Step aside, Manchester, this is the age of the Mersey
There was a time when, in the Northwest of England, only one city reigned supreme.
For most of the ‘90s and the early 2000s, Manchester was widely considered to be the king of the North, playing home to chart-topping bands such as Oasis and the Stone Roses and giving birth to new genres of music thanks to its world-famous ‘Madchester’ movement emanating from the Haçienda nightclub.
Over at Old Trafford, a newly emerged Scottish manager was cutting his teeth with the Red Devils, masterminding an inaugural Premier League trophy in 1992/93 and going on to win titles in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999. The so-called ‘class of 92’ became global celebrities, none more so than David Beckham and his Spice Girl wife.
The Duke of Edinburgh made sure to pop up to open a new airport terminal, while the Queen visited nearby and Princess Diana, famously dressed in tartan, appeared for a walkabout in the city centre. It was, by and large, a “golden decade” for Manchester, and one that few will forget.
The fortunes of the city contrasted starkly with those of its Merseyside neighbour that spent most of that period ‘on the brink’, sandwiched between harsh Thatcherite economics and the rise of Militant Councillors in the Town Hall. Poverty and deprivation swept through Liverpool and famous landmarks like its historic docks were left in disarray.
But changes through the start of the Millenia have seen a remarkable turnaround. In 2008, Liverpool was named the European Capital of Culture to much acclaim and in 2012 a cruise ship began its journey from the newly-built Pier Head for the first time in 40 years, bringing back a famous industry to the city.
Elsewhere, there has been a flurry of new developments that suggest it is on the cusp of a similar ‘golden era’ enjoyed by Manchester in the noughties. We’ve picked out five reasons why this could be Liverpool’s time to shine below:
A banging music scene
There are few cities that celebrate music quite like Liverpool.
The city centre is swamped by record stores full of fanatics who pour over old vinyls and the pubs, clubs and bars feature live musicians on a conveyer belt from dawn to dusk.
In some parts, the mere mention of the B word will prompt an entire room to break into song, and the famous Cavern Club still welcomes fanatics from all four corners of the globe to join in the celebration of their most famous export.
Proudly Liverpudlian and enormously talented, Jamie Webster is following in their footsteps and has quickly become a fan favourite at Anfield. The video below will make the hairs on your arms prick up, regardless of what team you follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmJmgsYbI2Q
A resurgent Docks
It was thanks to an ingenious bit of town planning that the Liverpool Docks re-established its place at the heart of the city. A new shopping centre, dubbed Liverpool ONE, connects the main shopping area and train station with the Mersey, and as a result, a plethora of restaurants, bars and cultural spots have breathed new life into what is now an iconic cultural scene.
The Tate Liverpool is situated on the far side of the Dock, while a host of other museums can be found close by, namely the Museum of Liverpool and the Beatles Story. A ferry across the Mersey can be taken from Pier Head, which, as mentioned above, now welcomes cruise ships for the first time in four decades.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CW6n8D_sz2f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
A post-imperialist economy
In 1985, Professor Michael Parkinson published a book entitled ‘Liverpool on the Brink’, setting out the perilous economic state of the city at that time brought about by harsh economic policies and disastrous local governance.
More than 30 years later, he published a follow-up to the book called ‘Liverpool Beyond the Brink’ in which he celebrated the “remaking of a post-Imperialist city”.
It put forward the view Merseyside had the potential to continue its recent renaissance after rebounding significantly from the darks of the 1980s and early 90s. A multi-billion-pound injection from the EU as well as becoming the 2008 European Capital of Culture helped.
It is Parkinson’s belief that, post-pandemic, the city’s growing knowledge economy, the maritime sector with the imminent Freeport as well as the tourism and the creative and digital sectors will be major factors behind its continued success.
A voice
In the wake of a recent UFC fight against Rodrigo ‘Kazula’ Vargas, local fighter Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett said he would be devoting a large chunk of his earnings to the city of Liverpool if his winning streak continues.
“I’m from Liverpool, lad. We’re not Tories. My city keeps me grounded”, he said.
“I do hope I end up earning as much money as Conor McGregor. I’m going to give back to my city. No child in this city would ever eat from a food bank ever again.”
That voice of justice, one that speaks out against oppression and cruelty, has been echoed by other stars from the same city such as Molly McCann, Liverpool-born Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and local MP Ian Byrne.
As the cost-of-living squeeze worsens, their words will become increasingly poignant.
And, of course, football
In the north, a successful football team breathes new life into all corners of the city, and so it is with Liverpool FC.
Under Jürgen Klopp, the club won its first Premier League title and has won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and Liverpool’s first FIFA Club World Cup.
Most impressively of all, he has embodied the spirit of Liverpool in doing so.
In the words of Alastair Campbell, he understands why the Hillsborough 97 are, and always will be, so important. He understands why The Sun will never be welcome in Liverpool and he understands the importance of football in the life of the city, not just Liverpool FC, but Everton, Tranmere, and hundreds of amateur clubs.
He has brought so much joy and pride to the community, and that is something that is palpable in the city, especially during its current golden era.
Related stories:
- Molly McCann’s remarkable journey from payday loans to smashing it in the UFC
- Paddy Pimblett: Number of men attending mental health club surges after UFC star’s speech on suicide
- Paddy Pimblett dedicates UFC London victory to friend that died by suicide
