First Impresssions (sort of )

[LABlue]

Just got back to Liverpool last night after 2 years away.

Will be driving he missus nuts looking at developments for the next 10 days !!

In the first 10 hours heres my first impresssions:-

1) Edge Lane doesnt get any prettier does it ?
2) The Albany in Old Hall St where we are staying is great
3) Wheres all the downtown chippies ?- had to walk to Central Station for me tea last night
4) The city is one huge building site

Will try and get some good photies and post them when I get back to the US at month end

In the meantime we are all off to climb the Cathedral

cyas later

[Tony Sebo]

Hope you enjoy this latest visit LA.
It will be good to get an insiders 'objective' thoughts on what is going on, as well as the quality of what is going on.... you MUST take a walk down to the Princes Dock.

[Scarecrow]

3) Wheres all the downtown chippies ?- had to walk to Central Station for me tea last night

There's a kebab shop on Dale Street that might do chips, but I think thats it. Actually, I think there's one at Marybone, on Tithebarn.

[Wormella]

He's right - the kebab shop on dale street is surprisingly good, there's another chippy on victoria street and the marybone chippy chinese next to the lamb banana.

The Albany is lovely - lucky thing. I have to be content with gawping at it as I go buy stuff from sainsburys

[Pietari]

Welcome LA(r)Blue and Family,

I would imagine that most local resturants would do a `Chips` takeout / takeway for you if asked (possibly Liverpool Downtown is now getting too posh for `Chips/Rice & Curry Sauce` - however there is also a `Fish & Chips` on Hardman Street and around the corner on `Berry Street - China Town`)

However you don`t want to walk that far so here are some alternative options for additional local eating.

The kids might eat free as there is a schools summer holiday promotion on.
http://www.heathcotes.co.uk/simply/l...estaurant_id=2

`Heathcotes` on `Beetham Plazza` The Strand (ie, by the bucket fountain - behind `India Buildings, Water Street.)
Their `Fish and Chips` is apparently superb ......with `mushy peas`

Liverpool
Situated on Beetham Plaza, this spectacular glass and granite building symbolises Liverpool’s successful capital of culture award for 2008.

Ideally located for a quick lunch, when you don’t feel like cooking in the evening or want to enjoy a classic Sunday lunch with friends and family. The accomplished British cooking of Phillip Sinclair and warm welcome from Sarah Mckercher create a friendly, bustling atmosphere.

In 2004 the restaurant was awarded the Bib Gourmand, a Michelin Guide rating, awarded to restaurants who offer carefully prepared yet moderately priced food. The restaurant has retained the Bib Gourmand award in 2005 and 2006.

The Also in the same year the restaurant was awarded the ‘Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year’. Terry Durack, Restaurant Critic of the Year', The Independent, "Paul Heathcote's modern Liverpool outpost really does have something for everyone".

In October 2005, Simply Heathcotes, Liverpool, was voted by the Independent as one of the top 50 gourmet restaurants in the UK. Carol Wilson from the panel of Independent food writers, " Simply Heathcotes has a mouthwatering menu of tasty British dishes, thoughtfully prepared".

Also in October 2005, as part of the Liverpool Food an Drink Festival, Simply Heathcotes was awarded the title of 'Best Restaurant'. An award voted for by the people of Liverpool.

or,

http://www.liverpoolcitywise.co.uk/mag/rest.htm
Bellapais Cyprus Taverna
Lombard Chambers
Bixteth Street
Liverpool
L3 95G
Tel: +44 (0)151 236 1881

The Bellapais Cyprus Taverna has long enjoyed a reputation as a first class place to dine. Its truly authentic Greek menu is packed with tastes that will have you packing your bags and jetting off to the Aegean before you can say efharisto. The menu is full of wonderfully enticing dishes. An extensive choice of appetisers- leads nicely into the main menu which offers dishes that will tempt the most discerning of palates.
etc (It was excellent when it was located on Bold Street.....)

Try,
http://visitliverpool.com/
for other useful info and links.

`Uncle Sams` and `Ceasaras Palace` on Renshaw Street are very popular and I think both are licenced and there is a new American themed dinner on Bold Street.

For a more traditional `pint` and `food` (not sure about the kidz)

However don`t forget to visit `Rigbys` Pub on Dale Street and `Ma Boyles` behind `Tower Buildings` overlooking `Our Lady & St Nichs Gardens`.....
http://www.maboyles.com/

[Pietari]

LA(r)Blue,

Try this link etc,

http://www.mytravelguide.com/attract..._Building.html

Royal Liver BuildingRoyal Liver Assurance, Pier Head, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 151 236 2748

This grand landmark proudly stands at the Pier Head, adjacent to the Mersey Ferries entrance. Opened in 1911, it is still the head office for the Royal Liver Friendly Society and home to the well-loved Liver Birds that loom high above the city streets. The birds - a mythical interpretation of the cormorant - are eighteen foot high and made of copper. A local legend says that the city would be submerged under water if the birds ever flew away, oh yes and Elvis is still alive. The building is also distinguished by two towers adorned with the largest public striking clocks in Britain. Tours can be arranged by contacting the building manager. Admission: free . Tours are by appointment only

Port of Liverpool Building:You can also just walk into the `Port of Liverpool Building`, wander a bit and look dumb and say `Can you tell me about this wonderful building?` if challenged by the desk, I`ve always found them very helpful and the POL will be open as a tourist attraction by 2008 in any case. I find the best entrance to use is the one on the side of the `Cunard Buildings` next to `The Mersey Tunnels` building and then exit on the front onto the Pier Head.

The POL also featured in the film `Chariots of Fire` as the Paris Embassey,

as did Liverpool Town Hall,

Again you can act dumb and just walk in and just ask to stand on the steps of the staircase in order to see the wonderful dome.

Tours may also now be available for a fee, see,
http://www.mytravelguide.com/attract...Town_Hall.html

Liverpool Town HallHigh Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 151 707 2391

Known as the "Jewel in Liverpool's Crown", the Town Hall is a Grade 1 listed building situated in one of seven remaining medieval streets. Originally built between 1748-1755, it was subsequently gutted by fire in 1795. During the reconstruction seven years later, the grand dome was added and crowned with a fifteen-foot statue of Britannia. The hall today is filled with historical works of art and boasts a grand staircase, hall of remembrance, magnificent crystal chandeliers, antique furniture and ornate silverware. Although still a working building, guided tours are available throughout the week. Admission: adults #9.50, concession #7.50.

Don`t however forget to Visit `India Buildings - Holt Arcade` and the `Martins Bank Building` (Banking Hall) for Free.....

As is the official planning model of the `City of Liverpool` in the `Exchange` (Daily Post and Echo) Old Hall Street, (go up the escalaters to the first floor level) which is well worth a look for the kiddie winks and it is also free.

[Pietari]

LA(r)Blue,

If you are looking for a more personalised tour anywhere I can recommend `Hilary Oxlade` (Someone I knew for about ten years) I don`t know the current costs but I`ll also PM you as Hilary will remember me.

http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/l...d_guided_tours

Hilary Oxlade
[t] 0151 931 3075
[m] 07803 206 599
[e] hilary@liverpooltours.freeserve.co.uk

I know Hilary also provided insured transport (minibus or people carrier) etc and really she is one of the best and most professional guides I`ve ever known.

You could do worse than give her a call if you had any particular visit in mind.

Then of course there is also the SSC Liverpool Forum, here to help.

Enjoy your holiday.

[westisbest]

bad thing about the cathedral is, everythin is so small from there. the business district is tiny from there

[Pietari]

Originally Posted by westisbest

bad thing about the cathedral is, everythin is so small from there. the business district is tiny from there

Yeah but yeah but not if you go on a free `Royal Liver Buildings` Tour......

[Pietari]

http://www.liverpoolworldheritage.com/castlestreet.asp

The Albany Building, Old Hall Street

1856

Grade II*

The Albany was built as speculative offices by Richard Naylor, a wealthy banker and Liverpool philanthropist, and designed by J.K. Colling. It combines three storeys of cellular offices with basement shops and warehousing. Adopting the form of an Italian palazzo, with a central courtyard, in style it is free Renaissance. But it is given special distinction by highly individual ornamentation based on Colling's passion for naturalistic plant forms and foliated decoration. Natural light is admitted to the building via top-lit glazed corridors. The building was much used by cotton brokers for whom the courtyard served as a meeting place, whilst the quality of light in the offices provided good conditions for the examination of cotton samples.

etc,

Was the building not financed by a win on the Grand National.....

anyway,
http://members.ispwest.com/ronsmith/.../buildings.htm
Albany Building Built in 1856 for a wealthy banker, Richard Naylor and situated in Old Hall Street. It was originally used as a meeting place for Cotton Brokers. The architect was J K Colling who went on to design the National Portrait Gallery in London's Trafalgar Square.

http://www.investmerseyside.com/news.asp?id=44
Architectural jewel: Liverpool's Grade II listed Albany Building in the city centre's financial district has re-opened following the first phase of a £24million refurbishment. The Albany Building Ltd is transforming the formerly derelict offices into more than 120 luxury apartments, and will also house a new restaurant and bar.

and now famous for LA(r)Blue.....

Plus,

"When Liverpool went Dixie".....

The offices in Rumford Place had a direct connection to the Confederates. George Trenholm & Charles Prioleau who handled their financial affairs worked from there.

The buildings today have been given Confederate linked names:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/local...iverpool.shtml

The last offical Confederate Flag was lowered in Liverpool on 6 November 1865 when CSS Shenandoah, captained by Lieutenant Waddell, arrived in the Mersey. He lowered the flag and his ship was ultimately turned over to American authorities.

President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1865 just days after the surrender of the Confederates. Booth's father, Junius Booth, a Shakespearean actor, came from Liverpool.

http://www.redstarline.org.uk/civil_...liverpool.html
A branch of the Charleston cotton firm John Fraser & Co., Fraser, Trenholm & Company had its offices at number 10 Rumford Place in Liverpool's city centre. Fraser, Trenholm & Co. had almost unlimited credit in Europe and the South used this facility to fund its war effort. George A. Trenholm, was the Confederate Secretary of the Treasury. These offices became known as the Confederate Embassy in Liverpool. The Confederacy had trouble paying its bills during the war and was reliant on private companies like Fraser, Trenholm to loan money and to show that the blockade of the South could be beaten by blockade runners. As shipping brokers Fraser Trenholm bought and hired ships and the cargoes to go with them to trade between Liverpool and the South. Edward Haigh was the company's cotton broker.

http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColC...OOL.intro.html
The 1791 Backdated Washington Liverpool Halfpenny (1793): Introduction,

Interestingly, almost all examples of the Washington Liverpool Halfpenny show some wear, suggesting they were in circulation rather than in collector cabinets. Possibly these items were produced for the collector market but never sold and were therefore put into circulation as a halfpenny. The Washington Liverpool Halfpenny token did not circulate in America, almost all examples currently in American collections seem to have been imported from England since the 1860's.

etc,

Incidentally,
The first USA Consulate was set up in Rodney Street Liverpool at the request of `George Washington` and there is a plaque (although I can`t confirm it online, strangely) but it is known locally and has been documented and is pointed out on some Liverpool tours.

Only in America
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cj/appeals/cg0998.pdf
Whilst in the service of the American SS Dick Lykes as an able seaman......
You just have to read the rest for yourself.....and Liverpool gets the blame again.

Mind you we are a bit of a mother city.

[LABlue]

for all the suggestions . I will be very busy for the next 10days. Probably wont be on here very often as I will be wandering around eating chips and looking at buildings

[LABlue]

Not that I am a great fan of WHS but I noticed BBC did a feature Monday night about Blackpool bidding for WHS .

They went on about the Taj Mahal etc. Guess which WHS site located locally they didnt mention once ?

No guesses needed.

[Tony Sebo]

More conceited bastards, who also show their complete ignorance of what WHS is about.

They want WHS (and they presume that pile od scrap is as important as the pyramids) and they also want to rip the place apart putting in brand new mega casinos that would profoundly change EVERYTHING about the resort... for ever!
Pricks!

[LABlue]

latest list of jetlagged observations

1. The Reach on Leeds St is HUGE !
2. The Mersey Ferry is still fun and the waterfront is and will become more impressive.
3. Unity makes a big impression
4. Lots of new shops and places to eat/drink
5. Lime St station !! They have got to sort out Concourse House and those shops prior to COC ( as well as having to queue for over an hour to buy a ticket !!)
6. Lime St general up to the 051 - worst part of the city center now
7. Not as much litter as there used to be
8. Goodison tour - where else can you get Dave Hickson to serve you a cup of tea after showing you around. Great stuff.
9. Cranes cranes cranes everwhere.
10 Can I buy the Nortons for (S)crap sign ?- its a cultural landmark


More later

[westisbest]

it has been mentioned about limes st upto the 051, luckily work will start on demolishing concourse house in the new year but wont be ready for COC

[dups45]

will it be gone by capital of culture year, a building site with an emerging tower will be better than this heap of junk, providing you can actually get out of the station easily without getting injured

when are the planned road works happening? or arn't they happening anymore?

[westisbest]

in 2008 it will prob be a small service core with a large crane and lots of builders everywherre

[LABlue]

Quick update after walking aorund all afternoon before the heavens opened . The missus was spending all our money in M&S.

1 City Architecture - awe inspiring
2 Why does no-one maintain the fountains ?(the bucket fountain at Beetham is a mess and the water feature at Princes Dock was dry )
3 Unity - dominates the skyline from everywhere
4. Old Royal Insurance building in N John ST HAS to be saved - a gem
5 Paradise St is huge
6 Herberts bling building is a HOOT - love it
7 Walker and the World Musuem are great.
8 Princes Dock with 3A , Alex and NWS plus St Pauls will really make a great business district.
9 Cant figure out whats going on with Half Waterloo Dock but it does look worrying
10 Met with GM of the new ACC Arena and he gave me a different perspective of MEN vs ACC. Will post details later when get back to the US.( and by the way Maddona is NOT coming - not yet anyway)

[westisbest]

Hope you like the weather

[Pietari]

Originally Posted by LABlue

Quick update after walking aorund all afternoon before the heavens opened . The missus was spending all our money in M&S.

1 City Architecture - awe inspiring
Naturally
2 Why does no-one maintain the fountains ?(the bucket fountain at Beetham is a mess and the water feature at Princes Dock was dry )
A mystery
3 Unity - dominates the skyline from everywhere
4. Old Royal Insurance building in N John ST HAS to be saved - a gem
A disgrace to English Heritage
5 Paradise St is huge
6 Herberts bling building is a HOOT - love it
7 Walker and the World Musuem are great.
Walker is awsome World Musem needs to fill intentionally blank space.....soon
8 Princes Dock with 3A , Alex and NWS plus St Pauls will really make a great business district.
9 Cant figure out whats going on with Half Waterloo Dock but it does look worrying
Buckets and spades optional
10 Met with GM of the new ACC Arena and he gave me a different perspective of MEN vs ACC. Will post details later when get back to the US.( and by the way Maddona is NOT coming - not yet anyway)

by the way Maddona is NOT coming
Not sure I`m bothered. there are others in the wings .....

PS:-
Video report

WATCH our video report on the Albany Development car stacker, the biggest in the UK. - click here

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/