1. Where do you honestly think Liverpool will be in 2010 and why?

James Barton:

I honestly believe that Liverpool will be close to achieving its goal of being seen as a city of real value. As someone that lives in the south of England and also travels a lot I am constantly being asked about what's happening to the city. It is also worth pointing out that this is not just coming from a potential tourist it also being asked by businesses who are interested in the opportunity that Liverpool is becoming.

Gary Millar:

My HG Wells bit! - As a result of the completion of the Grosvenor/Henderson/Iliad, Kings Dock and Stanley Market developments, Liverpool in 2010 will be the 3rd most popular shopping and tourist destination in the UK. Six new towers will be added to the Liverpool and Wirral skylines. Discussions will falter on the expansion of Liverpool John Lennon airport whilst the much awaited tram link will finally be completed. The average house price will be £375,000 and the first £4 million apartment is sold. The first residents of the Royal Liver Building Penthouses will exchange contracts whilst planners debate the merits of CPO schemes to force the development of eyesore buildings. A local property developer sells his company for £75 million. A Far Eastern (possibly Chinese) billionaire will own Everton football club whilst Michael Owen joins a consortium of investors looking at Liverpool FC's restructuring plans. The creative sector begins to offer serious film post production facilities to rival that of Manchester, Leeds and London. Someone from Liverpool wins a BAFTA and almost wins an Oscar. A new conference and music arena finally opens after its backers receive further public funding. Hovercraft taxis are introduced across the Mersey. The canal link is expanded and a Venice style village is built around the extended canal basin. Giant High Definition plasma advertising screens (interactive of course) are abundant throughout the city and rickshaw style taxis ferry passengers between Chinatown (the bar and club area) and Victoria Street. Donna Berry wins another major art prize and Jason Ancell joins a fashion giant. Steve Macfarlane has retired from VERITAS and sings across Europe - there is talk of Vegas and Butlins. Gary Millar opens his 4th burlesque venue and publishes his 3rd book.

Don Holmes:

I would like to think that Liverpool would be considered on par with other dynamic international locations recognised for their regeneration of extended communities and business opportunities and development. However with current thinking and no one person able or willing to make positive and bold decisions, I am of the belief and fear that we will become an "also-ran".

Where would you like to see Liverpool in 2010 and is it achievable?

James Barton:

There is two things that I wish for in 2010 - The first being that Liverpool is a place in which its residents lives have been changed as a result of the City Culture and the second - that the city has truly arrived as a real cultural provider. A city that can sit alongside the likes of London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin without hesitation. The above is a lot to ask for and could not be possible in short period of time - but I do think it's achievable if the city plays to its real strength in music, sport and art.

Gary Millar:

A destination for tourists, investors and shoppers. Needs a change in Council "culture" - perhaps that's what is meant by City of Culture? Needs imagination! Achievable by being forward thinking, by being happy to take risks and by being reasonable and trusting. The city needs more entrepreneurs / risk takers. We must experiment with buildings, with creative arts and with partnerships.

Don Holmes:

I would like to see Liverpool recognised in the top 10 international locations in the world and I believe that we have been given all the tools to achieve this but the engineers are simply unqualified to us them and again, by the time they have qualified, we may well have missed the opportunity. As in any major program it is far more cost effective to employ qualified Engineers and Directors.

What do you think Liverpool will be most famous for in 2010?

James Barton:

Liverpool will be famous for being the city that created more from very little.

Gary Millar:

Being Positive; for Property Development; for Creative Arts and for New Technology

Don Holmes:

As has been experienced elswhere, speculators move on after the party is over leaving quite often a small business vacuum. I believe if we fail to engage the extended public in developing long term sustainable communities and jobs that's where the City's fathers will be judged and become famous for, by future generations. You only need to ask Mr. Hatton what impact his very short tenure had. "Lest us remember them"