LIPA students inspired by Bootle’s cultural regeneration during Salt and Tar visit

Management students have gained real-world insight into cultural regeneration during a visit to Salt and Tar in Bootle. 

Salt and Tar is a vibrant outdoor events space in Bootle, which has quickly become the catalyst to the area’s cultural regeneration. Located alongside the canal, it combines the site’s industrial heritage with a modern, lively atmosphere. Since its launch in 2024 it has hosted live music, festivals and community events, transforming a former dockland area into a popular destination for entertainment and social gatherings.  

The site is now under development with expansion plans underway to create a permanent events space for up to 5000 people. It means Salt and Tar’s music festival is moving to a nearby green field site at the Lock and Quay this year. Headliners include Billy Ocean, The Waterboys, The Saw Doctors and Nile Rogers and Chic. 

The first and second year students learned how the venue has stimulated change in Bootle by attracting new audiences. They also explored how Salt and Tar is supporting local creatives and businesses, re-energising public spaces through live events, performances and community-focused programming, and helping to reshape perceptions of the town. 

As part of the visit Bootle’s wider cultural regeneration vision was discussed, including its ambition to achieve national recognition through a future Town of Culture bid. 

The visit was part of LIPA’s collaboration with Sefton Council. Management lecturer Pippa Lea said: "It was so insightful to bring our LIPA first year Creative Management students to visit the Salt and Tar redevelopment site and then to see the site for this year's festival at Lock & Quay.   

“As a practice-led university, taking the students out of the classroom and collaborating with Sefton Council and the team at Salt and Tar has already been so rewarding in terms of opportunities to shadow and work with industry professionals on cultural events across the borough.   

“The students who came on the visit loved the creative vision, standing in a space and imagining what it will be.  Being on site also showed them how vital the surrounding community, the commercial quarter and the residents are when organising and planning cultural festivals and creating cultural centres beyond the city centre.   

“These considerations cannot be taught in a classroom alone, so very we're very grateful to the team for making time for our students, and we wish everyone the best of luck with the Town of Culture 2028 bid "  

Sefton Council and LIPA announced their collaboration earlier this year. It aims to bring fresh creative talent, skills and thinking into Bootle and the Salt and Tar programme, while offering students meaningful opportunities to engage with live regeneration projects. It will also strengthen links between education, industry and place-based cultural development.  

Stuart Barnes, Assistant Director for Economic Growth and Housing at Sefton Council, said: “Engaging students directly with live regeneration projects is a powerful way to demonstrate the impact that arts and culture can have on places and people.  

“By opening up Bootle’s cultural journey to emerging talent, we’re not only sharing learning but also helping to shape future ideas and perspectives that will contribute to the town’s long‑term growth and identity.” 

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