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Cunard Building

The Cunard Building is a Grade II* listed office building on Liverpool's Pier Head waterfront in England, constructed between 1913 and 1916 as the headquarters of the Cunard Steamship Company.^[1] Designed by architects William Edward Willink and Philip Coldwell Thicknesse in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo using Portland stone, it exemplifies early 20th-century maritime architecture with its six storeys, rusticated ground floor, round-headed windows, carved finials, and enriched top-floor detailing including shields and drapery.^[1] Together with the adjacent Royal Liver Building and Port of Liverpool Building, the Cunard Building forms the renowned Three Graces, a trio of Edwardian Baroque structures symbolizing Liverpool's prominence as a global port city during the British Empire era.^[2] These landmarks were integral to Liverpool's Maritime Mercantile City, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 for its innovative dock systems, mercantile culture, and historic buildings, though the status was revoked in 2021 due to urban developments impacting the site's integrity.^[3]^[4] The building served as Cunard's operational base until the late 1960s, managing transatlantic passenger and cargo services that connected Liverpool to the world.^[2] Today, it accommodates various commercial offices across its upper floors, while the ground level hosts the British Music Experience, an interactive exhibition tracing British popular music from 1940 onward.^[2] In front of the building stands the Cunard War Memorial, a Grade II listed sculpture by Henry Alfred Pegram honoring Cunard employees killed in the First and Second World Wars.^[2] The structure's enduring significance lies in its embodiment of Liverpool's seafaring heritage and its role in the city's ongoing cultural and economic revitalization.^[1]

Overview and Context

Location and Setting

The Cunard Building is situated at Georges Pier Head in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, with precise coordinates of 53°24′15″N 2°59′43″W.^[1] This location places it directly on the waterfront of the River Mersey, within the historic docklands area that once served as a major hub for transatlantic trade and shipping.^[5] The site, formerly occupied by George's Dock, integrates the building into Liverpool's former UNESCO World Heritage Site waterfront landscape, emphasizing its role in the city's maritime heritage.^[1] The structure occupies a rectangular footprint, spanning nine bays along its east-west elevations and seventeen bays along the north-south sides, with canted corners enhancing its adaptation to the pier's geometry.^[1] It rises to six storeys above ground, complemented by two basement levels that extend beneath the surface, partly due to the reclaimed dockland terrain.^[6] This configuration results in a substantial, block-like massing that anchors the building firmly within the urban fabric of the Pier Head. As one of the Three Graces, the Cunard Building stands alongside the Royal Liver Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, collectively defining the eastern edge of the pier and framing views across the Mersey toward the Wirral Peninsula.^[5] Its placement underscores the Pier Head's function as a ceremonial gateway to Liverpool's docks, where the building's scale and positioning enhance the area's visual and spatial coherence.^[1]

Significance and Heritage Status

The Cunard Building forms one of Liverpool's iconic "Three Graces," alongside the Royal Liver Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, collectively symbolizing the city's maritime prosperity and prominence as a global trading hub in the early 20th century.^[5] As part of the Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City, the building contributed to the area's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, recognizing its role in illustrating the development of international mercantile culture and global trade connections.^[3] However, in 2021, UNESCO delisted the site due to irreversible changes from waterfront developments that compromised its outstanding universal value.^[7] The Cunard Building has held Grade II* listed status since 12 July 1966, as designated by Historic England, acknowledging its special architectural and historic interest through features like its Portland stone facade, rusticated detailing, and sculptural elements that reflect early 20th-century commercial grandeur.^[1] This protection underscores its enduring representation of Liverpool's shipping heritage, particularly as the former headquarters of the Cunard Line, which epitomized the city's transatlantic passenger trade.^[1] Today, the building's cultural significance is maintained through public engagement, including guided tours that highlight its historical role and architectural details, as well as participation in events like the annual River of Light festival.^[8] Owned by Liverpool City Council since 2013, it continues to anchor the Pier Head's identity as a preserved emblem of Edwardian-era maritime ambition.^[9]

Historical Development

Planning and Construction

In 1914, the Cunard Steamship Company commissioned the construction of a new headquarters building in Liverpool to accommodate its expanding operations during the city's pre-World War I shipping boom, when the port served as a vital hub for transatlantic trade and passenger liners.^[10]^[11] The project was driven by the company's growth following the success of its ocean liners, necessitating larger administrative facilities beyond its existing offices. Site selection focused on the Pier Head waterfront, specifically the former George's Dock, which had been infilled earlier to expand the docklands.^[6]^[12] The architectural design was primarily handled by the Liverpool firm Willink & Thicknesse, with Arthur J. Davis of Mewès and Davis acting as consultant to ensure alignment with the company's vision for a grand, palace-like structure influenced by Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival styles.^[13]^[14] Foundations were laid in 1913, involving extensive excavation and reinforcement of the reclaimed dock site, including the integration of surviving original dock walls into the substructure for stability.^[15]^[16] Main construction commenced in 1914 under the general contractors Holland, Hannen & Cubitts, utilizing a reinforced concrete core for the structural frame to support the six-story edifice amid the challenges of material shortages and labor constraints imposed by the outbreak of World War I.^[13]^[17]^[18] Despite wartime disruptions, including delays from redirected resources to the war effort, the building was completed in 1916 without major design alterations.^[10]^[15] As part of ongoing preservation efforts, a detailed conservation plan for the Cunard Building was initiated in 2008 by the architectural firm Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, in collaboration with heritage authorities, to address long-term maintenance and structural integrity while respecting its historical significance.^[19]

Operational History as Cunard Headquarters

Upon its completion in 1916, the Cunard Building in Liverpool served as the global headquarters for the Cunard Line, overseeing the administration of transatlantic passenger shipping and mail services that connected Britain to North America and beyond.^[20] The facility centralized key operations, including ticket sales, passenger bookings, and executive decision-making for the company's fleet operating across Atlantic, Mediterranean, and other routes.^[21] From this base, Cunard managed support for its most renowned ocean liners, such as the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth, coordinating their deployments, maintenance schedules, and promotional activities.^[22] Daily operations within the building involved a bustling staff of over 1,000 employees at peak periods, handling clerical tasks, hydrographic mapping for navigation, and administrative functions across multiple floors dedicated to managerial and support roles.^[20] Ground-level areas functioned as public-facing hubs for first-class passengers, featuring ticket halls and waiting lounges, while lower levels processed second- and third-class travelers, including emigrant services and medical examinations for transatlantic voyages.^[20] Upper levels housed executive suites and departments for naval architecture, enabling the design and planning of new ships that solidified Cunard's dominance in luxury liner travel.^[22] The building's operations thrived during the interwar period, capitalizing on surging demand for emigration and leisure travel that positioned Liverpool as a primary gateway to the New World, with Cunard transporting millions of passengers in the decades following World War I.^[21] Post-World War II, a passenger boom further elevated activity, as economic recovery spurred transatlantic crossings until the mid-1950s, when commercial air travel began eroding the viability of ocean liners.^[11] By the 1960s, declining bookings led to a contraction in staff and operations, culminating in Cunard's relocation of its UK headquarters to Southampton in 1967 and the sale of the building in 1969.^[20] Notable events at the headquarters included hosting Cunard executives for strategic meetings and maritime ceremonies, such as ship launch announcements and contract signings that advanced the company's innovations in passenger shipping.^[22] These gatherings underscored the building's role as a nerve center for an industry that employed thousands across Merseyside and contributed significantly to Liverpool's economy.^[21]

Wartime Role and Post-War Transitions

During World War II, the Cunard Building played a vital role in civil defense efforts amid the Liverpool Blitz, which targeted the city's vital port facilities from 1940 to 1942. The sub-basement was repurposed as an air raid shelter, accommodating workers from the building and nearby residents during intense bombing campaigns, with facilities including a first aid point and control headquarters marked for emergency operations. This adaptation allowed the structure to serve as a refuge while maintaining essential administrative functions for the Cunard Line, which continued to support wartime shipping logistics despite the surrounding devastation.^[23] The building sustained some damage from aerial attacks, particularly during the Christmas Blitz of December 1940, when bombs struck the Cunard offices, igniting fires within the premises; however, the overall structural impact was minimal, enabling rapid repairs and uninterrupted occupancy. The Imperial War Museums note that while the headquarters experienced hits alongside other landmarks like the Adelphi Hotel, the robust construction—featuring reinforced concrete and granite facades—prevented catastrophic collapse, preserving its integrity for post-war recovery.^[24] Following the war's end in 1945, the Cunard Building remained the company's Liverpool headquarters, supporting operations as the shipping industry grappled with reconstruction and evolving global trade patterns. The rise of containerization in the 1950s and 1960s began eroding traditional passenger liner services, with larger container ships favoring deeper-water ports and diminishing Liverpool's dominance in transatlantic routes, though Cunard persisted with administrative functions amid declining passenger traffic. By the mid-1960s, these shifts prompted Cunard to relocate its headquarters to Southampton in 1967, resulting in the building's partial vacancy and sparking initial discussions on adaptive reuse to sustain its viability.^[25]^[26]^[21] As vacancy loomed, early conservation efforts gained momentum, culminating in the building's recognition as a heritage asset when it received Grade II* listed status on July 12, 1966, under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, highlighting its architectural and historical significance amid urban redevelopment pressures. This listing process underscored growing awareness of the Pier Head's "Three Graces" as symbols of Liverpool's maritime legacy, paving the way for protective measures even as Cunard sold the property to Prudential Assurance in 1969.^[1]

Architectural Features

Design Influences and Structure

The Cunard Building exemplifies early 20th-century classical revival architecture, primarily drawing from the Italian Renaissance palazzo style with incorporated Greek Revival elements and an overarching Beaux-Arts sense of grandeur.^[27] This stylistic fusion reflects the era's emphasis on monumental public buildings that conveyed imperial prestige, particularly suited to a major shipping company's headquarters in a port city like Liverpool. The design's inspiration from Roman Renaissance precedents, such as the Palazzo Farnese, is evident in its robust, layered facade composition, which prioritizes symmetry and hierarchical elevation to evoke stability and permanence.^[28] The building's overall form is a symmetrical rectangular block, measuring six storeys in height with a footprint of nine bays along the principal facade and seventeen bays on the returns, creating a balanced, imposing presence on the waterfront.^[1] Its proportions adhere to classical architectural principles, featuring a rusticated base at ground level with battered walls and round-headed openings, a piano nobile on the second floor marked by balustraded balconies and tall windows, and an attic storey enriched with decorative motifs like shields and drapery, topped by a plain parapet. This tripartite division—base, shaft, and capital—mirrors the columnar orders of antiquity, adapted to a modern office structure to enhance visual harmony and scale.^[1] Structurally, the building employs a reinforced concrete skeleton, an innovative choice for the period that permitted expansive open interiors without excessive load-bearing walls, while the exterior is clad entirely in Portland stone for durability and aesthetic refinement.^[29] This engineering approach allowed for the building's height of approximately 220 feet (67 meters) and its cantilevered elements, such as the balconies, blending American-influenced skeletal frame techniques with European classical cladding traditions.^[29] The design was led by Liverpool-based architects William Edward Willink and Philip Coldwell Thicknesse, who prepared the plans between 1913 and 1916, with significant input from Arthur J. Davis of the London firm Mewès and Davis serving as consultant to refine the elevations and ensure luxurious detailing.^[1]^[30] Willink and Thicknesse's approach integrated local maritime context with international sophistication, drawing on Davis's expertise in grand hotel commissions to elevate the palazzo form to Beaux-Arts opulence.^[31]

Exterior Elements

The exterior of the Cunard Building is clad in Portland stone, providing a durable and elegant finish that enhances its classical appearance.^[1] The facade features a rusticated base on the ground floor, with battered walls and round-headed windows, while end bays continue this treatment for structural emphasis.^[1] Above, the composition includes pilasters that articulate the vertical lines, contributing to the building's Beaux-Arts-inspired rhythm across its six storeys and nine-bay frontage, with 17-bay returns on the sides.^[29] The sculptural program emphasizes maritime themes, reflecting the Cunard Line's transatlantic heritage, with prominent figures of Neptune and Britannia adorning the elevations.^[29] Additional allegorical sculptures depict sea deities, peace, war, storms, and representatives of global races served by Cunard's routes to symbolize the company's worldwide operations.^[29] Maritime motifs such as anchors, ships, and waves are integrated into carved panels and friezes, adding narrative depth to the stonework without overwhelming the overall symmetry.^[29] The roofline is defined by a prominent moulded cornice supported on modillions, crowning the structure with a plain parapet and corner pavilions that provide visual punctuation at the elevations' edges.^[1]^[29] Entrances are highlighted by a central projecting portico on the principal facade, featuring carved animal finials and flanked by simple bronze lamp holders, which draw attention to the building's role as a passenger gateway.^[1] Windows vary by level for decorative effect: the second floor has stone balustrades forming balconies, the third-floor openings include cornices on brackets, and the top floor is enriched with shields and drapery motifs between the frames.^[1] Material application throughout employs ashlar blocks for smooth cladding above the rusticated base, with intricate carving on panels to highlight sculptural details and maintain the Portland stone's uniform texture.^[1] The reinforced concrete core supports this elaborate facade design, allowing for the expansive window openings and ornamental load.^[29] On the west side, facing the River Mersey, the Cunard War Memorial integrates seamlessly into the foreground, positioned directly in front of the building to honor fallen employees while complementing the maritime iconography.^[32]

Interior Design

The interior of the Cunard Building was designed to reflect the opulence of the company's ocean liners, with public spaces on the ground floor dedicated to passenger services and upper levels allocated for administrative functions. The ground floor included a grand booking hall for first-class passengers, featuring a vast, sky-lit space with white walls accented by gilding and decorative ceiling elements such as bald eagles, evoking the grandeur of a luxury liner atrium. Adjacent were arrivals and departures lounges, separated by an entrance hall, all crafted on a monumental scale to handle transatlantic passenger traffic efficiently. Upper floors housed offices for over 1,000 staff, including typing areas, executive suites, and the naval architects' department, with large windows and toplights providing natural illumination to support clerical and managerial workflows.^[33]^[16]^[6] High-quality materials underscored the building's prestige, with Italian Carrara marble prominently used in the entrance hall, grand staircase leading to the first floor, and other public areas for floors, walls, and structural elements. Wood paneling in oak, mahogany, and walnut adorned offices and corridors, complemented by intricate plasterwork ceilings and classical motifs drawing from Greek and Egyptian influences. The former boardroom on the fifth floor retained its original scale and detailing for executive meetings, while basement vaults, originally for secure storage of passenger luggage and valuables, featured utilitarian timber baggage racks. These elements were the work of interior designers Mewes and Davis, known for their liner commissions, in collaboration with architects Willink and Thicknesse.^[34]^[33]^[16] As a Grade II* listed structure, the Cunard Building's interiors have been preserved during transitions to modern office use by Liverpool City Council, with original features like marble finishes, wood paneling, and vaults intact for contemporary functions such as conferences and archival storage. Adaptations have maintained the administrative flow, converting former typing pools and executive rooms into flexible workspaces while safeguarding historical elements against alteration.^[1]^[34]

Cunard War Memorial

Design and Location

The Cunard War Memorial consists of a cast bronze figure of Victory, portrayed as a nude male standing on the prow of a ship, holding a laurel wreath aloft in his outstretched right arm while grasping a shield and drapery.^[35] The statue surmounts a tall, unfluted granite column in the Roman Doric style, approximately 30 feet high, with bronze elements including ship prows on the lower section, a copper capital, and an anchor suspended from a wreath beneath the pedestal.^[36]^[37] These features evoke classical maritime and triumphal motifs, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman columnae rostratae to symbolize naval victory and remembrance.^[35] The memorial's bronze sculpture was created by Henry Alfred Pegram, while the overall design was by architect Arthur Davis, who integrated it harmoniously with the Cunard Building's neoclassical architecture.^[32] The base features the Latin inscription "PRO PATRIA" and the dates "1914-1918" and "1939-1945."^[38] The structure was erected around 1920, serving as a dedicated monument attached to the building.^[37] Positioned on the west facade of the Cunard Building at Pier Head in Liverpool, the memorial directly faces the River Mersey, offering a prominent vantage point over the waterfront and emphasizing its maritime context.^[36] This placement aligns it with the surrounding Three Graces ensemble, enhancing its role as an integral part of the site's historical and architectural landscape. The memorial has held Grade II listed status since 1975.^[37]

Historical Commemoration

The Cunard War Memorial was established to commemorate the 134 Cunard employees who died during World War I out of the 1,550 who served, reflecting the heavy toll on the company's workforce in the conflict.^[32] Later inscriptions were added to honor those lost in World War II, ensuring recognition for sacrifices across both global wars.^[36] This purpose underscores the memorial's role as a tribute to the maritime personnel whose service in naval and merchant operations contributed to Britain's war efforts. The memorial was unveiled on 22 October 1921 by the 17th Earl of Derby in a ceremony that highlighted the company's gratitude and national mourning for the fallen.^[32]^[36] It emerged in the post-war context of widespread remembrance, capturing the maritime industry's profound losses, such as the 1915 sinking of the Cunard liner RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat, which resulted in over 1,190 deaths including crew members and intensified the war's impact on Liverpool's shipping community.^[39] Ongoing maintenance has preserved the site, with restorations including cleaning ahead of key anniversaries like Cunard's 175th in 2015.^[32] Designated a Grade II listed structure in 1975 and amended in 1985, the memorial is protected for its historic significance as a place of public remembrance.^[37] Culturally, it serves as a focal point for commemorative events, including tributes during maritime anniversaries such as the Battle of the Atlantic, and is incorporated into educational tours of the Cunard Building to convey the legacy of those honored.^[40] Positioned on the west side of the building, it remains a poignant symbol of collective sacrifice.^[32]

Modern Use and Developments

Current Ownership and Functions

The Cunard Building was sold by the Cunard Line to Prudential plc in 1969 for £2.75 million, marking the end of its primary use as a shipping headquarters.^[41] In 2001, the Merseyside Pension Fund acquired the property from Prudential for £18.25 million, retaining it as an office space for various tenants.^[42] Liverpool City Council purchased the building from the Merseyside Pension Fund in 2014 for £9.9 million, consolidating ownership under public control to support municipal operations.^[43] As of 2025, the council remains the owner, ensuring continued public sector stewardship.^[44] Currently, the building accommodates offices for staff from both public and private sector organizations, including Liverpool City Council departments and other tenants.^[45] It also serves as the permanent home to The British Music Experience, a museum dedicated to the history of British popular music from 1945 to the present, featuring interactive exhibits and over 600 artifacts.^[46] This mixed-use configuration includes dedicated event spaces on the ground floor, suitable for conferences, weddings, and cultural gatherings, accommodating up to 300 guests in venues like the Cunard Suite.^[47] The adaptive reuse has transformed the structure from a specialized maritime headquarters into a versatile facility without major structural modifications, preserving its original H-shaped layout and neoclassical features.^[45] In daily operations, it functions as an administrative hub for council services such as planning and economic development, while offering occasional public access through the museum and hosted events.^[11] Its Grade II* listed status has facilitated this transition by mandating conservation of key elements during occupancy changes.^[1] By providing office space for essential public services and attracting visitors to the British Music Experience, the building contributes to Liverpool's tourism sector—which generated over £6 billion for the city region in 2023—and bolsters the local office economy through sustained employment.^[48]

Recent Renovations and Events

In 2025, the Cunard Building underwent a significant sustainability upgrade as part of Liverpool City Council's decarbonisation efforts, connecting the structure to the Mersey Heat District Heat Network to provide low-carbon heating and hot water derived from canal water via advanced heat pumps.^[49] This initiative, funded through a £35 million project involving the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, replaces fossil fuel-based systems and is projected to reduce the building's carbon emissions substantially while serving up to 6,700 homes equivalent in heating capacity across connected sites.^[50] Complementing the network connection, the building was fitted with heat retention enhancements, such as improved insulation measures, to further minimize energy consumption and support the city's net zero ambitions by 2035.^[51] Following its acquisition by Liverpool City Council in 2014, the Cunard Building saw post-2013 interior modernizations focused on enhancing office efficiency without altering its Grade II* listed structure, including updates to workspaces and the installation of automated access features to improve accessibility for employees and visitors.^[52] These non-structural changes, implemented progressively through the 2010s and early 2020s, optimized the building's use as the council's headquarters while preserving its historical integrity.^[45] The building hosted key events in 2025 tied to its maritime heritage, including Cunard's 185th anniversary celebrations in September, which featured guided tours of the historic interiors, a pop-up market with over 40 stalls in the Grand Arrivals Hall, and a civic reception coinciding with the arrival of the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.^[53] In October, the River of Light festival incorporated tours of the Cunard Building alongside light installations and a three-day market in the arrivals hall from October 24 to 26, drawing crowds to explore its architecture under the event's "The Science of Light" theme.^[54] Public consultations in June 2025 engaged residents on future waterfront developments, with draft plans for 20-30 years of enhancements displayed at the Cunard Building and input sessions held to prioritize community-focused improvements like green spaces and connectivity.^[55] The consultation, running until August 8, emphasized sustainable regeneration around landmarks like the Cunard Building.^[56] Ongoing initiatives under council ownership have boosted event hosting, such as exhibitions and markets, to promote tourism despite the Liverpool Waterfront's delisting from UNESCO World Heritage status in 2021 due to prior developments.^[4] These efforts, including expanded public access and promotional tie-ins with festivals, aim to highlight the building's cultural role and attract visitors amid the city's evolving heritage landscape.^[57]

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Liverpool's Cunard building returns to its roots - BBC News
Sep 27, 2013 · It is owned by the Merseyside Pension Fund currently and is partially occupied at the moment by a number of small companies. The cruise liner ...Missing: ownership | Show results with:ownership
[45]
Plan Your Visit | British Music Experience | United Kingdom
How to Find Us. The British Music Experience is based in the Cunard Building, Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront. The main entrance is located on Canada ...
[46]
Signature reveals event space plans for Cunard Building
Jun 23, 2017 · Liverpool developer Signature Living has revealed plans for the vacant ground floor space at the city's Cunard Building in a series of CGIs.
[47]
Tourism generates over £6bn for Liverpool City Region economy
Aug 27, 2024 · Liverpool City Region's tourism sector generates more than £6bn; Independent research shows sector grew 21% from 2022 to 2023; More than 60 ...
[48]
Historic Cunard Building to be connected to Mersey Heat Network
Feb 27, 2025 · Liverpool City Council has announced a plan to connect its head office at the Cunard Building to the Mersey Heat District Heat Network.Missing: 2020-2025 | Show results with:2020-2025
[49]
Canal water to heat some of Liverpool's most famous buildings in hi ...
Oct 8, 2025 · Under the plan, an extended pipeline will connect Georges Dock building, the Cunard building, and the Museum of Liverpool, part of National ...
[50]
Liverpool Council HQ to join low carbon heat network - LBN Daily
Feb 27, 2025 · Cunard Building will also be fitted with heat retention enhancements, further reducing energy consumption. The project is expected to save ...
[51]
NHS Office Cunard Building - Record Direct
To automate the existing door at the Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Office in the Cunard Building, Liverpool to provide easy access for a disabled employee.Missing: interior refurbishment modernization 2013-2025
[52]
QM2 arrival marks maritime milestone celebrations - Liverpool Express
Sep 11, 2025 · “This year, as we celebrate Cunard's 185th anniversary, we're proud to open the doors of the iconic Cunard Building to the public like never ...
[53]
Hugely popular River of Light returns with 10 installations plus ...
Oct 21, 2025 · People can also book a behind-the-scenes tour of the Cunard Building HERE. It give visitors the chance to explore the hidden history of the ...
[54]
Liverpool opens waterfront consultation - Place North West
Liverpool opens waterfront consultation ... Throughout the consultation, which runs until 8 August, all documents will be available to view at the Cunard Building and at Liverpool Central Library.
[55]
Liverpool Waterfront Plan: Public Presentation
A draft of Liverpool's Waterfront Plan has been published and is open for public consultation for an eight-week period until Friday 8th August 2025.Missing: June | Show results with:June
[56]
River of Light 2025: Times, parking, route map and installations - BBC
Oct 23, 2025 · The annual event, which sees a light installation trial set up across the city, will begin on Friday 24 October and run until Sunday 2 November.