The upcoming Chinatown redevelopment and new Central Village can help give Liverpool retail a boost, according to chair of the Ropewalks Residents’ Association, Peter Schriewersmann.

Speaking on the recently announced £200 million redevelopment of the Chinatown area which will create 200,000 sq ft of retail space and 1,000 news jobs, Peter says: “I think it will help bring more people into the area. Chinatown for various reasons has never fulfilled its true potential.

“This development will give it the kind of trigger to really push and become something that is closer or even better than the residents originally thought it could be.”

Schriewersmann is also positive about the proposed Central Village that will include a six-screen Odeon cinema along with three hotels, adding: “I think that ‘Central Village’ will plug a gap between the independent heart of the Ropewalks [Bold Street] and the Lime Street Station area. Bearing in mind the importance of this main gateway into our beautiful city, it was time to redevelop this important area and entice people over this way [which should benefit everyone].”

He doesn’t believe that the Central Village development would lure customers away from the likes of Bold Street and Seel Street, explaining: “As long as the footfall in the area stays high, as it is currently, and people have a reason to come into the area – we can continue to thrive.

“We have some of the best nightlife spots in the country along with the independent shops, restaurants and cafes. You cannot just recreate this anywhere.”

Speaking on how both developments can help the city, Peter says: “In my opinion it’s about adding new and exciting offerings to the equation, in order to attract even more investment, including shoppers, from outside into Liverpool – not so much rivalry and competition between the various outfits.

“Altogether, Liverpool is stronger with a wider, more varied, offering – and that can only be a good thing to compete with places such as Manchester or London”

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