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Post by Kev on May 19, 2004 2:41:08 GMT -5
 Traders opposing a £750m redevelopment plan in Liverpool city centre have had their hopes dashed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. The decision spells the end for the alternative shopping centre Quiggins - renowned for its bohemian clothes shops and indie record stalls. It will be replaced by a new complex including shops and hotels. Quiggins traders had collected a 100,000-signature petition opposing the Bluecoat triangle scheme. The scheme takes in Hanover Street, Paradise Street and School Lane. The new project is the brainchild of the Duke of Westminster's property company. Quiggins, which is on School Lane, would be closed under a compulsory purchase order, affecting 45 businesses. The petition had been presented to the House of Commons by Crosby MP Claire Curtis Thomas. Work on the redevelopment is expected to start in the autumn. |
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Post by Howie on May 19, 2004 17:06:56 GMT -5
No surrender message from the main Grosvenor development battlers
May 19 2004
Daily Post
THE fight will go on - that was the message from alternative store Quiggins last night, one of the main objectors to the Grosvenor development.
The retail and cultural centre now faces making way for a parade of designer shops which the developers hope will help lead people through from Church Street to the new stores on Paradise Street.
Of all the objectors to Grosvenor, Quiggins'campaign was the most vociferous and sustained.
Brothers Peter and Jimmy Tierney founded their business on Peters Lane 17 years ago and had built goodwill among the public.
Posters, flyers and a petition - finally handed in direct to Downing Street this year with 150,000 signatures - kept the momentum of their campaign going and support came from all around the world.
Last night Peter Tierney said: "We are obviously disappointed that the Government inspector chose to ignore the views of the thousands of Liverpudlians - young and old - who have overwhelmingly supported us.
"The decision, however, doesn't alter the merits of our case. Quiggins is an asset to the city, a cultural and commercial success story that deserves greater consideration than it has received.
"All we have ever wanted is a little flexibility on the part of the developers and the city council.
"We refuse to accept that in order for Liverpool to develop successfully, it has to throw away the good with the bad.
"There has never been a credible reason why Quiggins couldn't operate alongside a new shopping development - our aim is to complement not to compete."
Quiggins have already rejected Grosvenor offers for their site as "derisory" and said alternative sites offered were not suitable.
Top QC Robert McCracken was brought in to fight the Quiggins case at the public inquiry into Grosvenor last October, prompting many bitter exchanges between him and the Grosvenor team.
The developers said the project just would not work without the Quiggins site. "Quiggins Must Go" was how the Daily Post headline summed up their view the next day.
Last night former city councillor Joe Kenny, the spokesman for the Quiggins campaign, was unbowed.
Mr Kenny said: "The fight will go on regardless. We will not walk away from this because there is an injustice going on here. It seems the inspector and the Secretary of State are allowing Grosvenor everything they wanted.
"We've now got to look at the decision in detail and see what our options are.
"We'll see if there is any room for any agreement and if not look at whether there are any legal avenues still open to us.
"There is now a two-month period where our lawyers can see if there are any grounds for a judicial review."
Quiggins could also use tactics such as sit-ins to delay the developers for whom time is very much of the essence.
Mr Kenny said: "There are other ways we can continue the campaign regardless of this decision. We will look at all options to protect the building.
"We've always felt we've been badly treated by this council and Grosvenor.
"They've paid lip service to the 250 jobs and 45 businesses that have been created at Quiggins.
"The Capital of Culture judges even asked about the future of Quiggins when they visited the city.
"What they are doing is the same as what they did to the Cavern, turning the city's culture into a car park."
The only site which Quiggins views as acceptable as an alternative is the George Henry Lee site on Church Street, which will be vacated when John Lewis becomes the anchor store.
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Post by Howie on Jun 11, 2004 19:09:20 GMT -5
Jim joins Quiggins campaignJun 11 2004 Liverpool Echo FORMER ECHO columnist and award-winning dramatist Jimmy McGovern is the latest name to support the campaign to save Quiggins. It comes as traders in the Liverpool building have been given their marching orders. The School Lane centre will close down in July 2006. The building will be turned into a parade of exclusive shops as part of the £750m Paradise Street development by developer Grosvenor. Many of the 45 businesses and 250 staff that trade from Quiggins want to stay where they are, and a campaign has been launched to fight the closure. Jimmy said: "Quiggins has been built up with years of hard work by people who grew up in the inner city of Liverpool. It is an Aladdin's cave. "It is part of the culture of this city." Grosvenor are trying to find an alternative site for the small and independent businesses that trade from Quiggins. Campaign spokesman Joe Kenny said: "We have been told that Grosvenor want the building vacated on July 6, 2006. We are not closing yet. "Business is booming. We have no vacant units and there is a list of traders who want to move in. "This shows there is a need for us. People still want to test their markets in a way that doesn't cripple them financially - that is the beauty of Quiggins. "We are taking advice from our lawyers to see what our next step is. We are in negotiation with Grosvenor and those talks have been quite positive." 
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Post by primalprincess on Jul 23, 2004 4:03:32 GMT -5
It is an Aladdin's cave.
thats a great qoute i signed that petition also and i love Quiggins i sure hope they can just reach some comprimise instead of tearing down another part of liverpool that has so much history behind it and also great treasures to find everytime i go in there i find something new and unique
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Post by Kev on Sept 20, 2004 6:32:06 GMT -5
I've heard its going to move to the Old ABC cinema on Lime Street as part of the redevelopment of the area.
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Post by Desi on Sept 29, 2004 7:54:29 GMT -5
Let's face it; isn't it all about £, $, moolah, dosh, whatever you want to call it? Isn't it the bent system we all live in? Isn't it about back handers and corruption on all levels? There's no community spirit in any of these councils these days, it's just about the almighty dollar isn't it? We'll probably end up with a complex resmbling a huge fish tank; cold and clinical, full of uniformed kids filling cash registers and swiping cards with not a glimmer of a smile on their faces. It stinks! Quiggans and shops like it are what makes Liverpool. When foreigners come here they'll feel really at home won't they? All the bloody shops will be just like the ones at home!  Precott! |
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Post by Kev on Sept 29, 2004 8:05:16 GMT -5
I completely agree about the dollas etc... However... ....When I was a kid, the last place I wanted to shop was Quiggins..why? 'cause you could buy lots of 2nd hand stuff there and I perceived it as a hangout full of middle-class 'smellies' from Formby, roughing it abit in Town. Thats what I thought 'then'. Since then I have visited the place several times but never bought anything. A fascinating place but, is it a shop the really makes Liverpool? I'm not sure  |
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Post by Desi on Sept 29, 2004 8:18:27 GMT -5
I think it does because of the type of stuff you find there.
There's a lot of Liverpool history in that place and I believe that given a chance the tourists would snap up memorabilia from the capital of culture.
I think they are wrong closing it down and there should be a way of somehow preserving it and that area in general.
I suppose we'll never know now!
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Post by Kev on Sept 29, 2004 8:21:57 GMT -5
On thing I did realise walkind down there the other week was that when all this area is redeveloped (and it is a shame quiggins building is going, its very nice), it''l be much better than it is now...its grotty and dirty in places, its not nice.
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Post by Desi on Sept 29, 2004 8:51:24 GMT -5
Bit of soap and water behind the ears would sort it out. A lot cheaper as well. Maybe they'd have a bit left to up the parking attendants wages eh? Make em less hungry!   Well maybe not!  |
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Post by Kev on Sept 29, 2004 9:05:21 GMT -5
We should go down with our toothbrushes and soap....get cleaning!  |
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Post by FKoE on Sept 29, 2004 14:41:57 GMT -5
We should go down with our toothbrushes and soap....get cleaning! Them two, scare me ;D |
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Post by Kev on Sept 29, 2004 14:51:58 GMT -5
Ah, you love it mate, that blonde one on the right is a scouser I think.
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