Albert Dock Gets Ready For More Visitors
The Albert Dock benefiting from a new Wayfinding Scheme as part of the Waterfront Connections project that will enable visitors to receive a welcome at the Dock and help them navigate their way around the award winning attractions, restaurants, shops and bars.Gower Street Estates, freehold owners of the Dock, are working in partnership with the Albert Dock Company and the other stakeholders on the estate to deliver the scheme which has been created by award winning design specialists Holmes Wood, one of Britain’s leading designers of directional and information schemes.
The project is aimed at improving visitor flow at Liverpool’s number one visitor attraction. The Wayfinding Scheme completely reconsiders the design, location and content of the signage at the Albert Dock, bringing it up to date with the recent changes in the waterfront area with the opening of the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool and the International Slavery Museum.
The project will include:
- Large internally illuminated brand sign identifying all entry points to the Albert Dock
- Banners at the Albert Dock entrance and opposite the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool
- New directional signs with maps and poster cases located at key decision making points around the Dock
Sue Grindrod, Chair of Gower Street Estates said “We have been working towards the implementation of the Wayfinding Scheme with all of our partners across the Albert Dock in the Waterfront Connections Project, it is vital not only for 2008 but for the future of such an important World Heritage Site to welcome and inform our visitors about what fantastic attractions and venues we have here.”
Alexandra Wood, Project Director of Holmes Wood said “We are delighted to be working with Gower Street Estates to design, develop and implement the new Albert Dock Wayfinding Scheme, particularly as it is such an important World Heritage site and such an important time for Liverpool.”
Joe Edge Director of the Albert Dock Company added “Since the opening of the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, the recently opened Visitor Information Centre has been a valuable resource in supporting visitors to the Dock, with the implementation of the improved welcome and directional signage, the Albert Dock is well placed to benefit long term from the growing leisure and conference tourism.”
The Waterfront Connections project is a co-ordinated programme of infrastructure, environmental and public realm improvements targeted on Kings Waterfront, Albert Dock, Mann Island and the Pier Head, to support major developments underway or planned, and create a waterfront visitor destination of international quality.
Liverpool Vision and Northwest Regional Development Agency are leading the project, working with partners Liverpool City Council, the Albert Dock Company, Gower Street Estates, National Museums Liverpool, Tate Liverpool, British Waterways and Neptune Developments.
What can you find at the Albert Dock?
Attractions: Shiverpool, The Yellow Duckmarine, Fantasia Cruises, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool, the Beatles Story, International Slavery Museum.
Bars, Restaurants and Cafés: Circo, Vinea Wine Bar and Deli, Baby Blue, BLUE Bar & Grill, Babycream, Est Est Est, Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen, Hansel & Gretel's, La Crepe Rit, NOSH, The Panamerican Club, Spice Lounge, Tate Café and Costa Coffee.
Shops: Annabel's Accessories, Apple Centre/Canon, Art 4 You, Whistlefish Gallery, Impressions, Liverpool Pictures, Nature's Treasure, Nauticalia, Quay Candy, Tamzyn Angela Designer Florist, The Gift Company and Wizzard, Inspirations Liverpool.
Hotels: Express by Holiday Inn, Premier Inn
Parking: Parking spaces are available directly outside the Albert Dock and in the new Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool and Albert Dock multi storey car park which is open 24 hours a day.
History of the Albert Dock: The Albert Dock was designed by Liverpool Dock Trustees’ surveyor Jesse Hartley and named after Prince Albert. Work began in 1841 and it opened in 1846.The Dock's warehouses stored valuable cargo from all over the world. Steamers, barges, brandy boats and corvettes (in World War II) all docked there. The dock's fortunes waned after WWII, and it closed in 1972. In 1983 The Albert Dock Company Ltd and the Merseyside Development Corporation began to restored the site to its former glory, breathing new life into a rundown area. In 1988 the Albert Dock was officially re-opened by HRH Prince Charles.
2008 will mark the Dock’s 20th anniversary since it’s restoration in 1988.
1988-1996 Richard and Judy presented This Morning on Granada TV. Their studio looked out onto the Albert Dock. Fred Talbot presented the weather standing on a floating map of the UK; viewers cheered each time he leaped across from Mainland Britain to Northern Ireland.
The Dock has the largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings in Britain and is a World Heritage Site.
www.albertdock.com
