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Joe Anderson has heralded the new-look proposals for Lime Street as “a fitting gateway to our great city”.

Admitting he was “bitterly disappointed” with original regeneration plans released earlier this year, the Liveprool Mayor has penned his appreciation of the new designs in a comment piece on Liverpool’s Labour Party website.

The Mayor also used the piece to thank campaigners who had sought to save the Futurist cinema for their contribution over how Lime Street should be overhauled.

In March, when developers Neptune unveiled a £35m regeneration scheme for the street, Mr Anderson took to Twitter to describe them as “not very impressive”.

His comments were among those that led Neptune, who are working on the project with Regeneration Liverpool, to review their plans before announcing the revised proposals last week.

Welcoming the updated designs, Mr Anderson wrote: “It is no secret that I was bitterly disappointed with the original designs which appeared earlier this year. I voiced my concerns and urged developers to go back to the drawing board.

“A city of Liverpool’s calibre deserves only the best. We are a thriving, creative, exciting place to be; a place that appeals to the rest of the world. It is absolutely vital that the gateway to the city reflects our ambitions. The soulless designs in March simply didn’t do that but I am delighted to see the latest designs and would certainly welcome them as a fitting a gateway to our great city.

“I would like to take this opportunity thank the Futurist Campaigners for working closely and constructively with the council. Their passion was unquestionable and their constructive contribution moving forward was a great example of how campaigners can work hand in hand with the council for the benefit of the city.”

In pictures: inside the Futurist

Describing the current state of Lime Street as a “massive injustice” to the city, he added: “The situation as it stands means that we are facing an uphill struggle based on an unflattering strip in which initial opinions will be formed. I want people to arrive at Lime Street and immediately understand who we are and what we are about. I want them to step off the train and not want to get back on.

“But sometimes it is just impossible to salvage the un-salvageable, which has been the case with the Futurist.

“I would’ve loved to have rescued The Futurist and had it operating again but the damage was just too much.

“The entire structure is completely derelict – huge gaping holes in the roof are even visible on Google Earth!”

Mr Anderson also said he is committed to protecting Liverpool’s architectural heritage, as well as offering his gratitude to the Futurist campaigners, who yesterday declared their backing for the new plans.

The proposals for Lime Street include a new hotel, student accommodation and retail units between and behind The Vines and The Crown pubs.

A consultation website for the new Lime Street plans has now been launched. Give your feedback on the new designs at this website.

Gateways to Liverpool: how first impressions of our city are set for a huge change