Has the time arrived that Liverpool Chinatown, once home to the
oldest Chinese community in Europe, has been subject to Disneyfication? Is Chinatown now a carefully controlled
entertainment environment?
The heritage of the merchant seamen is lost in a half empty street
of closed restaurants and a pub that shut its doors over ten years ago, framed
by a derelict building site. Once a year a celebration of pyrotechnics,
illuminations and a fun fair fill the street with thousands of people standing
behind barriers eager to participate in Chinese New Year celebrations.
This year an enormous Disney style cartoon pig has been stuck to the wall of the Chi Kung Tong, one of the most historically important buildings in the seafaring history of Liverpool.
Tourists come and tourists go, take a photograph under the arch
and walk down Nelson Street in search of Chinatown. Driving in the area is
restricted as the roads were blocked off many years ago.
Liverpool Chinatown is an historical neighbourhood the heritage
needs to be protected with a new area designated to build a world class
Chinatown.
'Opera for Chinatown' was a public art installation that
adorned three Georgian terraced buildings in Duke Street and was taken down
last year to develop the buildings. Designed by The Sound Agents the images
told the visual stories of the Blue Funnel Sailors, the forced deportation of
over 2000 Chinese seamen over a period of two days in 1946 and the 200
Liverpool Chinese children who played a role in the 1958 film 'The Inn of Sixth
Happiness'
The Sound Agents are designing a 'Museum in the Street'
detailing the heritage of the area by public demand funded by s106. The
application was submitted in February 2018 due to problems within the Cabinet
the funds have not been released. Consultation has taken place in Chinatown and
the design will be informed by the Chinese leaders.
For fifteen years The Sound Agents have worked in Chinatown on
Arts and Heritage projects which promote good health and wellbeing through
participation and inclusion helping to reduce social isolation.
Conversations and consultation during an oral history on what
people would like in Chinatown have included :
(In no order of importance)
A Bank of China
Site specific Museum/Heritage Centre
To teach heritage skills to wider communities and oral history techniques
Chinese Cookery School and top class Restaurant
Casino and 5* Hotel with swimming pool, sauna and gym
Community Centre with dance floor and stage
Residents of Chinatown social activities and luncheon groups.
Shops and Travel Agency
Car Park
Affordable quality housing for local families and young professionals
Social club for the 15000 Chinese students studying in Liverpool
Peace Park and Buddhist Temple
A Youth Club and Apprenticeships for local residents
Outdoor Market
Road Infrastructure
Break down barriers and open up Nelson Street and connect Chinatown with the Baltic and the city
Young BBC Group and Spokesperson to represent Chinatown
Friends of Chinatown Group