Cains – the Capital of Culture dividend
There’s talk from union bosses, MPs and others this morning about trying to keep Cains afloat, but it all seems pretty grim.
Sudarghara Dusanj told the Post this morning: “There is a very real possibility of the business folding.”
They quote Chris Routledge, an occasional commentator on this blog. Apart from the prospect of his favourite beer disappearing, Chris has just finished the proofs of the his new book Cains: The Story of Liverpool in a Pint.
He may now need to write a another final chapter at least, there may even be scope to tie in the collapse of Cains with a lot of the unease people in the city are feeling about how the post Capital of Culture landscape will look.
The event has concentrated on capital rather than culture. Aside from a lot of shiny new buildings, shops and here-today-gone-tomorrow businessmen, what lasting grassroots cultural value will the city take from this event if genuine Liverpudlian culture like its beer and pubs are gone at the end?
Cains sponsored the Capital of Culture in a deal worth more than £1m – money that could have helped ease the mess they are now in. At the time there was talk of Liverpool becoming some sort of Hong-Kong business powerhouse. The Dusanj Brothers got caught up in that thinking, hence their seemingly doomed expansion.
But there’s a bright side. With all this publicity, Chris’s book could be a Christmas best seller.
Update: Daily Post coverage HERE.
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Well thanks for the plug, but I’d much rather the book was coming out in happier circumstances. When I finished writing it–almost a year ago now–there was scope for quite uplifiting and positive thoughts at the end, but now of course that’s not the case. Having said that the last six years shouldn’t be seen in an entirely negative light. Whatever happens after Capital of Culture, the Dusanjs and Cain’s have helped make Liverpool into a much stronger presence nationally. The city has been ignored–maybe even disliked–for so long I think it is very encouraging that the general feeling outside the city seems to be that the failure of Cain’s is a real tragedy, not just ‘another Liverpool failure’ as these things have so often been presented. After 2008 the work has to continue though, and it will be hard work in the bad economic times that are coming.
One thing I’ve learned in writing the book is just how much we are all part of a bigger story–the Dusanj era comes at the end of a story covering almost two centuries, with ups and downs just like this one running right through it.
Chris Routledge - August 2, 2008 at 10:44 am
A thoughtful response, Chris. However I think there will be a lot of people delighted that Scousers have been knocked down a peg even if they like the beer. So many people say they make a poor pint, nothing special etc, which is obviously not the case. Let’s hope that if the Dusanj era comes to an end you wil lhave to update your book in years to come with the next exciting chapter
southportdrinker - August 2, 2008 at 11:03 am
I still have my fingers and everything else crossed that they’ll pull through. Those who say Cain’s is a poor pint are beyond saving I reckon.
Chris Routledge - August 2, 2008 at 11:57 am
Good piece. A few questions have been asked about whether, as you say, there has been too much capital and not enough culture. On the pub side, my prediction is that one of the big pubcos will buy Cains estate and close the brewery. Hope I’m wrong, though.
Tyson - August 3, 2008 at 8:27 am
Just received a glossy brouchere about classic music at the phil with sponsorship from cains – more wasted cash???
Neighbour - August 4, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Here is a little poem I wrote for my blog about it:
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Raisin Beer and Liverpool Lager will be sadly missed
I can’t think of a better way of getting Brahms and Liszt
Why is it good things are always lost or replaced
It really is a disgrace.
So it’s the end of brewing in Liverpool
Another industry we’ve no part in
Another load of workers, skills and heritage thrown in the bin
The signs are all around, the warning is stark,
Liverpool will end up just another retail theme park.
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Even those that don’t like Cains, must surely recognise that another 1,000 people joining the dole queue in the north west isn’t good for anyone.
newwallasean - August 7, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Fantastic poem – I think Chris will be interested in that one.
You’re right as well, the Cains news comes as about 1000 people face losing their jobs because of the Post sorting office closing
It’s all going wrong for the Pool!
southportdrinker - August 7, 2008 at 6:30 pm
@newwallasean Nice one. Yes, it’s the brewery workers who will feel the brunt of this, most with families to support and planning for the future. Anyone who can remember the early 1980s will be getting very edgy at this point.
Chris Routledge - August 7, 2008 at 8:29 pm