/). At the time he was also manager of Liverpool and England Schoolboys Football. He retired in the 70s and was taken on as Youth Development Officer at Anfield. He was a common sight in the dugout at the matches. They've named the lecture theatre at the Academy after him.

Well i didn't know Tom Saunders was the headmaster at West Derby!

I remember he used to always sit next to Kenny, Ronnie and Roy and in the dug-out at Anfield!

When I left in 1999 we were still using text books that had 'West Derby Technical School - Liverpool Corporation' printed on the first page, those books must be about 50 years old!

I think from your days the only teachers still there are Mr Woods, Mr Moore, Mr Spencer, though even they may be a bit after your time?

Go on www.friendsreunited.co.uk theres some good teacher and school memories on the boards

So did I!!!! it was called West Derby Tech when I went, Mr. Casson (I think) was the headmaster back then and Mr. Oldfield, our form teacher, also taught geography, some years ago!!!

Blessed Ambrose Barlow was the catholic school next door.
Hi Doug, I thought it was High, but Dicky has the evidence to prove it was Tech :)

I remember Casson. I think he was our Physics teacher. Do you remember Mr Craine the French teacher? Smashing bloke. Used to call me Bald Eagle coz of my No1 crop. Mad Reds fan. Used to see him at a few games. MB Williams the history teacher? Mad as a hatter. He had a wooden box with a battery inside. He made the kids touch the metal plates on the side of the box and then he'd crank up the battery and give the kids electric shocks! :bash:

MB Williams sadly passed away a few years ago. I started the year after he left. When he passed away all the teachers were gutted, he was a very well liked and respected member of staff. He lived just off Derby Lane, off Queens Drive.

We used to hear stories about him from the teachers and older pupils, about him driving his 4 wheel drive jeep across the school field from Banky to Quarry, doing wheel spins and ruining the footy pitches... the PE teachers used to go mad i believe!!!

That's where I went and was where I was talking about. I didn't like sixth form one bit.

The school headmaster at the time was Mr Fraser. It had a reasonable reputation when I was first there but went worse whilst I was there. (the fact I was there and that the school went down the nick have no relation I promise! ;)). Some crazy woman headteacher's there now apparently.

I think from your days the only teachers still there are Mr Woods, Mr Moore, Mr Spencer, though even they may be a bit after your time?


By Mr Woods do you mean the IT teacher. He left a few years back. Mr Spencer was head of Quarry Wing and an English teacher if I recall and Mr Moore was a Geography teacher. I think both of them are still there. So is Mr Thrasher if you remember him.

Heysham is run by the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company. :bleh:
Not anymore! I cant believe it. This morning you posted that message, and tonights Evening Post says that Manchester based Peel Holdings are taking over it!

By Mr Woods do you mean the IT teacher. He left a few years back. Mr Spencer was head of Quarry Wing and an English teacher if I recall and Mr Moore was a Geography teacher. I think both of them are still there. So is Mr Thrasher if you remember him.

Didnt know Woodsy had left.

Yes I remember Thrasher, Stoke fan, nice fella.

Mr Moore was a legend.

There are a few projects in this country that are on budget and on schedule.
Look at Merseytram!

I totally agree but none nowhere near as bad as the Euro Fighter.

What's it like in Preston Accy? I mean what's it really like?

Is it as good as you make out or is it as bad as everybody else makes out?

The Brother-in-Law and his mate from Leeds went to Preston last year. They were that disappointed with it, they went home after nearly an hour.

However, I was in Preston last March at the Guild Hall for the Masters Badminton. (Parked in the marvellous bus station multi story ;) ) I took the daughter and we went early to have a MacDonalds and had a quick walk around one of the shopping centres. I must admit, I was impressed at the amount of shops and retail brands for a small city.

Yep :)

The buildings in the distance are the docks. The hills in the distance is the Forest of Bowland
http://img244.echo.cx/img244/461/pic51gz.jpg

Accy, the Forest/Trough of Bowland is a beautiful place. I go missing for hours on my bike out that way. I'm sure my mrs thinks I'm up to no good.

I posted some pictures overlooking the Trough of Bowland after Paul had posted some of the parks in the Liverpool's Hidden Gems thread.

So did I!!!! it was called West Derby Tech when I went, Mr. Casson (I think) was the headmaster back then and Mr. Oldfield, our form teacher, also taught geography, some years ago!!!

Blessed Ambrose Barlow was the catholic school next door.

You'll never guess who the Headmaster was at my old Primary School? MIKE STORY - :bash:

I can't remember if he was headmaster when I was there, but he was when my sister went later on.

Liverpool Tourist industry is based mainly (not all) On the beatles.
My generation (haha Makes u sound old) Does not listen to the Beatles
there is only 1 person who likes the beatles and he wears transition lenes

Liverpool Tourist industry is based mainly (not all) On the beatles.
My generation (haha Makes u sound old) Does not listen to the Beatles
there is only 1 person who likes the beatles and he wears transition lenes

I suppose for foreign tourists this is part true, but we do have other attractions

1) Football clubs
2) Museums/galleries
3) Historical links due to emigration (growing)
3) Mersey river festival
4) Grand National
5) Golf Tournaments
6) Night club scene
7) Philharmonic
8) Great waterfront
9) Growing Stanley dock market
10) Summer POP's (i didn't mention The B£@¬!£s once)


coming soon
------------
1) Kings dock arena/conference centre
2) Cruise Liner stage (terminal hopefully)
3) Upgraded shopping/leisure area
4) Leeds Liverpool canal link
5) Capital of culture 2008 and lead upto

These are just some of the ones i can think of. We could do with more, especially a comedy festival. But if tourists want to come because of the beatles, then we should accommodate them, like the "Hard days night Hotel" near Matthew St which is being started now.

Liverpool Tourist industry is based mainly (not all) On the beatles.
My generation (haha Makes u sound old) Does not listen to the Beatles
there is only 1 person who likes the beatles and he wears transition lenes

I think Juxtapol mentions all of the big non-Beatles tourist attractions. I might add the ferry- I think this is fairly well known and used by tourists, possibly helped by the 'ferry across the Mersey' song.

Odysea, I am only 7 years older than you- But know a lot of people my age who are big Beatles fans. I have every album. A lot of people (regardless of age) who like Rock/RocknRoll/60s&70s in general, like the Beatles. Many philistines who listen to dance, trance, rap, most pop and classical music (regardless of age) will probably 'tend' not to like The Beatles (although many like them regardless of their favoured genre.) I think the Beatles tourist industry has a long life left in it yet. Many of the foreign tourists who visit because of the Beatles will be from the younger generations.

...I think the Beatles tourist industry has a long life left in it yet. Many of the foreign tourists who visit because of the Beatles will be from the younger generations...

I agree Blabb, I went to the Albert Dock for a walk a few months back - most of the people doing the Beatles Museum Tour where either Japanese or Spanish tourists with an age range of about 16 - 25.

There's plenty of life left in Beatletourism. Just look at the Beatles festival - its getting bigger every year as more people learn about it.

Odysea, I am only 7 years older than you- But know a lot of people my age who are big Beatles fans. I have every album. A lot of people (regardless of age) who like Rock/RocknRoll/60s&70s in general, like the Beatles.

Me and some of my friends also like the Beatles very much. I don't think the fruits of their work will ever entirely go away, like Shakesphere's plays if you like.

Took my rellies to Liverpool. Arrived Tuesday 2.30pm. Checked in and went straight out sightseeing. Couldn't get to all the places suggested by you all, but got to the following:
Chinatown
Pier Head
Wm Brown St (night)
Mathew St area
Proddy Cathedral
Paddy's Wigwam
Seacombe

I'll post a few pics over the next few days, taken whilst with my rellies so you can see what they saw.

To say they were blown away would be an understatement. First impressions were the buildings and how clean the city was! Yes folks, first my niece who's Singapore based commented on this last year, now my sister in law and her hubby (HK and Manila, Phil. based) say the same. I suppose it is cleaner???

Jaw dropping moments for them were entering the two cathedrals and Seacombe to view the Liverpool waterfront. Driving to Seacombe was a laugh. I never told them they were going under the Mersey. They thought it was a rather long subway. Drove in to the Seacombe Car Park and they went fucking mental when they looked across the Mersey! This is the effect our waterfront has on our first time visitors.

(sentimental bollocks warning alert!)
Out of the blue, my sister-in-law started sobbing. Asked her why and she told me that it just dawned on her that I sent her a link last year of a pic of my dear departed mum taken not far from where we standing.

Ahhhhhh! :) (http://www.**************************/mum)

Moysey must've got his cardigan from the same place! :)

Shame your mum won't see the waterfront completed Dave. Stupid flippant things like that always used to get to me. I remember in 1988 watching the Olympics with my granddad, and him saying he couldn't wait until the next one. He died the following year. I remember feeling really guilty watcing the games in Barcelona with him not there, not that he'd really give a shit mind...

i too had a similar experience my cousin from dublin was over, he was blown away by the albert dock which was surprisingly busy on a tuesday night. I was blown away by the bill in the resteraunt.

We had a great night out and a good stroll around the city.

he only had positive things to say... especially about angels paradise but suppose thats another thread altogether!!

This link is worth checking out (but some details need updating with some of the latest information but still has plenty of ideas.)

http://www.seeliverpool.com/

Some where to eat perhaps .....

http://www.myliverpool.org/liverpool/restaurants-list-chinese.htm

or official sites such as .....

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/

http://visitliverpool.com/

:) :) :) :) :)

:cheers:

Buzzcocks fall in love with Mathew Street Festival
Punk icons Buzzcocks are to play at Europe's biggest free city centre music festival.

The Manchester legends will put aside regional rivalry to perform at Liverpool's Mathew Street Festival, which is organised by the Liverpool Culture Company and attracts more than 300,000 people each year.

They will join The Stranglers on the Pier Head main stage on Sunday, August 28 at the three-day August Bank Holiday Festival.

The band, famous for hits such as ''Ever Fallen In Love,'' are just finishing recording their ninth album ''flat-pack philosophy'' which will be out in early 2006.

Pete Shelley, lead singer of Buzzcocks, said they were looking forward to their gig by the Mersey.

He said: ''When you get invited to play live to thousands of people in Liverpool - there's only one answer. A big yes - it's Liverpool! Ever since Eric's in Mathew Street we've loved playing in the city and have had some great gigs there - including one of our last of the 20th century. There's a big appetite for music in Liverpool which really makes for a great crowd and a cracking atmosphere.''

Pete added that playing at the Mathew Street Festival, which began as a celebration of Beatles music, would have extra special meaning for him.

The 50-year-old who grew up In Leigh, 22 miles from Liverpool, added: ''Sergeant Pepper was my first album and Hey Jude - my first single - was the reason I picked up a guitar. In fact I bought that before I had a record player. I used to just sit there looking at it! And then I started to learn music using the easy-to-play Beatles books. I remember meeting George Harrison in the late 70's and was reduced to jelly. I'll have a few spine tingles on Sunday. It should make for a great set.''

The Liverpool Culture Company has revolutionised the festival, which now showcases music from Abba to Zappa and Blues to Jazz, by signing named bands for the first time in the event' 13-year history.

The aim is to reflect the fact that Mathew Street did not just create the Merseybeat sound via The Cavern in the 60s but was hugely influential in the 70s, 80s and 90s. The street's other superclub, Eric's, nurtured Liverpool bands such as Echo and The Bunnymen, Wah! Heat, Big in Japan, OMD, The Teardrop Explodes and hosted seminal gigs from The Clash to Kraftwerk. That period attracted musicians from Courtney Love and the founders of The KLF to the city's third superclub, Cream, and so influencing and shaping today's music scene.

The Culture Company has also signed critically-acclaimed Merseyside band Amsterdam to perform their only festival date this summer on the Bank Holiday Monday, on the Pier Head new bands stage, in front of an expected crowd of 20,000.

The 2005 Festival will also be the biggest yet, with an extra two new outdoor stages. The Pier Head, which will host live music on all three days, gains the new bands stage.

Bank Holiday Monday, August 29, will see the addition of a sixth stage in Birkenhead as Wirral joins the festival for the very first time.

The makeover is part of plans to develop the FREE festival into a major highlight for 2008, when the city stages European Capital of Culture.

More household names are to be announced by the Liverpool Culture Company in the coming weeks.

And, as part of the festival's biggest ever shake-up, the Culture Company will be introducing a host of new cover bands who have never played the festival.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council's executive member for culture, said: ''This year's festival is shaping up to the best ever. Sunday's line-up is looking fantastic. Buzzcocks is a great addition and their music never fails to get crowds going.

''This year the city has a festival is one of the best and most varied in the UK. Music fans are in for a treat throughout the whole weekend - and there's a few more big names still to be announced before then.''

Joining The Stranglers, Buzzcocks and Amsterdam will be a mammoth 150 tribute bands from 20 countries, from afar as Brazil and Japan, all performing live on the six outdoor stages and at more than 40 indoor venues.

Professor Drummond Bone, chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''Liverpool is known the world over for the diversity of its music and for the amazing crowds. The Mathew Street Festival is the perfect vehicle to show why we are the World Capital of Pop and what Capital of Culture can do to enhance the city's cultural offer.''

Professor Drummond Bone, chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company,

If only he was called Professor Drummond Bass.

I read on Downtown the other day that sucessful 24 hour cities don't just have late bars but a variety of things to do that stimulate the evening economy. Late night cinemas are a step in the right direction. I like going the pub in the evening but as a city and a nation we need to turn our mentality away from seeing this as the only option.

Preston boy, you really do come across as a sad little child. "My cities better than yours because we have a fancy bus station blah blah blah". Grow up lad.

The LFC museum has been Liverpool's top tourist destination this summer. It had more visitors in June and July than the Beatles experience. I've got the numbers upstairs but I can't move to get them as I have a cat on my knee and I can't disturb him :)

If only he was called Professor Drummond Bass.

Drum`n`bass

:hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

Yeah, I believe his assistant is Dr Countryun Weston.









I'll get my coat. :runaway:

Not possibly related to `Nos Moking?`

:)

Yeah, I believe his assistant is Dr Countryun Weston.

Yeah he's a mate of hugh jarse...

And Norma Stits is his next door neighbour

Betty Swollocks, lives next door to those two scottish gentlemen who live together, Ben Doone and Phill McCraken.

Yes, You have been watching Ben Dover and Craven Moorhead porn productions.

http://www.british-publishing.com/Pages/Liverpool2004/48hours.html

48 hours in liverpool

Just visiting? Liverpool's traditional tourist trail has become well-known worldwide, with the Pier Head, the Albert Dock and the Beatles' old haunts being favourite stop-off points.

However Liverpool is fast acquiring a funkier edge. And our happening night-life is also giving us a reputation as a party city and a cool place for a weekend away.

Even before Capital of Culture was a gleam in
the Liver Bird's eye, Liverpool's nightlife was becoming more sophisticated, more cosmopolitan and more diverse. The big win is only injecting yet more bubble into our party champagne, with new bars, restaurants and hotels opening all the time...and more visitors picking up on the buzz and helping us celebrate.

In particular, Liverpool is rapidly catching Dublin up as the ideal venue for a marvellous mini-break, offering a five star combination of culture, colour and cuisine.

And our ever-growing checklist of wine-bars and clubs, coupled with our thirst for new music and our great student culture is ticking all the boxes for stag weekends, hen nights...anyone whose basic belief is that life is for partying! As well as being Britain's most popular destination for day-trippers, tourism generally has risen by 5 per cent in the last year or so and there has been a 25 per cent increase in the use of our tourist information centres. Four of our museums – the Conservation Centre, the Museum of Liverpool Life, the Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool –
have witnessed the biggest increase in visits, beating off national competition from larger rival attractions including Legoland Windsor and London Zoo!
Add to this the undimmed interest in the Beatles, the exhilarating waterfront vista and the traditional ferry 'cross the Mersey, and the mounting anticipation over Capital of Culture 2008 and it comes as no surprise that more and more bars and cafes are opening up to cope with the influx!

So where are the hot new places to go? Which of the traditional establishments still cuts it in the face of mounting competition? We take a look at food, drink, dancing and where to rest your head – and then go on a whistlestop tour of some of our most distinctive leisure attractions.

not just a bowl of scouse...
Many tourists rightly enjoy the hearty meat and potato stew – traditionally served with red cabbage – which is Liverpool's native dish!

Scouse is unashamedly at the basic end of the designer eating spectrum, but these days Liverpool can offer foodies a dizzying range of menu choices, from casual cafes through ethnic eateries to the kind of higher price restaurants where the food almost forms part of the decor!

You might expect a port like Liverpool, pervaded by inter-continental influences, to have a wide variety of different cuisines. And you would not be wrong!

Here it's not just a case of Indian or Chinese, Italian or French, fast food or traditional English. Liverpool can also give you Greek, Mexican, Thai, American, Spanish, Japanese – with the new Sapporo Teppanyaki – and even Chilean!

The Valparaiso on Hardman Street is a long-established and invitingly friendly South American restaurant where reading the menu alone will fire you with Latin longings.

And where else but Liverpool could you find the St. Petersburg – England's only Russian restaurant outside London, where you can sample borscht, blinis and plenty of glacier-cold vodka! The St. Petersburg, on York Street, is an experience in itself, complete with decor which includes a groaning chandelier and a suit of armour – and a much-used dance floor where you can test your post-vodka balance in true Cossack style!

If Chinese is your bag, the existence of Chinatown means you are spoilt for choice, but among the best is the Yuet Ben on Upper Duke Street, which has views of the Chinese arch and is apparently the only Pekinese restaurant in Liverpool. The Tai Pan, on the Mersey waterfront, is also justifiably popular and even incorporates a Chinese supermarket so you can buy the ingredients for home attempts to emulate the menu!

The Orchid Spring on Paradise Street is the city centre's only Thai restaurant and delicious food and waiting staff in national dress have contributed to its great popularity.

La Tasca (Queens Square) and La Cantina (Temple Court) are bright and breezy Spanish-style establishments where the vibe is definitely holiday, and tapas, paella and sangria abound.

Tequila slamming is achievable at El Macho, the atmospheric Mexican on Hope Street, or – much newer on the scene – The Tavern Co in Queens Square, which also has an out-of-town branch on Smithdown Road.

Lovers of vino, pasta, pizza and other things Italian should be pointed towards the Casa Italia on Stanley Street with its pseudo-Romanesque pillars and portico, the Villa Romana on Wood Street which could be located on a Florentine side street or Azzurro – a European interloper in Chinatown – the Berry Street restaurant, which is bustling and full of tantalising aromas.

Francophiles are advised to head out to cosmopolitan Lark Lane and the long-established L'Alouette or to Church Road in Wavertree, where The Left Bank will consolidate those visions of striped jerseys, berets and potent cigarettes. While belly-dancing and plate-smashing are de rigeur at the Christakis Taverna in York Street – so Greek that you expect Zorba himself to walk in!

A taster of some of Liverpool's most noteworthy eat-out haunts would not be complete without a mention for the award winning 60 Hope Street, where an upstairs/downstairs set-up differentiates restaurant and bistro choices (and prices!) and where fabulous food compensates for the plainness of the address! If you don't mind footing a more expensive bill, there is also the swanky Pan American Club at the Albert Dock or Simply Heathcote's on The Strand (which does some value deals, too).

Colin's Bridewell on Campbell Square, near Duke Street, has quirkiness in its favour as well as delicious food, as it is located in an old police station, complete with cells. The Fleet Street area is home to Bluu, the cutting edge bar/club/restaurant and The Tea Factory, where creative food is served in the cool mezzanine restaurant over the bar.

And then there are the two stalwarts of Hope Street, the eternally popular and consistently good Everyman Bistro, The Other Place Bistro and Lower Place, ideal for concert-goers as it is situated in the basement of the Philharmonic Hall.

drinking from the pool of life
Whether you prefer to unwind in an unpretentious real ale pub or show off your slinky style in a bar frequented by beautiful people, Liverpool can give you the bevvying backdrop you need.

Traditionalists should initially make for one of the famous heritage pubs, such as the Philharmonic, the Grapes in Mathew Street, Ye Cracke, The Pilgrim or Dr Duncan's.

With its swirling rococo interiors, snugs named after Chopin and Liszt and the legendary gents' urinals (Britain's only listed lavatory), the Phil is rightly on the tourist agenda even for non-drinkers.

No self-respecting Beatles buff should miss out on the opportunity to drink in the bar frequented by the Fab Four during the Cavern years. The Grapes has recently undergone a refurb, but its basic structure remains the same as when John, Paul and co supped there – as the photos on the wall prove!

A little further out of town, Ye Cracke in the shadow of the Anglican Cathedral, is well loved by the bohemian set. Its slightly shabby hippy feel adds to its existentialist character and makes it entirely credible that John and Cynthia Lennon used it as their local in the 60s.

Dr Duncan's is fully accredited by real ale aficionados and has a name which raises a toast to Britain's first Public Health Officer!

Beer purists should also find time to knock back a pint or two in The Dispensary on Renshaw Street, a showcase for the products of the local Cains brewery. The Brewery – formerly The Black Horse and Rainbow – on Berry Street, like The Dispensary, has brewery tours as an optional extra and also stages philosophy evenings to help oil the thought processes!
Other pubs where the emphasis is still on substance over style include Flanagan's Apple in Mathew Street (one of Liverpool's most well-patronised Irish pubs), The Slaughterhouse on Fenwick Street, which claims to be Liverpool's oldest pub, The Cambridge in Mulberry Street, in the heart of University land and The Head of Steam, a group of bars in the former North Western hotel adjoining Lime Street station.

Turning to the more chic end of the drinking scene, young pretenders are continually arriving on the scene, challenging the supremacy of Liverpool's customary repositories of cool such as the Blue and Baby Blue, The Living Room, the Newz Bar and Baa Bar (known for its novelty Stella vending machine).

Two of the latest style bars in which to be seen are The Place in Victoria Street (owned by former Liverpool footballer John Aldridge) and The Courtyard, off Dale Street.

If you are young – or simply think you are! – other bars to check out include the Loft and Cellar in North John Street, with an upstairs dancefloor, Honey Harmony in Queen Square featuring noteworthy cocktails and a jazz pianist, the class-conscious Pacific Bar and Grill in Temple Street or 3345 in Parr Street, which is THE venue for indie music fans because of its proximity to the recording studios where bands like Coldplay have cut tracks.

Hannah's Bar in Leece Street is one to head for in summer with sought after seats outside. The Magnet in Hardman Street is unashamedly kitsch and up-front in the Stateside idiom with a very active dance-floor. While in the vanguard of further bars which will inevitably set up in the burgeoning RopeWalks area is the Vue Bar and Grill, a 'local' for the urban loft-living set.



cream substitutes...
The Creamfields festival is still flourishing over August bank holiday even though Cream itself is no longer a club venue. And there is a now a Baby Cream bar on the Albert Dock. There are still plenty of places to play out late into the night...

Le Bateau, Society, Garlands and the newly re-opened Heebie Jeebies provide plenty of vibe for determined clubbers. Whether your preferred groove is house and garage, techno, hip-hop, metal, motown, sixties, indie or pop, there's usually somewhere to go to savour the right kind of sound atmosphere.

Society in Duke Street has to some extent filled the Cream gap, with a bangin' agenda of happy house music, complete with glitter balls. Liquidation at Le Bateau is one of the most enduring club triumphs in Liverpool with 60s stuff happening upstairs and harder edged more contemporary beats at street level. Loud is the watchword at The Krazy House on Wood Street, where the mood is most decidedly inclining towards rock and punk.

The Masque on Seel Street has reanimated an old theatre with the rhythm of breakbeats and hip hop. Former Cream DJ Yousef has a monthly spot here and the Chibuku Shake Shake nights (also at the Lemon Lounge) have netted awards and had the roof rockin'.

Further along Seel Street, Zanzibar is an underground club, spiced up with the tinge of menace. It's an old-style basic club without one minimalist pretension but the atmosphere, particularly at the Jiggery Pokery nights, amply makes up for the lack of chrome and glass.

The Nation on Wolstenholme Square – former home to Cream – hosts Bugged Out! monthly, with top names in Techno delivering dance beats to thousands. Meanwhile the Medication nights at the Nation are geared up for a predominantly student crowd. Finally, no overview of clubland Liverpool would be complete without alluding to Garlands. The phrase 'camp as Christmas' was coined for this legendary night, now to be found at The State on Dale Street.

Liverpool has a thriving gay scene which has kept pace with the city’s fabulous renaissance. The main focus is around Stanley Street and Cumberland Street, where the bars are out and proud. New venues include Addiction, Superstar Boudoir, Navy Bar and End. They complement the established favourites – the Lisbon, Curzon, Paco’s and The Masquerade – and between them they provide something for everyone: everything from a quiet drink to quintessential drag. There is also the sophisticated Society on Duke Street and the must-do, once a month Kookoo at the Masque on Seel Street, voted best club night in the UK.

at the end of the day
You need somewhere to sleep, which is comfortable, central and conducive to your budget…And Liverpool has an increasingly large selection of places to stay to cater for the needs of all-comers from the backpacker to the bigshot business person.

At the plusher end of the market, there are hotels like the two Marriotts – Art Deco style at Speke aerodrome or 21st century purpose-built on Queens Square, complete with gym and pool. The Crowne Plaza with its ideal waterfront location, the Thistle and the Holiday Inn add to the roll-call of premier league hotels. Hot off the press are the Boutique Hotel on Hope Street, which looks set to be a home-from-home for the fashionistas and the Radisson Hotel, part of the Beetham Plaza complex.

The Ibis, the Campanile, the Travel Inn, Travelodge and Holiday Inn Express, are all centrally located, ideal for being amongst the action but not at 4 star prices. One of the best budget options is the International Inn in South Hunter Street, off Hardman Street, a backpacking style establishment which has won a Mersey Tourism award for good service. Dorm beds cost from £15 and the price includes a laundry, TV and games room and unlimited supplies of tea, coffee and toast.

Another popular cheapo place to rest the weary head is the Embassie hostel on Falkner Square, though a little further away from the main drag. Budget hotels (in the £20–£30 bracket) include Formula One in Wapping and the Alicia Hotel in Aigburth Drive, which is out of town but close to leafy Sefton Park.

a hard day’s sight-seeing
Beatle-worship is still a major strand of the Liverpool tourist scene and relevant sights include Cavern Walks and the Cavern Club, the Beatles Gallery and Shop, the From Me To You store, the Beatles Story exhibition, Penny Lane, Strawberry Field and the respective homes of John and Paul at Menlove Avenue and Forthlin Road.

Fans of the Fab Four can do a Magical Mystery Tour on a special bus which takes in all these and more – including the Beatle – related statues dotted around the city – or undertake a more private and personal pilgrimage.

But at the end of the long and winding road, much of Liverpool still remains untouched. Of course, no self-respecting tourist can earn their stripes without gazing up at our heraldic Liver Birds, taking a walk along the waterfront – and preferably hopping onto one of the famous ferryboats to see the awesome cityscape from the Wirral side of the Mersey. We have a clutch of world-class museums and galleries.

You don’t have to be a football fan to appreciate a tour of Anfield or Goodison, or, if you are unbiased, both! And neither do you have to be especially religious to appreciate the architectural contrasts and the hushed spiritual atmosphere of our two Cathedrals, Anglican and Catholic. The Albert Dock is still a vital element of the day-tripper’s timetable, with the chance to eat, drink, shop and gallery-go all within the one area. The Dock is also the place to catch the Liverpool Duck Tour, with the novelty of being transported by a vehicle which covers land and water equally readily.

For a very different kind of tourist experience, try going underground – without necessarily being subversive! The Williamson tunnels, dug out as a labour of love by Joseph Williamson – the ‘Mole’ of Edge Hill – are now open to the public and can be accessed from Smithdown Road. Not to be tried by the claustrophobic!

With music and museums, football and the ferries, nostalgia and new ventures, and the warmest welcome in Britain (Liverpool was voted UK’s Friendliest City) even before 2008 the visitor to Liverpool is guaranteed a Capital time.

And Norma Stits is his next door neighbour

Her sister SU ZUKY has a motor bike :)

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/business/news/tm_objectid=16237743%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26headline=albert%2ddock%2ds%2dstyle%2dbars%2dsold%2doff%2dfor%2d%2d3m-name_page.html

Albert Dock's style bars sold off for £3m Oct 12 2005

By Tony McDonough, Daily Post

THREE of Liverpool's trendiest bars have changed hands in a deal believed to be worth more than £3m.

The Pan American Club, Blue and Baby Blue - all at the Albert Dock - have been bought by Lancashire-based JI Entertainment, founded by Peter Church.

All three bar/restaurants are popular with celebrities and Baby Blue is also home to the successful comedy club Laughterhouse.

The Lyceum Group has decided to sell the bars to concentrate on its other recently-opened Liverpool bar/restaurants, Alma De Cuba, Baby Cream and Korova.

Mr Church, the former chief executive of Preston North End Football Club, was behind the Mood cafe bar chain which operates eight bars across the North West, including Liverpool.

He has formed JI with £14.4m backing from private equity firm Primary Capital, Singer & Friedlander and Coors Brewers.

The transaction includes five other venues in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Swansea.

The Liverpool office of law firm DLA Piper and a team from KPMG were key advisers in the management buy-in, acting for JI.

Mr Church said: "We are absolutely delighted to have completed and had the advantage of Primary's involvement throughout the process. They have bought into the potential of this portfolio and the vision of the team."

Another JI director Colin Stuart told the Daily Post yesterday the Blue brand would be extended to other parts of the UK with a new outlet also planned for Mersey-side. The Pan American name would also remain.

He said: "What we have acquired in Liverpool are three strong businesses that are all popular destinations serving quality food.

"We plan to open around two or three outlets a year under the Blue brand and we are currently looking at another site in the Merseyside area."

Primary Capital is an independent private equity firm, founded in 1995, which invests in middle-market management buy-outs and buy-ins in the UK and/or continental Europe.

Previous UK investments in consumer markets include YO! Sushi, Coffee Nation, The Works, British Pepper & Spice, Thompson & Morgan, and Amber Travel.

Lyceum owner and founder Rob Guttman will use the cash from the sale of the the bars to expand his business empire.

As well as the three remaining city centre bar/restaurants Mr Guttman is believed to be interested in other parts of the leisure sector, possibly hotels.

He began his bar business in 1993 when he opened the Lyceum Cafe Bar in Bold Street. He sold that venue in 1997 and it became the Life Cafe and is now known as Prohibition.

In 1998 he opened the Blue Bar in the Albert Dock, one of the first of the so-called upmarket trendy venues to open in the city.

Private members club Baby Blue was opened nearby in 1999 followed by the Pan American Club in 2001.

In December 2003 Baby Cream was launched and this year has seen the opening of Alma De Cuba in Seel Street and Korova in Fleet Street.

Alma De Cuba, located in the former St Peter's Church, was opened with a special launch night at the end of September featuring entertainment and celebrity guests. One Catholic grandmother staged a lone protest out-side the venue. She was angry that a former church should be turned into a bar.

Mr Guttman was last night unavailable for comment. David Cadwallader, the partner who led the team at DLA Piper, said: "It was a challenging transaction, involving the simultaneous acquisitions of two businesses at opposite ends of the country.

"I think this is an example of the high quality investment opportunities in the region and we wish JI Entertainment every success with its exciting plans."

tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk