Concert Square to clean up its act

CONCERT Square, that mecca of late night boozing and home of the stag and hen do, could clean up its act to become “a destination full of activity throughout the day”.

Daytime boozing then? Like Slater Street?

Apparently not. "The Concert Square Interest Group", made up of representatives from local businesses and other stakeholders including the city council, Merseyside Police, and Liverpool Vision, are bidding to transform the square.

They say they want to create: “A destination to attract people during the daytime, evening and night-times. During the daytime, a hive of activity, full of diversity and life; where residents and office workers meet up; where shoppers, diners and culture-seekers stop for a break with a drink, a bite to eat and some entertainment.

“During the evening and night-time, a vibrant and attractive place offering a variety of food and drink and entertainment, both indoors and outdoors. An exemplar of best practice night-time economy management where people, can move safely, easily and quickly.”

Concert Square as it was Concert Square has moved away from its original concept, which was apparently “a continental-style piazza” when Urban Splash designed it in 1994 from the wreckage of a chemical works.

On paper, it set out to be somewhere where people could mix during the day and a high quality night-time destination.  Indeed, the first bar there, Modo, had high quality bouncers, and high quality junior lawyers getting smashed on Tuesday nights when it pioneered late drinking.

Since then it has become an area dominated by late night drinking, Bolivian imports and cheap shots that everyone can afford. It is recognised as a party venue and people travel in from Huyton and beyond, all hours of the night.

Magicians

Now, new benches and hedges have been installed to mark it from the neighbouring streets in a bid to create a more relaxed atmosphere.  Hot food and drink stalls are shortly to be introduced.

An events programme starts this Sunday with the first in a series of Sunday events with street performances from jugglers, magicians, stilt walkers, poets, singers, musicians, floor drawings and novelty acts.

Elaine Clarke, chief executive of the BaaBar which championed the £1 “shooter” and laughing gas, said; ““Our events listings are ever growing now including street theatre and outdoor performance.

We are encouraging more cultural activity to the square, making it more diverse. In the coming months we will have a new food offer and a more selective range of non-alcoholic beverages available to ensure that Modo (which it also owns) has a consistent core offer.”