Can town make billions in cultural revolution? (From Echo)

Southend could learn from former Capital of Culture

4:00pm Wednesday 4th November 2009 in News

AS Southend bids to become the UK’s first City of Culture in 2013, the town could do worse than look to Liverpool for a slice of inspiration.

Southend is competing with 29 other towns across the UK to become the national showcase for culture and creativity that could attract thousands of visitors.

If the bid wins, the town will host major national events and feature year-long exhibitions of its own.

Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture for 2008, an accolade which saw 7,000 events attract 15 million visitors over the year.

As well as the surge in visitor numbers, benefits included an £800million economic boost to the Liverpool City region and the high-profile physical and cerebral regeneration of the city.

The European culture crown is awarded annually by the European Union, but the UK’s own capital of culture will be selected from 29 applicants by the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Bryan Gray, chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, which has been behind the regeneration of Liverpool, said: “The city delivered a culture programme worthy of any premier European city.

“It was both commercially and critically successful and demonstrated how culture can be used as a tool for regeneration.

“Liverpool has bequeathed itself a legacy of pride, confidence and ambition and a template for success which the wider region and the rest of the UK can adopt and benefit from.”

The year involved collaboration between the private and public sectors, individuals and organisations, cultural partners and artists.

Events spanned everything from music, theatre and art to sport, literature and the exploration of the city’s geography. Preparations for the year-long events programme began as soon as Liverpool was named the 2008 capital in 2003.

As well as the economic benefits, Liverpool also gained a substantial boost through the investment of £4billion in 300 major developments across the city since 2000, with many projects attracted to the town as a result of the award.

The scheme is the largest city centre regeneration in the EU and has helped the city move from 15th to 5th place in a list of UK retail destinations.

The growth has included a 33 per cent rise in shoppers who bring a £2billion spend to the city.

If successful, it is hoped Southend’s bid to be the UK’s culture capital in 2013 would have a similar effect. However, the plans are closely guarded for fear of other towns copying them. The winner will be announced in the spring.

Derek Jarvis, Southend councillor responsible for culture, said: “The major economic benefits enjoyed by Liverpool as a result of being the European Capital of Culture cannot be disregarded, as the authorities in Liverpool have estimated that the prestigious crown has added £800million to the regional economy.”

Other buildings which have directly benefitted from the Liverpool 08 programme are the city’s iconic St George’s Hall and the 18th-century Bluecoat arts centre, which both underwent multi-million-pound redevelopments.

The council has plans to build a new museum in Southend’s cliffs to house the priceless relics of the town’s Saxon King, and although this would not be complete by 2013, the council’s pledge to bring the pieces back to the town would likely see them play a prominent part in the celebrations.

Southend Pier is also likely to form the centrepiece to the bid, and it is hoped winning would see a replication of the regenerative effect the European award had on Liverpool.

Mr Jarvis added: “In Southend, culture, regeneration and economic success are not seen as separate entities. Culture is a central part of our vision for Southend and our regeneration framework recognises culturally vibrant places are attractive places for investment.

“We hope our bid will make Southend a better place to live, work and visit.”