Liverpool Chinatown 2000 -
A Gateway to Europe 

The new Ceremonial Archway in Liverpool Chinatown is a brand new landmark and tourist attraction and has recently won the Architectural and Tourism Award. The structure was imported piece by piece from Shanghai, China and then re-built by craftsmen from the Motherland. At 15m high, this archway is the largest in Europe and stands proud protecting and bringing good luck to the oldest European Chinatown.

Feng shui played a crucial role in the construction, positioning and appearance of the Ceremonial Archway. This ancient art dictated the exact position of the archway, the colours and the types of decoration. There are 200 dragons on the wooden and marble structure with a mixture of stunning golds, reds, greens and the Chinese Royal colour of yellow.

The Chinese Community came up with the idea of an archway in Chinatown back in the late 80's, under the co-ordination of Mr Brian Wong, Chief Executive of the Liverpool Chinatown Business Association. Working in conjunction with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Rope Walks Partnership and The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry, work started on construction on 26th November 1999. The archway was finally completed on 31st January 2000, just in time to celebrate the Chinese New Year of The Dragon.

One of the main aims of the LCBA is physical regeneration in the Chinatown area. The archway is the central element of this providing a catalyst towards inward investment and development. It will, and has already, revived the tourist industry in Chinatown inspiring confidence, offer a focal point and is a symbol of unity within the Liverpool community. Shanghai in China is the largest and fastest growing economy on the mainland. The archway also acts as a celebration of the official twinning of Liverpool with Shanghai, providing links not only in trade but also in education, information, cultural exchange, leisure and sport. The friendship of two great nations looking to the future and into the new Millennium.

Chinatown 2000 and beyond

The 3rd phase of Chinatown's development is beginning to take place. The City Council agreed that as part of the English Heritage, the pavilion and pagoda located at the old Garden Festival site could be saved and restored. Subject to planning permission, these would be placed in Great George Square and the plateau apposite the new archway. If this proposal is successful, Chinatown will become one of the North West's major tourist attractions and vibrant cultural quarter. It is hoped that the new Chinese archway along with the themed development works will inject new confidence into the local community, attracting tourism and inward investment. The building of the archway is also being seen as a tangible link in the growing relationship between Liverpool and Shanghai. Further to this, a new development in the Chinatown area called Merchant Square, will see the construction of 30 units of managed workspace as well as a SME centre for business support and facilities.

Apart from the physical regeneration of the area, social and educational programmes are also needed to support the community. Although members of the community are still predominantly working in the catering industry, new projects have been set up to help those who would like to explore new careers.

The Liverpool Chinatown Business Association (LCBA) plays a significant role in business support. In 1995, alongside Liverpool Community College, the association introduced the first Chinese Catering NVQ Course in the country. Other courses include English language for business, bi-lingual computer training, Mandarin language classes, Feng Shui studies and general business support is available. Regular seminars are held to support businesses in the local area. The latest of these was a GM foods seminar offering advice and and information in conjunction with the trading standards office and Liverpool John Moores University. One of the main aims of the LCBA is to become part of the Regional Development Forum looking at long term strategic needs and development for the Chinese Community in the North West.

LCBA also co-ordinate with the other Chinese community organisations to organise major events. This includes the most significant event in the Chinese calendar - The Chinese New Year Celebrations. This event is seen as a celebration of traditional Chinese customs and culture and raises the profile of the Community. The celebrations are marked with fire crackers, dragon and lion dances, martial arts, Feng Shui demonstrations and traditional Chinese musical and art performances. The event attracts more than 20,000 tourists into the area during the celebrations and is the largest single event in the Community.