There's No Place Like Foam

A mountain of rainbow coloured foam will be taking over part of Liverpool City Centre! 'Island of Foam' is an ambitious, temporary shape shifting artwork will take over Liverpool ONE's Sugar House Steps (near John Lewis) on the afternoon of:- Saturday, 31 August 2024. It has been commissioned by Culture Liverpool in partnership with Global Streets.

The brainchild of German artist Stephanie Lüning, the brightly coloured foam will slowly take over an area of the steps starting at:- 2pm, growing and constantly taking shape, ultimately making the steps disappear.

When it's complete, it's time to get messy as onlookers are invited to explore the artwork and create their very own foam party on the ground level. And as the installation is entirely biodegradable, it will disappear without a trace within hours.

To find out more, head to the Culture Liverpool website, where there will be more information about the artwork, as well as advice for those planning on getting foamy.

The unique exhibit forms part of:- 'The Last Day of Summer' festival which offers a whole host of free, family fun including:- water sport sessions, street performances, crafting, music, silent adventure tours and even access to swan pedalos. To find out more and to book on to some of the sessions, head to the official event website. The festival has been organised by:- Liverpool BID Company, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, Peel Waters and Culture Liverpool.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "Foam is a 1st for Liverpool and this is going to be an unforgettable spectacle. Our Culture Liverpool team is always looking for something different to bring to the City, which not only makes you appreciate a new art form, but also makes you look at an area you may be familiar with, in a whole different way. Island of Foam is a great addition to the overall The Last Day of Summer programme, which will be a fantastic day out for all the family."

Artist, Stephanie Lüning, said:- "In Liverpool you can see the ephemeral character in its architectural contrasts. You have very traditional buildings next to contemporary architecture and lots of construction sites all over Town. I love to interweave the local architecture and its stories to present my vanishing art action in these ever changing public space. But what I love most is, to surprise people- to draw the audience out of their daily routines and comfort zones for a brief moment. Liverpool seems to be the perfect place to implement a colourful and playful pile of magic."

Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "We are thrilled to host the Island of Foam - it's a unique and exciting experience for families, transforming a well-known part of Liverpool 1 into a vibrant sea of rainbow foam. We love exploring new ways to create unforgettable experiences for our visitors, and the Island of Foam is the perfect finale to the summer holidays. We can't wait to see everyone getting involved and enjoying all the activities across the Waterfront!"

Innovative new scheme to lend free bikes to young people opens with Combined Authority backing

AN innovative new project which allows young people to access to free bikes has opened this year in Everton, thanks to funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The L5 Bike Library gives everyone, but especially families with children, from:- 2 to 10 years old, the opportunity to borrow a bike in just the same way they would borrow a book.

Riding bikes has a hugely positive impact on the physical, mental and social development of young people, but the cost of buying and maintaining a bike can be prohibitive for some families. The team at Peloton Liverpool Cooperative, who are behind the innovative new service, believe this is a solution to these issues.

£9,700 in Combined Authority funding was used purchase a shipping container to house the bike library, as well as to install solar panels on the roof, allowing it to be transported wherever needed across the Region.

Backing for the L5 Bike Library is just 1 of the many ways Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Combined Authority are working to make active travel in the Liverpool City Region easier and safer. To date more than £70m has been invested in new and upgraded walking and cycling routes across the Region while funding for all-ages:- cycle safety training has also been ramped up.

Simon O'Brien, Liverpool City Region Cycling and Walking Commissioner said:- "Getting people, particularly young people, walking and cycling is so important. This brilliant initiative in Everton Valley, which is doing amazing things to help families access bikes in a way many of them might not have been able to before, is 1 we're really proud to support."

The bike library provides ongoing support to children people and families as they start on their cycling journey. Helmets and gloves are provided to anyone who needs them, while the library membership acts as a guide on looking after bikes with useful advice on bike ownership.

As and when young people grow out of the bikes they've borrowed or repairs are needed, they're also encouraged:- to bring them back so they can be swapped or serviced.

Daniel Robinson at Peloton Liverpool, which operates the L5 Bike Library, said:- "If you give kids love and bikes, there's no limit to how far they can go. The reception the L5 Bike Library has received so far has been fantastic. It's great to see so many young people and families starting on their cycling journeys thanks to the support we're able to provide here. The backing of the Mayor and the Combined Authority for this project, and ones like it, is going to really help get more people onto bikes."

More information on the L5 Bike Library and how to apply for a membership can be found at:- Peloton.CoOp.