Steve Rotheram reaction to UNESCO’s recommendation to remove world heritage status from Liverpool waterfront.
Responding to the announcement, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“The Liverpool City Region is a place with a rich and storied history. We are proud of our history and do not shy away from it. But our heritage is also a vital part of our regeneration.
“It is therefore deeply disappointing that this recommendation to remove Liverpool’s World Heritage status has been made today, ahead of the meeting of the world heritage committee meeting next month.
“Many of the sites mentioned by UNESCO are in communities sorely in need of investment. Places like Liverpool should not be faced with the binary choice between maintaining heritage status or regenerating left behind communities – and the wealth of jobs and opportunities that come with it.
“As a host of regional leaders reiterated last week, much work has been done to protect and restore heritage sites and we have made it clear that we do not want to lose world heritage status. I would urge the committee to heed our call to defer any decision and take up our invitation to visit us and see what we are doing collectively, rather than taking their decision sat around a table a long way away from the place it affects.
“I will continue to work with the new Mayor of Liverpool and the city council and I am confident that our city will remain a vibrant and attractive cultural destination – as we rebuild from the pandemic – and will continue to welcome millions of people to our city and wider city region.”
