The second part of our series of the UK’s top cities for property investment features Liverpool. Find out what makes the Scouse capital so special and outstanding.
Liverpool is seemingly the master of making virtue out of necessity. Whilst being described as “the New York of Europe” during the 19th century and giving birth to the Beatles, the city has more recently experienced some rougher years.
Now, however, the tide is turning again for Britain’s biggest port city.
1. Half a million people
Liverpool has about 500,000 inhabitants and an estimated 6.2m people live within one hour of the city centre. Liverpool John Lennon Airport as well as Manchester Airport can both be reached in less than 45 minutes.
2. 18th century diamond
The city originally flourished in the 18th century due to its important port dock. 40% of the world’s shipping cargo was happening in Liverpool at the time.
3. Regeneration
Regeneration has been a topic in Liverpool for more than 10 years now and is still in full swing. The city made a big turn from having a declining population to now being a place people plan on moving to again.
4. Liverpool One
One of Liverpool’s biggest regeneration projects was Liverpool One. It opened its doors less than ten years ago and can already record a footfall of over 27m people every year.
5. Liverpool & Roll
Liverpool produced more top-selling musicians and rock bands than any other city. In fact, it holds the Guinness Book of Records title for the Capital of Pop. Some of the most famous bands that started out in the city are Elvis Costello, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Atomic Kitten and of course The Beatles.
6. World Heritage Site
Liverpool became a World Heritage Site in 2004, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Museum of Liverpool, Liverpool and Everton FC, the Tate North, the Beatles, Royal Birkdale and Aintree.
7. Education
Liverpool is home to three universities, The School of Tropical Medicine, Daresbury Science & Innovation Centre (one out of only two in the UK) and the proposed “Bio-Innovation” campus at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. It also sees about 18,000 students graduating every year.
8. Expansion and Innovation
95,000 new jobs will be created in the city by 2020, due to the expansion of the Super Port, the Knowledge Economy and the Tourism Industry.
9. More than £5billion investment
£5billion have already been spent on development projects over the last couple of years. Yet another £7billion is going to be invested in Liverpudlian development projects within the next decade.
10. The Port of Liverpool
The Port of Liverpool will be one of Europe’s biggest super container ports by the end 2015. It will be able to handle 1.5m TEUs of cargo a year.
Also read the first part of this series The Top 10 of Property Investment: Manchester.
