Consultation on Liverpool’s gay village ends
The consultation on developing Liverpool’s gay village has ended.
Local councillors hope to turn the area into an international destination and plans include making a central square surrounded by restaurants and cafes.
As part of a £12,000 consultation, the area’s residents, businesses and visitors were asked how the area could be improved.
Director of Liverpool Pride Festival, James Davis, told BBC News: “It is about smartening the area up and about making sure that there are things available other than just clubs and bars.
“We have got a very large, warm and friendly gay scene here and we are underselling ourselves.
“Manchester, Brighton and even Birmingham are the destinations to go to but we’ve got fantastic hotels, shopping and bars and we’re not really telling anyone about it.
“The gay scene is not just for gay people. It is not about making it a ghetto, it is about making it a destination.”
Police said last month that there had been a “slight rise” in anti-gay attacks in the area after two drag queens were attacked in separate incidents.
Officers attributed the rise to better reporting of hate crimes but said they would continue to talk to the gay community.
Liverpool is to host its second Pride festival in August after last year’s event was hailed a resounding success.
