Liverpool’s Chinatown is the oldest in Europe, having first been established in the 1860s when Chinese migrants arrived and settled in the region, often as employees in the shipping industry. The settlers brought their cuisine and cooking skills with them, and this is still evident in the diverse range of restaurants and food shops in the area.
The entrance to Liverpool’s Chinatown is unmissable, as it is marked by an elaborately decorated 44ft tall arch. The beautiful structure was gifted to the city when it was twinned with Shanghai in 2000, and is a focal point of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
The arch has a symmetrical structure with five separate roofs, and is adorned with colourful geometric designs, 200 dragons and guarded by a pair of bronze lions. Chinatown is a thriving area, and is now set to be enhanced further by improvements to the public realm.
The scheme is part of a regeneration of the wider area around Great George Street in Liverpool, which will see the creation of new office space, homes and leisure facilities. The bustling Baltic Triangle area is nearby, which has first class shopping and entertainment venues.
The area is also set to benefit from the opening of the new Liverpool Baltic Merseyrail Station in 2027, which will bring new business and tourists into the quarter of the city. A public consultation has been launched on the new plans, with contributions, comments and ideas from members of the local community and businesses welcome until 31 March.
The Guide Liverpool reports that the centrepiece of the renewal scheme will be two stone lions, which have been donated by the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester. A ‘flower mat’ and a ‘wishing tree’ will be installed nearby. Other plans include the creation of a memorial garden, improvements to the playground and enhanced pedestrian access.
Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Cllr Nick Small, said: “We are hugely proud of the city’s Chinatown, which is the oldest in Europe, and has huge potential. We want to revitalise it so it is somewhere that the local community and Liverpool residents are equally proud of, as well as being somewhere tourists can spend time.”
“We’re asking local people and businesses to have their say on the ideas that have been developed and input into the design process, so that we can create something that is really special.”
Secretary General of Merseyside Chinese Association Joint Action Group, Ming Wang, said: “We look forward to witnessing the transformation of our beloved Chinatown, more footfall to Chinatown, followed by better business, more investment and more visitors from around the world.”
In Chinese culture, lions represent prosperity, and the donated stone statues are intended to bring good fortune to the area.