WHENEVER a feel-good story pops up about the renaissance happening in Liverpool 8’s Lodge Lane, the odds are the Toxteth Riots will be dragged into it. As though the famous thoroughfare has been in some sort of suspended animation since the eighties, waiting for knights in shining armour to come to the rescue.
The reality is Lodge Lane is changing and it has nothing to do with the riots...
Many of those living and working in Lodge Lane today were not even born when Liverpool 8 went up in smoke. So it was, one television report started with a flashback to July 1981, showing burning cars and buildings.
It’s in the same vein that Liverpool as a city is dragged down to this day because of the Militant era, even though there were only ever a small handful of Militant councillors and the vast majority of people backed and supported the Labour councillors at the time. The turn-outs at election time then were something many of today’s politicians could not even dream about.
Marley's opened on Lodge Lane with Deputy Mayor and councillor Ann O'Byrne and John Barnes The reality is Lodge Lane is changing and it has nothing to do with the riots. It is to do with the fact that people are investing in the area, and transforming the lane into something special.
Just recently Liverpool Confidential broke the news a new food store was in the running for a major BBC Food award, competing against businesses in "posh" parts of the country. The store won the top prize.
Now Liverpool FC legend John Barnes and Rumal Rackley, son of musician and activist Gil Scott-Heron, have opened a new restaurant in Lodge Lane.
They were joined on Monday by Liverpool's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, for the official opening of their Marley’s Restaurant Bar and Grill, named after the iconic singer.
Marley’s has been created by two local young men, Kareem Desmond and Marcus Temple, who have converted the former Masonic Arms into the restaurant which celebrates Liverpool’s Caribbean heritage.
The Marley's teamCouncillor Steve Munby is cabinet member for neighbourhoods and chair of the 1578 partnership. The name has nothing to do with the year some famous event happened, but rather reflecting it covers parts of Liverpool 15, 7, and 8. Any name that needs an explanation may not be the best choice, some may think.
Cllr Munby said: “Marley’s is a fantastic new venture. We have been encouraging new businesses, especially food outlets, to open in the Lodge Lane area – it is really becoming a haven for foodies.
Marleys“It is really encouraging that it is two local men who have opened this new restaurant which adds to the vibrancy of a rapidly-improving area. They are determined to provide employment for local people helping in the regeneration of this area.”
Val Watson, manager of Marley’s, said: “ As Bob Marley said, ’We can make it work by coming together' - let’s make it work.”
Rumal Rackley was in Liverpool for a programme of events centred around International Slavery Remembrance Day. This included the screening of the film Who is Gil Scott-Heron at Fact last weekend, and a Liverpool International Music Festival Commission The Revolution Will Be Live – a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron, at St George’s Hall on Thursday August 27.
