Revealed: £1.6m scheme completes Liverpool LGBT quarter revamp

The significant refurbishment of Eberle Street at the centre of Liverpool’s LGBT community, part of a £1.6m scheme to improve the public realm in the city’s Commercial District, has been revealed.

The Wizard of Oz inspired revamp on Eberle Street has been influenced by the rich heritage and wide range of entertainment venues in the area such as the Artist Club, Passion, GBar and Garlands.

A consistent level surface, with new granite paving has replaced the asphalt and kerbing and now features hexagons which show iconic images from The Wizard of Oz, film including the yellow brick road and the Emerald City in the mythical Land of Oz.

Two bespoke designed Eberle Street signs along with bespoke LED lighting across the street complements the hexagonal shape and structure of the paving below.

Liverpool-based designers BCA Landscape and Amey Consulting collaborated on the project, along with the input of stakeholders and BID businesses based on the street, to develop the redesign which was built by King Construction.

The works are part of a £1.6m scheme, which have improved the pedestrian connection linking the Commercial District to the city’s retail core, were jointly funded by the Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool City Council.

Jim Gill, chairman of the Commercial District BID, said: “The completion of Eberle Street is truly the jewel in the crown of the district’s public realm renovation project.

“Eberle Street is key to the night time economy so it’s fantastic to see it gain a new lease of life following its redesign.”

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council cabinet member for regeneration, added: “The transformation of Eberle Street has been a great success story between the public and private sector and has created a beacon for the community that everyone can take pride in. Hopefully it will help drive more footfall to this unique and diverse part of the city centre.”

Other areas which have benefited from the £1.6m public realm improvement scheme include: Bixteth Street, Earle Street, Edmund Street, Exchange Street East, George Street, Hackins Hey, Leather Lane, Moorfields, North John Street, Old Hall Street, Prussia Street and Tempest Hey.

The council contribution is part of the citywide £250m Better Roads programme.

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