Where’s the Money Harry?

If you have read my previous article, you will know that I did not think it would be a good idea for Our City, Liverpool, to host Eurovision. My point was proved, but I take no joy from it. Being right was not my main concern, as if one is not right, one is usually wrong.

Most, if not all, of my information has come only from Cllr. Harry Doyle’s own mouth and from the mouth of John Hughes, head of Liverpool Nightlife CIC as spoken on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Please listen to my chat with Cllr. Robinson 11/08/2023 on BBC Radio Merseyside. It was unproductive but it saves me time writing here.

After what we were told was a “successful” Eurovision we have this legacy: Cllr. Harry Doyle is no longer the Councillor for Eurovision, he is now the Councillor for Health, Wellbeing and Culture. However, Cllr. Doyle’s neighbouring ward of Tuebrook is suffering from at least two problems:

Lifestyles’ Peter Lloyd Leisure Centre has had its roof fixed; I’ll admit. But it is still not open. Nobody can use it. Lifestyles is not, to the best of my knowledge, Liverpool Council.

There is a massive hole on Kremlin Drive, full of rubbish and rats. The people who live in the vicinity of Kremlin Drive can, however, enjoy Sir Ralph Fiennes playing Macbeth at the Depot. I literally have no idea where that is, but Cllr. Doyle says it is in a prime location and we wouldn’t’ have got Sir Ralph to come here if we didn’t have Eurovision.

The Epstein Theatre in central Liverpool, known for hosting affordable and relatable plays, is closing down. It was never owned by the council but is part of a bizarre system of franchise and land ownership. I do not pretend to be clever enough to understand how this works, but I am simple enough to know that it is not right or just for us, the workers.

To be denied culture, health or wellbeing just because someone else is making money from it is not acting on behalf of local people.

By Chris Haws