W BOROUGH OF CULTURE 2019
L
WIRRAL REVEALS INCREDIBLE
CULTURAL AND SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2019!
As Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture for 2019,
Wirral will be hosting major cultural and sporting events in
unexpected locations throughout the year, with a programme
based around the themes of discovery, exploration and great
outdoors – designed to showcase Wirral’s magnificent open
spaces, big skies and beautiful coastline to the world. Events
will tell the story of Wirral and celebrate everything which
makes it an amazing place to live, work and visit.
In 2018 Imagine Wirral engaged over 250,000 people and
brought an estimated economic impact of £4 million through
events including the Tall Ships Regatta, Lost Castles and the
Giant Spectacular. Over 500,000 are expected to attend our
2019 events in Wirral this year, with the anticipated economic
impact for Wirral’s businesses growing to £7 million.
Following on from the success of the events programme last
year, 2019 promises to be even bigger – delivering memorable
and surprising events for even more residents, new and
returning visitors whilst providing a growing platform for our
talented creative community.
On Saturday 23rd March, Birkenhead Town Hall and Hamilton
Square will come alive for Animated Square - the first
spectacular event of Wirral’s year as Borough of Culture.
As we move into Spring, Wirral is set for cycling fever as the
incredible OVO Tour Series and Tour of Britain visits for the
very first time on Tuesday 21st May. The unique team-based
OVO Energy Tour Series brings together the best in British
professional male and female riders, including the likes of
British Olympians Ed Clancy, Katie Archibald and Elinor
Barker and gives you the chance to see them in action and up-
close. When the exhilarating competition rides into Wirral, the
circuit will centre around historic Hamilton Square and the
surrounding area. During the daytime Hamilton Square will
play host to cycling-themed activities and events for everyone
16 wirrallife.com
to enjoy, before the professional women’s and men’s races in
the early evening, with highlights of both shown on ITV4 the
following day.
Other Borough of Culture highlights during Spring and Summer
include a spellbinding outdoor spectacle in Birkenhead Park
in May, an exhibition about Wirral’s contribution to maritime
exploration and the ever-popular River Festival which will return
to both sides of the Mersey with spectacular performances,
installations and fun-filled family entertainment. An exciting
line-up of activities and street animation will take over New
Brighton over the first weekend in June with an artisan food
and drink offer along the waterfront to complete the perfect day
out. Look out for art trails, pop-up and temporary exhibitions
in surprising locations including our parks and coastline across
the summer and an exciting season of events as we move into
Autumn exploring the mystery and magic of the skies.
In September, highlights of the British sporting calendar hosted
in Wirral will be the Walker Cup at Hoylake’s world famous
Royal Liverpool Golf Club and a stage of the OVO Energy
Tour of Britain, the UK’s most prestigious professional cycling
event. It will mark the first time that Wirral has hosted the race,
bringing the world’s top teams and riders to the area, along
with national media coverage and a worldwide live television
audience. A special stage, starting and finishing in Wirral is
planned with the organisers to highlight the amazing heritage,
parks and coastline of Wirral to the many television viewers,
while also attracting a six figure crowd to the roadside and
inspiring the next generation of Wirral cyclists to be more
active.
The ever popular River of Light will return in November to the
Wirral waterfront, a fitting end to a fantastic year.
To stay up to date on what’s happening, visit:
imaginewirral.com or follow @imaginewirral on Twitter.