Liverpool

Liverpool is a truly global city, known the world over it has an instantly recognisable waterfront, a unique accent not to mention famous sons and daughters.

Based in the heart of North-West England, Liverpool is also the most famous place in Britain to go for a day trip, according to the National Tourist Board. The waterfront area attracts millions of visitors each year. They come to see the rejuvenated Albert Dock, home to the Tate Gallery and Maritime Museum and to take a trip on the famous Mersey Ferry.

The city centre is packed with magnificent buildings and splendid architecture including St George's Hall, Liverpool Museum, Walker Art Gallery, and its two cathedrals - the Anglican Cathedral and Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

The Liverpool Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre opened in January 2008.  A range of theatres offer first class productions to rival London's West End. And many tourists just come to Liverpool for its exciting nightlife.

Liverpool is a major shopping centre for the area. In recent years, new and exciting retailers have muscled in to take advantage of Merseysiders' spending power. GAP and Vivienne Westwood joined clothes store Zara as newcomers in 2004. More recently, Flannels, Armani and MAC arrived in the new Met Centre which opened in February 2006.

Also, phases 1 and 2 of the much anticipated £1billion Liverpool One (Paradise Project) opened in 2008 with new department stores housing, amongst others, a new John Lewis and Debenhams along with parking for 3000 vehicles. The site will also see two new hotels, a gallery, new bus station, public park, and cinema when fully completed in 2009. This massive building scheme is one of the largest city centre developments in Europe.

The city centre has a wide choice of cafes, bars, pubs and clubs. Mathew Street, the home of the Cavern Club, still attracts thousands of Beatles fans from all over the world.

The city is alive with musicians, poets, writers, artists, painters, sculptors, designers and architects. Together, these all help to boost our image as a European City of Culture.  The city's Childwall area is home to Lime Pictures, the television production company that produces popular series "Hollyoaks" and "Grange Hill", and until 2003 produced "Brookside".

Our three universities University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Hope University are providing our citizens with new talents and skills.

Liverpool is also a serious sporting city. Liverpool and Everton football clubs are known all over the world. The world's most famous horse race, the Grand National is held immediately adjacent to the city boundary at Aintree Racecourse but remains forever linked to the city.