Leonard Eppel becomes a Scouser
The chairman of the company who turned a doomed dock in a rundown area of Liverpool into a breakfast television fixture with an annual audience of seven million visitors and World Heritage Site status has been formally appointed a citizen of the city.
Leonard Eppel CBE has become an "Honorary Scouser" after redeveloping the Albert Dock, which was earmarked for demolition when he took over the Merseyside naval spot in the early 1980s.
It now hosts museums including Tate Liverpool and the Merseyside Maritime Museum, dozens of retailers and restaurants and two hotels among the largest group of Grade I-listed buildings in Britain.
"This award, bestowed on behalf of the people of Liverpool, recognises the integral role Leonard and the Albert Dock Company have played in the regeneration of our City," announced Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram in a ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall.
"He has shown true Scouse determination in the re-development of Liverpool over the last 25 years and is truly deserving of this honour."
Named after Prince Albert, the Dock stored valuable cargo from across the world after opening in 1841, but closed in 1972 after suffering waning fortunes following World War Two.
The Albert Dock Company began regeneration efforts in 1983, persuading Prince Charles to re-open the restored port in 1988.
It was best known for being the location where Fred Talbot would make weather forecasts on a floating map of the UK outside the studio where Richard and Judy presented This Morning between 1988 and 1996.
"I am extremely proud of the role the Albert Dock has played in re-establishing Liverpool as a great city and helping realise this important objective," declared Eppel, who said the strong atmosphere and distinctive architecture of the Dock inspired his plans.
"What does it mean to be an Honourable Scouser? In my view it is having drive and enthusiasm, retaining one’s humour in the face of adversity and, of course, optimism about the future. Liverpool has indeed achieved a dream and has joined the exclusive ranks of a world class destination."
Councillor Eddie Clein, Chairman of the Regeneration Committee during the Albert Dock’s redevelopment, said Eppel's company had "breathed life once more into our unique waterfront."
"I have lived through some of the most challenging of times, having watched the devastation of our Liverpool landscape," he recalled. "This was the point which kickstarted the regeneration of Liverpool, now widely accepted as the biggest regeneration programme of any City in Europe.
"Liverpool owes a debt of gratitude to the vision and passion of this man who certainly put his money where our hearts are when no-one else was willing to take a chance on us."
