How the Liver Bird learned to fly

I thought your piece about the regeneration of Liverpool (‘Scouse Honour’, Cover story, September 2004) was an excellent synopsis.

I think, however, the trigger for regeneration was several years earlier and in some ways a reaction to the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in 1989. Locally that was the lowest point of despair.

Objective one was, in my opinion, the actual catalyst and a review of the restrictions on listed buildings produced a more flexible approach to planning applications. This allowed more creative opportunities for the couple of hundred delapidated listed buildings in what became known as The Ropewalks.

I do, however, agree with Mike Storey [leader of the Lib Dem council that defeated Labour in 1998]. His philosophy as regards the city’s rebirth seems to be working: tell enough people about the positives and eventually they’ll start to repeat it back to you.