Bold Street is in the running to receive a £15,000 fund to boost Liverpool’s independent businesses, personalities and culture and it needs your support.
Every city has a street that manages to embody the spirit of a whole city in one stretch. London might have Brick lane, Manchester may have Canal Street but Liverpool has Bold Street. A street you can eat all over the world. A few years ago now the Bold Street festival used to celebrate everything that was independent and with your help, it could be coming back.
The Liverpool BID Company and the Healthy High Street Partnership, part of the Business in the Community Charity, are shortlisted for an Aviva Community Fund that will go towards developing an annual Bold Street Festival. The proposed event will include a street takeover allowing the businesses on Bold Street, which represent over 50 countries, to showcase their diverse offering. People are being urged to vote for the ‘Celebrating Bold Street’s Independents’ project before the deadline of midday on Friday 18th November 2016.
Bold Street was originally laid out as a ropewalk; a long thin area of land uses in the manufacture of rope, which was the catalyst for it to be known as ‘The Ropewalks’. Back in the 18th century, sailors used the street to measure out rope for the sailing ships needed for the busy port industry. It has managed to captivate many with its history and architecture, the sheer beauty of some of the older buildings effortlessly laying next to modern establishments gives it an olde-worlde feel. The Lyceum at the bottom of Bold Street was a Gentlemen’s club as well as the first lending library in Europe. The Neo-classical building was built in the years 1800-1802 and was established as an alternative meeting place to the rowdy coffee houses for several of Liverpool’s abolitionists, such as William Roscoe.
If successful, the money will see an ‘independent quarter’ brand created as well as a promotional video and additional marketing collateral to help promote the unique businesses in the area. Local artists will also be supported with opportunities to create, display and perform. Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “The Aviva funding is a fantastic opportunity for us to create an event that is really special and will celebrate the thriving independents that Bold Street has become renowned for.
“However it would go beyond just a one-day event. There would be a series of lasting projects across the area to further support the local business community as well as residents.
“We are encouraging anyone who loves this unique part of the city to vote for our project and help us to create a truly special event to give the independents the recognition they deserve.”
It is envisaged that if the £15,000 fund is granted, it will act as a catalyst to unlock over £30,000 of in-kind support, both from the local authority and private partners.
Voting is free and each person has 10 votes to cast.
Follow these 4 steps to vote:
1 – Register on the Aviva website here – https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/MyInitiative/GuestRegistration/CreateAccount
2 – Follow the link in the confirmation email and complete your registration
3 – Go to the Bold Street project page or search for Bold Street on the main page – https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/16-3728
4 – Cast your 10 votes for them!