Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool > Reviews (3)

The Circus comes to Town

I was lucky enough to be taken to the Liverpool Echo Arena last May as a suprise birthday present. We went to see Cirque Du Soleil who were superb. (I will do a seperate review on their amazing company.)

I had never been in the Arena before but I have watched it being built as well as the development of the surrounding area, on what was the car park for the Albert Dock.

That area now looks wonderful with the exception of the new multi storey carpark which is an eyesore compared to the other buildings. I hope it looks more in keeping when it's finished!

I mention the new car park because it couldn't be more convenient for the arena. It's about a two minute walk from your car to the doors of the Echo Arena. I think parking for the evening came to £5.00, a bit on the steep side but it is very handy.

The Arena, holding 11,000, was built in 2008 and was part of the development made to mark Liverpool's City of Culture year. It is designed to make the least possible impact on the environment, and is quite a striking design visually. I was quite taken with the idea of using collected rainwater for flushing loos and the turbines on the Mersey to provide power for the complex of buildings. I would have liked to see some more information about these innovations inside the venue. Perhaps there is and I missed it.

Queues to enter were dealt with speedily and humorously(which is fairly normal in Liverpool). There must be a ban on bringing drinks into the Arena because I heard one doorman tell a woman to "Zip your bag up girl, so I can't see those drinks there!" She did. Hmmm!

As we walked in my impression was of space and light, the entrance was pleasant, with fairly neutral concrete type colours and a fair few information posters and displays. We went straight down into our seats quite close to the stage. The seats were not very comfortable but there was a decent amount of space between the rows so they didn't feel too cramped. The concert hall felt like an aircraft hangar to me. It was minimalist and a bit daunting. During the performance it became clear why it was called the 'Echo' Arena, the acoustics where we were seated were not good at all. There was a distinct echo which blurred the music and made it harder to tell what the artistes were saying or singing!
(Just to be clear, it is really named for the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool's daily newspaper.)

The venue was only half full so when I went to the loo in the break I found myself wondering how the place would cope if it were really full. The Ladies' toilets were a bit cramped and none too fragrant. (perhaps we have smelly rainwater!)
I then went to join my husband who had gone to the bar for our drinks. I looked at the tarrif whilst I waited for him and the drinks seemed expensive to me. He had been served quickly and the lager tasted refreshing even though it was served in a depressing plastic cup. We decided to go outside for some fresh air, a smoke (me) and to look at the impressive Liverpool Wheel, a huge ferris wheel situated very close to the arena.

Also, I really am not too keen on being in large crowds and the foyer was very full, I just needed a bit of space, we went to the doors and that is where our troubles began!

The Circus turns into a pantomine

I was absolutely stunned to be told that I couldn't go outside because I wouldn't be allowed in again. I said I could just show my ticket at the door. The doorman said we couldn't go out. I explained why we wanted to go out, he pointed at a sign that repeated what he had just said. I asked why we couldn't go out. He said it was a no smoking area and we weren't allowed out. I said "Okay, no smoking, I still want to go out!" He said "You aren't allowed out." Parrot fashion with no explanation.
This went on for a while with no-one able or willing to explain why we were effectively locked in. I could get no explanation, just a reiteration of the fact that if we went out we couldn't come back in again. I was told that I could have lied and said I had left something in the car, then I would be allowed to go and get it. I am a grown woman. I don't expect to have to make excuses or lie in order to be allowed to walk freely in and out of anywhere, let alone a place I payed to be in!

We had paid £50.00 each (+£13.00 booking fee and postage!) to be subjected to what was essentially false imprisonment and we were made to feel like children who couldn't be trusted. I am still angry. For a place that is designed to be careful of ecological and environmental impact it seems curiously careless of the impact it's rules have on it's patrons. "We'll make your environment better but we won't allow you your freedom to enjoy it." A curious contradiction if you ask me.

I contacted the organisation and they replied promptly and politely but merely reiterated that this was their policy and other venues do it. My equally polite response was that "Everybody else does it" is a facile argument. "Everybody else" doing it still doesn't make it right! At no point was the decision to 'lock' people in explained to me. The attitude seemed to be if you don't like it, don't come. Until this policy is changed I won't be going again. I won't be boosting the profits of an organisation that shows so little respect towards it's patrons.

The emergency doors were all fastened with tape. I imagine it was designed to break under pressure but I don't believe it's presence wouldn't slow down exit in an emergency. It didn't make me feel comfortable to see all the emergency exits taped up. After all, in the event of a mass exodus, it only takes one person not knowing that the tapes will give way, to try to turn around in a panic and the resultant crush could be horrendous.

So what do I think of the show so far?

It is a beautiful space.
It is well staffed with efficient, polite and humorous doormen and women who can't or won't answer a straight question about why the doors are locked. They can turn a blind eye to alcohol being brought in but think it is okay to 'lock' patrons in. Not good!
The seats are not very comfortable, presumably this is to do with them needing to be movable.

The rows felt spacious to me.
The bar is pleasant enough but some seating in that area would make the place more user friendly.
The toilets are clean, a little cramped and a bit whiffy. (I'm glad I didn't have to visit the Gent's!)
The acoustics are poor but might be adequate or even good for a full rock concert because I know the amount of people in a place can make a big difference to the sound.
Parking and public transport is good.
The Arena is fully wheelchair accessible.
It's a very versatile venue and the space inside can be adapted to a variety of shows and events.
Even though it has a floor space of 3,400 metres square it was warm enough. I don't know what it would be like in winter.
It falls down badly on the policy of not allowing customers free access during the breaks and not being able to explain why that policy is in place. I suspect it is simply because it is too much hassle for them to check tickets and they might have to employ a few exra staff. i.e We get coraled as a money saving exercise.

Web site

The Echo Arena hosts a very wide variety of events. For more information and to book tickets, should you still wish to do so, their website address is below. It's an excellent and informative website which unlike the venue let's you in and out whenever you want.

http://www.echoarena.com/

Also published on other sites under a similar name.