A survey has shown people in Liverpool are extremely optimistic about the future of the city centre.
The findings show that 70% of people believe it has improved during the last year, and 95% were optimistic for the future – the highest level recorded.
A total of 1449 people who work, live and visit the centre were interviewed as part of the annual City Centre Perception Survey, commissioned by the City Council, Liverpool Vision, Merseytravel, BID and Citysafe.
Joe Anderson, leader of the city council, said: “This is the most consistently positive survey of the city centre we have ever had.
“The message coming out of it loud and clear is that the city centre is generally regarded as safe and vibrant with great shops and entertainment.”
96% rate the retail experience as positive - a 5% increase from last year - reflecting Liverpool’s climb into the top five retail destinations in the UK, with shoppers spending £1.9 billion annually.
And the majority of people considered it to be a better shopping centre than Manchester, the Trafford Centre and Cheshire Oaks.
Cllr Anderson added: “There is no doubt that Liverpool One has had a major effect on the way the city is viewed, but there are many other aspects of the city centre which are also impressing.
“In fact, when they were asked what they would like to change about the city centre more than 40% could think of nothing to change!”
There has also been an increase in the number of people who think the centre has a good variety of entertainment on offer, with 88% compared with 69% last year.
And the city centre recently retained its Purple Flag, a national award which recognises a safe, clean and well-managed city centre.
Cllr Anderson added: “We don’t want to rest on our laurels - we have to keep on trying to improve.
“The recent work to Concert Square and the proposals for the Stanley Street Quarter show we want to continue developing the centre.
“And we are very aware that with the cuts imposed on us it will be a real challenge to maintain the very high standards which have been achieved.”
However, while the overall picture was highly positive, some concerns did emerge.
There was an increase in the number of people who commented on the levels of drinking in the street, begging and ‘young people hanging around’.
There were also calls for more seating, better quality green spaces and an increase in the number of public toilets.
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