Supermarkets, Creamfields, Everton & Liverpool

By Frank Mckenna on Sep 7, 09 08:59 AM

Tesco

News reaches us that Tesco have withdrawn its application to have a store on Hope Street. Those who read my Blog properly recently will not be surprised to know that I applaud that decision, as the location seemed inappropriate and a little odd.
However, before we all start celebrating too much, let us hope that this is not an indication that Tesco have reached the conclusion that so many businesses over the years have sadly reached. That is, Liverpool is too hard. Too hard to do business in. Too hard to do business with.

If this is a one off decision, made because of an understanding of the local sensitivities and opposition to the proposal, fine. But, if Tesco have become fed up with the regular battering they receive from a city that they have invested heavily in over the past decade, then we may be experiencing short term gain for long term pain.

Bring Creamfields home

Last weekend 250,000 people descended on Liverpool to brave a wet Bank Holiday weekend and enjoy the excellent Mathew Street Festival. Elsewhere, 60,000 people were enjoying a different type of music experience over at Daresbury, where the Liverpool entrepreneur James Barton now hosts the annual Creamfields Festival. I know that James has been delighted with the welcome, response and facilities that Daresbury and Halton Borough Council have afforded him and his team. Nevertheless, as the capital of music in the UK isn't it about time that Liverpool made a bid to get this major gig back to our city?

On a lighter note, was I the only one who thought it mildly ironic that the most successful Beatles tribute band ever, Oasis, announced their split on the weekend of the Mathew Street jamboree.

Worrying times for Blues and Reds...

The footy season is well and truly underway, and it has been a disappointing start to the campaign for both of our local clubs. Despite securing their first three Premiership points against Wigan last Sunday, and progressing in Europe, Everton, as I suspected, were only able to spend monies in the transfer market up to the value they received for Lescott. The squad is better for it, but have the Blues been left behind by Man City, Villa and Spurs. I fear so.

Across the park, and my tip for the league, Liverpool, have also failed to strengthen as much as I'd have expected. An injury to Torres or Gerrard and the Reds will struggle. Too early to panic yet, but Liverpool's best hope is that Chelsea blow up in the absence of their African stars who disappear for a month later in the season to participate in the African Nations Cup (and FIFA have seen to it those players can't be replaced in the January transfer window) and that Arsenal are flattering to deceive at the moment. One consolation has been the relatively poor form of Man United, though the other lot from Manchester do look worryingly impressive. They may yet break into the top four, and you couldn't bet on them not replacing Liverpool at this moment in time. That would be a disaster for the club - and for the city.

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