HALTON has been chosen to host part of a major art project which aims to raise awareness of racial justice.

Spike Island in Widnes is one of 10 sites across the Liverpool City Region which have been chosen to host a large globe as part of The World Reimagined - an art project to transform public spaces to reflect themes such as the transatlantic slave trade.

The 10 large globe structures will make up a free public art trail across the Liverpool City Region – of which Halton is a member.

Running from August 13 to October 31, there will be a walking trail of five large globes located around Liverpool city centre, with a further large globe in prominent locations in Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral. One of the 10 globes will be placed at Spike Island outside the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.

The project forms part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Race Equality Programme, which was established by Mayor Steve Rotheram in 2020.

The wider programme also includes a Race Equality Hub which is being co-designed with the local community.  With ring-fenced funding of £3.2m, it is the region’s biggest ever investment in tackling racial inequality.

Halton Council leader Mike Wharton, who is also the Liverpool City Region Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy, said: “This hugely ambitious and thought-provoking project will challenge us all to think about the legacy of our city region’s past and its continuing consequences today.

“The high-profile locations of these globes will ensure that the project reaches as many people as possible and should kickstart a public conversation on the continuing impact of the transatlantic slave trade.

“At the same time, it will be a celebration of creativity and I am sure that these incredible artworks will be a huge attraction for people from across our city region and beyond.

“We should never underestimate the power of culture to challenge, entertain and educate. I can’t wait for the project to open to the public in a couple of weeks.”