New era beckons for Albert Dock

The Albert Dock's appeal has slipped recently. Adrian Butler reports exclusively on plans to restore it

SINCE it was re-opened in the 1980s, the Albert Dock has been seen as a key location on Liverpool's tourist trail. But, in recent years, the complex has seemingly waned, with many of its waterside shops lying empty.

Now, with the Grosvenor shopping development soon to be built and an obvious competitor for the public's purse, managers have revealed a master plan aimed at securing the dock's future. The blueprint aims to make sure the Albert Dock remains a premier tourist attraction in the run-up to 2008.

And the ambitious scheme, which dock manager Ian Brown revealed to the Daily Post, includes:

* Finally getting three quarters of the disused shop units filled by the end of the year with the help of the international firm who attracted shops to Manchester.

* Pitching the dock as a mooring point for luxury yachts and historic ships.

* Building a floating stage in Salt-house Dock for major concerts.

* Lighting up the front of the dock to make it more attractive to passers-by.

At the same time, the Daily Post can reveal National Museums Liverpool's secret plans to build a glass walkway linking the Maritime Museum with the Granada building. This, though, is dependent on them buying the building from Granada.

Mr Brown said: "The Albert Dock is in danger of slipping from the consciousness of Liverpool. Unless we can enhance the estate we will fall behind.

"Our plans mean the Albert Dock is going to be sitting pretty in terms of what's going on all around it by 2008. We want to be at the root of what's happening along the river.

"It will be a very different attraction from what is on offer elsewhere." By Adrian Butler, Daily Post

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