Liverpool is one of Britain’s oldest ports, recently celebrating its 800 year birthday in 2007, but really came into prominence during the days of the British Empire, when 40 per cent of all world trade came through Liverpool.
Historic trade with continental Europe, Ireland, the Caribbean, and its role in the slave trade between Africa and the Americas has given Liverpool one of Britain’s most ethnically diverse cultures, including the oldest community of Chinese people in Europe and Britain’s oldest Black African community.
Hampton by Hilton provide a cheap hotel Liverpool centre, so you can explore Liverpool’s fantastic Chinatown and other cultural neighbourhoods. Chinese seamen employed by Alfred Holt & Co. were initially provided with boarding houses in the dock areas so that they could spend their leave with people of their own culture and language. Slowly, with increasingly harsh conditions, more and more sailors from China jumped ship and set up stores in Liverpool. Over time, and with the port area bombed in World War Two, the Chinese moved inland.
Chinatown is now based around Nelson Street, Berry Street and Duke Street, where tourists can find a host of Chinese shops and restaurants. In 2000, the 15 metre tall, Chinese archway was brought from Shanghai and assembled at the end of Nelson Street by Chinese master craftsmen. It is the biggest of its kind in the whole of Europe and has become a massive tourist landmark.
In 2008 the city of Liverpool became the European capital of culture, which meant a massive regeneration for the city, Brazilian style carnivals, parades, performances by Paul McCartney and other famous Liverpool bands, and many events celebrating the city’s multicultural heritage and Chinese presence.
By staying in one of the hotels at Liverpool airport, you can see the new Liverpool for yourself. It hasn’t forgotten its people or its history. In fact, it celebrates them!
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