For 180 years, Liverpool's Albert Dock has been a place where people come together. Today, it is one of the city's biggest attractions, drawing tourists from across the globe, families looking for a day out, and generations of Scousers who have watched it evolve over the decades.
As the Royal Albert Dock celebrates its 180th anniversary, the ECHO headed down to ask visitors, workers, and locals what makes the historic destination so special, what they love most about it, and what they want to see from it over the next 180 years.
Diversity and Warmth at the Dock
For Ben Salmon, 27, from Chester, it is the sheer diversity of the dock that makes it stand out. Speaking from Roly's Fudge Pantry, he said the combination of tourists, attractions, restaurants, and shops creates a "warm, welcoming atmosphere".
He said: "I love the diversity the most because obviously you have the tourists coming in from the cruise ships and it just creates a really kind of warm, welcoming atmosphere."
With the Tate, Liverpool Mountain, M&S Bank Arena, and the Wheel all within the wider Dock area, Ben said there's "so many things for people to enjoy".
Ben said: "There are just so many things along the docks. You've got all the restaurants and the shops around the actual inner quay, then if you go outside of the quay, you've got the arena. It's such an 'it' destination. Like, you come here to kind of have a good time and to enjoy it."
Decades of Family Tradition
For Orrell Park couple Bill and Joan Tweedale, the Albert Dock has been part of their family life for four decades.
Bill, 70, said he loves "just generally" walking around, taking in the people and atmosphere, while Joan, 67, said they have been making the trip every Sunday afternoon for around 40 years, first with their children in a pram and now with their grandchildren and dog.
She said: "We've walked around for 40 years now, since we had our children, every Sunday afternoon. Put the babies in the pram, walk around, and now we're doing it with our grandchildren and the dog."
For the couple, it is the dock's history and uniqueness that make it special.
Bill said: "I think it's just uniqueness and its history. You can just walk around and see what it used to be. And the buildings that still stand, it's amazing really."
Joan said: "It's just unique, and it's nice to come and listen to all the different tourists and see them appreciating it."
When asked about their hopes for the area for the next 180 years, Joan said: "I don't think it needs to change. Just keep it as it is, all being authentic. You don't want to be coming trying to modernise it at all. That's not what it's all about."
Friendly Atmosphere and Family Appeal
Meanwhile, for Nick Mitchell, 30, from Chester, it is the independent businesses and the people that make the dock. Speaking to the ECHO from Quay Confectionery sweetshop, he said visitors can come for food and sweets, enjoy a walk, and take in the scenery, but it is the friendliness that stands out.
He said: "My favorite part of the dock is probably how nice everyone is here. I love working here because everyone is so friendly."
Working on the dock, Nick said he enjoys seeing tourists arrive and described it as a "cool place to visit". For the next 180 years, he wants to see even more events and developments that bring people to the waterfront.
Rachel England, 50, from Prenton, was visiting with six-year-old Ottilie, whose favourite part of the dock was the carousel. Asked what she loved about it, Ottilie said: "I love the music and watching it go round."
Rachel said the family had come to see the Nao Santa María ship, describing the educational activities available for children during the summer holidays as one of the things that makes the dock such a great family destination.
She said: "I think it's really good the educational things that the kids can do on the summer holidays. Then obviously, the ice cream and the fair are an added bonus to keep the kids entertained.
"I just think the culture in Liverpool is amazing. I work in the city, and the people are just phenomenal - they're one of a kind. The Albert Dock is very smart and classy. It's got loads of restaurants, it's really good."
International Appeal and Heritage
For Diane Glover, marketing manager at The Beatles Story, the Albert Dock's international appeal is impossible to ignore. Diane, 59, from St Helens, said the dock has transformed from its industrial past into a "thriving leisure destination" welcoming people from all over the world.
She said: "I've worked here for 36 years, and we were one of the first key attractions on the dock, and it's changed so much over the years. You can see the fabulous pictures of what it used to look like back in the day and what it is today, a thriving leisure destination that attracts people from all over the world.
"We see many who are coming into The Beatles Story from America, China, and Japan.
"The docks are a beautiful location and a real sort of shining example of our fantastic heritage and what the city can offer."
Diane added that the mix of attractions, bars, restaurants, and retail is what keeps people coming back.
She said: "I think it's the mix of really good bars, restaurants, attractions, and retail. There's always something new to see on the dock, even the events that they put on around the dock every year. Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music, which is massive, so you see it all around the city, but definitely here on the dock, you always hear music playing. There's always something going on."
Looking ahead, Diane added that she wants the dock to continue embracing its international audience while offering visitors a "true Liverpool welcome".
She said: "I think events coming into the city are really good. Our international visitors are really key, so we're always trying to attract new people to the area and offer a true Liverpool welcome to any visitor wherever they're coming from in the world."
Members of the public are also being asked to share their personal photographs of the dock from across the decades, from nostalgic family days out in the '80s to modern-day selfies on the colonnades. From the entries, 180 will be selected to feature in a permanent digital memory book and on a bespoke Dock Shorts projection at the end of September as part of an exciting grand finale event.
