The next couple of months are a crucial time for Sir Bob Scott, Peter Toyne and all their business mates as they bid for Liverpool to be Euro city of Culture, with visits from panel members and more announcements of big projects. PnP have always been suspicious of the city of culture plan, believing that money was the main motivation for this bid. And with many grass roots arts organisations getting their funding cut as the bid was being launched, our suspicions have proven justified. According to Peter Mearns of the North-West Development Agency 'extra spending by visitors could be as high as £25m in the first year' if the city gets the culture title. Tourism will increase and there will be more jobs in filmmaking, media, computer software and educational services. But we can't help but feel cynical about how much any of this will benefit local people. Indeed, investment has been flooding into the area for the last 20 years but this time the city's economy is expected to grow faster than the national average. How this will effect most ordinary people is still unclear. Council executives, surveyors and lawyers have already made big money in the name of regeneration and more multinational businesses are hoping to move in for a share of the profit. Prestige projects like the new Liverpool 'gateway' by Lime St. will create luxury homes and hotels, and some jobs, but previous experience shows the big bucks will probably end up safe in off shore bank accounts. The trickle down effect was discredited in the days of Margaret Thatcher, yet the poor people of Liverpool continue to have little say in the spending of regeneration money as it piles into the city centre.
In the same way many hard working local artists, bands and writers feel excluded from the Culture bid and related projects. It's a classic example of something that is organised from the top down, by people who don't appreciate the diversity and value of grass roots activities. Voluntary projects and small arts venues are struggling for money while the cultural image of Liverpool is being shaped by councillors, PR firms and other business interests. Culture is produced where ever people meet and by everyone. On this more positive note, check the events section overleaf - but remember put on a tie in case the City of Culture panel turns up!