Toxteth - 25 Years On
Laconic King | 04.07.2006 21:42 | Anti-racism | Workers' Movements | Liverpool
More than £400m has been spent trying to pretty up Toxteth since the riots 25 years ago, with another £130m earmarked for the near future. But unemployment and health problems are still rife, a few trees along Princes Avenue haven't made much difference.
Twenty-five years ago today, Liverpool was making headlines all over the world.
On Friday June 3, 1981, police arrested Leroy Cooper, a black youth, on Toxteth's Selborne Street, watched by an angry crowd.
It lit the blue touchpaper for an outbreak of violence in which three police officers were injured, but worse was to follow.
Over the following weekend, minor disturbances turned into major riots. Gangs of youths hurled petrol bombs and paving slabs at lines of police, who responded with CS gas.
During nine days of mayhem, almost 470 police officers were injured, 500 people were arrested, and 70 buildings destroyed.
Liverpool council claims Toxteth has changed dramatically since an explosion of rage and frustration sparked a nine-day riot in July 1981.
It insists the rebirth of Liverpool's most diverse community is still at the top of its agenda, with regeneration schemes lined up for the 21st century.
But for Laurence Westgaph, who was born in Liverpool 8 six years before the riots and still lives there, the change has not been dramatic enough.
Mr Westgaph, a local historian who campaigns for the Lodge Lane regeneration group, said: "Lodge Lane was once a classic Victorian high street, but shops were demolished and never replaced. The swimming baths went 16 or 17 years ago, which still rankles with people.
"If you look at all the social indicators, Granby and Toxteth are the lowest in Liverpool for health, education and unemployment. It is one of the most deprived parts of the UK.
"After the riots, Michael Heseltine became minister for Merseyside, and the regeneration of Albert Dock was supposed to have an impact on Toxteth.
"But how many people working there now are from this part of the city, and how many of those businesses provide a service to Toxteth residents?"
But the council points to a host of schemes, most notably the £110m Project Rosemary, which led to investment in Liverpool Women's hospital, expansion of Renshaws Factory and establishment of Granby business park.
It also saw demolition of derelict homes in the Falkner estate, new student flats in Grove Street and Stephenson House, opening of Amina House refugee centre and improvements to shop fronts.
About £45m was spent developing housing in the Tennyson estate at Carter Street, Upper Stanhope Street, the Windermere Green area, Mulgrave Street, and Sefton Park Road. More than £18m paid fornew homes and refurbishment of Princes Park estate.
An extra £50m was ploughed into other schemes, such as improvements to Princes Avenue and Boulevard, Toxteth sports centre and Admiral Park sports field.
Council leader Warren Bradley said: "We can be proud of what has been achieved."
Opposition leader Joe Anderson, who represents part of Liverpool 8, added: "Businesses still do not employ enough ethnic minorities and it could potentially lead to a similar situation as 25 years ago, when young people felt excluded and disenfranchised."
Nina Edge, of Kelvin Grove, Toxteth, is leading the fight against the planned demolition of the Welsh Streets.
Ms Edge said: "We photographed the Welsh Streets when this plan was first announced and again recently. The speed at which it is turning into a wasteland is very upsetting. "We have problems with social nuisance, low employment and poor repair and that has been the case for some people's entire lifetime.
"But across Toxteth, people feel very strongly that this area has amenities worth staying for - not the parks or community centres, but the people."
On Friday June 3, 1981, police arrested Leroy Cooper, a black youth, on Toxteth's Selborne Street, watched by an angry crowd.
It lit the blue touchpaper for an outbreak of violence in which three police officers were injured, but worse was to follow.
Over the following weekend, minor disturbances turned into major riots. Gangs of youths hurled petrol bombs and paving slabs at lines of police, who responded with CS gas.
During nine days of mayhem, almost 470 police officers were injured, 500 people were arrested, and 70 buildings destroyed.
Liverpool council claims Toxteth has changed dramatically since an explosion of rage and frustration sparked a nine-day riot in July 1981.
It insists the rebirth of Liverpool's most diverse community is still at the top of its agenda, with regeneration schemes lined up for the 21st century.
But for Laurence Westgaph, who was born in Liverpool 8 six years before the riots and still lives there, the change has not been dramatic enough.
Mr Westgaph, a local historian who campaigns for the Lodge Lane regeneration group, said: "Lodge Lane was once a classic Victorian high street, but shops were demolished and never replaced. The swimming baths went 16 or 17 years ago, which still rankles with people.
"If you look at all the social indicators, Granby and Toxteth are the lowest in Liverpool for health, education and unemployment. It is one of the most deprived parts of the UK.
"After the riots, Michael Heseltine became minister for Merseyside, and the regeneration of Albert Dock was supposed to have an impact on Toxteth.
"But how many people working there now are from this part of the city, and how many of those businesses provide a service to Toxteth residents?"
But the council points to a host of schemes, most notably the £110m Project Rosemary, which led to investment in Liverpool Women's hospital, expansion of Renshaws Factory and establishment of Granby business park.
It also saw demolition of derelict homes in the Falkner estate, new student flats in Grove Street and Stephenson House, opening of Amina House refugee centre and improvements to shop fronts.
About £45m was spent developing housing in the Tennyson estate at Carter Street, Upper Stanhope Street, the Windermere Green area, Mulgrave Street, and Sefton Park Road. More than £18m paid fornew homes and refurbishment of Princes Park estate.
An extra £50m was ploughed into other schemes, such as improvements to Princes Avenue and Boulevard, Toxteth sports centre and Admiral Park sports field.
Council leader Warren Bradley said: "We can be proud of what has been achieved."
Opposition leader Joe Anderson, who represents part of Liverpool 8, added: "Businesses still do not employ enough ethnic minorities and it could potentially lead to a similar situation as 25 years ago, when young people felt excluded and disenfranchised."
Nina Edge, of Kelvin Grove, Toxteth, is leading the fight against the planned demolition of the Welsh Streets.
Ms Edge said: "We photographed the Welsh Streets when this plan was first announced and again recently. The speed at which it is turning into a wasteland is very upsetting. "We have problems with social nuisance, low employment and poor repair and that has been the case for some people's entire lifetime.
"But across Toxteth, people feel very strongly that this area has amenities worth staying for - not the parks or community centres, but the people."
Laconic King