LIVERPOOL LINKS
The great city of Liverpool began as a tidal pool next to the Mersey. It was probably called the lifer pol meaning muddy pool. Although the town was founded in the 13th century and is not mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), it is likely that a small hamlet, too small to merit a mention of its own, existed for some years previously.
King John founded the port of Liverpool in 1207. The English had recently conquered Ireland and John needed another port to send men and supplies across the Irish Sea.
In 1229 the king granted the people of Liverpool another charter. This time he gave the merchants of Liverpool the right to form themselves into an organisation called a guild to protect their interests. In many medieval towns the Merchant's Guild also ran the town. In Liverpool the guildsmen elected an official called the Reeve to run the town on a day-to-day basis.
The first mention of a Mayor of Liverpool was in 1351 but for several centuries Liverpool remained a very small town of around 1,000 souls not reaching 2,500 until the time of the civil war (1642) during which time it continued as a port, trading mainly with Ireland and being an embarkation point for English troops being sent to Ireland to put down the rebellions in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Liverpool began to grow rapidly in the late 17th century with the growth of English colonies in North America and the West Indies. Liverpool was, obviously, well placed to trade with colonies across the Atlantic and over the next 200 years the town grew to be the third biggest port in England.
From about 1730 the merchants of Liverpool made huge profits from the slave trade. The trade formed a triangle. Goods from Manchester were given to the Africans in return for slaves. The slaves were transported across the Atlantic to the West Indies and sugar was brought back from there to Liverpool.
In the early 20th century the city suffered a shortage of houses. Overcrowding was common, as was slum housing. The council built some council houses but nothing like enough to solve the problem. Furthermore Liverpool suffered severely in the depression of the 1930s and up to a third of men of working age were unemployed.
After World War II ended the council was faced with the task of replacing bombed houses. Liverpool as a major port had been a major target for the bombers. It also had to replace many slum houses. Like other cities Liverpool 'redeveloped' central areas of the city in the 1950s and 1960s and many new council houses and flats were built.
In the last years of the 20th century there were some hopeful signs of regeneration in the derelict industrial areas and in the city centre and as we go into the 21st century Liverpool is at last beginning to be restored to its former glory. There is a great deal of new building going on and the tasteful conversion of many factory and dockland sites.
Liverpool08 - European Capital of Culture
Being named European Capital of Culture 2008 was arguably the greatest day in Liverpool's recent history. But what is beyond argument is that 4 June 2003 changed Liverpool. At a stroke, national and international perceptions changed and the image of the city improved. Already, 2008 is the rocket fuel that is propelling Liverpool's economy, and solid foundations have now been laid for its ongoing transformation into a world-class city.
Liverpool is already well known around the world for its maritime heritage, architecture, music, literature, the arts and sport. The Capital of Culture title will place the city firmly on the global map. Nearly two million extra visitors are expected to attend the many world-class festivals and events that will take place in the run-up to and including 2008. Now, alongside its proud past, Liverpool has a bright future as a modern, cosmopolitan and premier European city with a world-beating reputation.
For more information about Liverpool visit www.visitliverpool.com
You might find the following links of interest. They contain lots of information on living and working in the city, as well and economic facts and figures which back up the view that Liverpool and Merseyside have a lot to offer property investors.
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