Q&A

All eyes are on Liverpool as it finally takes centre stage as the European Capital of Culture. But beyond the glamorous opening shows, celebrity endorsements and shiny new buildings in the city centre, does it really benefit the people of Liverpool?

Here the managing director of housing associations Liverpool Housing Trust and Cobalt Housing explains how the capital of culture title is affecting his tenants.

• Do you think it is a good thing?

As a local person I am delighted but I am worried about the wrong image of Liverpool getting out – that business with the infighting at the organising company was embarrassing.

• What have you done to coincide with this?

We decided about six months ago that this had to be more than a city centre beauty parade. I was in Glasgow when it was capital of culture and once you stepped outside the centre, things deteriorated rapidly. We wanted the tenants to have a connection to culture and make it accessible to them so they are involved in several schemes, such as arts projects in Toxteth, Liverpool Read and designing a sculpture that will move around the city.

• Do you think the regeneration of the city will really improve life for your tenants?

I’m worried that once the year is over, everyone will just pack their bags and head back to where they came from, leaving things just as they were before. I am concerned it won’t be used as a platform to keep people involved in cultural activity and that it will end up being just the same people as before who have access to culture. There is also a chance it could end up as a city centre clean-up and will benefit a select few.

• Has Liverpool’s housing market changed because of it?

After the announcement, property prices soared. Some of our stock valuation went up by over 100%. We also had a run on right-to-buy as people realised the new value of their homes. In just over three years we sold 700 homes. People saw the opportunity and got in quick. Good for them, I say. Since then it’s levelled out and demand is up. We have waiting lists now and stock is being brought back into use. They should stop demolishing homes now.