In 2008, Costa's Liverpool Bold Street hosted poetry events and readings on the second Monday and fourth Thursday of each month to celebrate Liverpool's European Capital of Culture status.
The Costa Liverpool Poetry Cafe venture was the brainchild of Alex Scott-Samuel, a passionate poetry enthusiast and public health researcher at Liverpool University.
"Ever since we became the European capital of culture, I've been keen to badge Liverpool as England's poetry city," commented Alex. "Liverpool already has a thriving poetry scene but no focal venue for poetry events. Costa's link with poetry through its sponsorship of the Costa Book Awards and the Costa Poetry Award, coupled with its number of stores throughout the city, made it the obvious partner for the Poetry Cafe idea."
The Costa Liverpool Poetry Cafe concept was modelled on the Poetry Society's Poetry Cafe in Covent Garden, London.
A programme of events ranging from readings, discussions and open mic sessions was developed and included events with well-known local poets Gladys-Mary Coles, Aileen La Tourette, John Redmond and Deryn Rees-Jones.
Alex Scott-Samuel worked with poetry groups and societies throughout Liverpool to develop themes and content for events. The project had strong support from the city's libraries who were also involved in generating content and ideas for events.
For more information, contact Alex Scott-Samuel on 0151 724 2777 or alexss@liv.ac.uk
Jean Sprackland, winner of the 2007 Costa Poetry Award, reading in May 2008:
