Liverpool celebrates after being named 2008 Capital of Culture

MERSEYSIDE was celebrating yesterday after Liverpool’s feelgood factor made it Britain’s Capital of Culture.

Liverpool was unveiled as the national choice for Britain's turn to host the European Capital of Culture in 2008, beating five other shortlisted cities favourites Newcastle/Gateshead, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, and Oxford.

Winning the title will create an estimated 14,000 extra jobs for the city, along with 2.8 billion extra investment and a further 1.7 million visitors, and Liverpool will hope the title will bring it the same image change Glasgow enjoyed when it won the title in 1990.

There were gasps as British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell unveiled the choice at a news conference in London and scenes of joy in Liverpool.

Councillor Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "This is like Liverpool winning the Champions League, Everton winning the double and the Beatles reforming all on the same day and Steve Spielberg coming to the city to make a Hollywood blockbuster about it."

Liverpool's bid leader Bob Scott said: "For the first time for too long, Liverpool will represent Great Britain and we will be the voice of Great Britain in 2008, when hopefully Liverpool will be the greatest Capital of Culture that has ever been seen."

He added: "I feel this is the end of an era for Liverpool. It is the end of the dark days."

Liverpool, which celebrates its 800th birthday a year before the cultural jamboree, based its bid on its architecture, the arts, music, sport, humour and on its people, and was at pains to point out that the city was more than just The Beatles, football and Cilla Black.

It is already undergoing massive regeneration with both public and private money it has received 87.7 million in grants and has more listed buildings than anywhere outside London.

The judges were impressed with Liverpool's regeneration, with projects such as the controversial 4th Grace a new building to take a prominent place on the waterfront skyline, now a UN World Heritage site, and the 980m plan to redevelop the city's retail centre.

Winning will accelerate that regeneration and boost the international profile of the cityJeremy Isaacs, head of the panel of independent judges, said Liverpool had clinched the competition with its stunning dockside developments and city centre and its strength in the visual arts.

"Liverpool looked good, sounded good, feels good to be in and would deliver a really terrific year. If one had to say one thing that swung it for Liverpool, it would have to be there was a greater sense there that the whole city is involved in the bid and behind the bid."