A heritage boss has praised Gary Neville for being "admirably honest" in explaining he made a mistake when first proposing two historic buildings should be bulldozed to make way for his £400m St Michael's development.
She also said she respected the "passion and grit" required to pull off such a colossal project. The scheme, which has been hailed as a ''defining regeneration project', involves the creation of hundreds of new homes, a five-star hotel, a public square, offices, and a roof-top restaurant.
In the original plans, the Sir Ralph Abercromby pub - once a favourite of the city's journalists - and part of the former Bootle Street police station would have been demolished.
However, those behind the project u-turned after lobbying from conservationists. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features Both will now be kept, and the pub - which dates back to the time of the Peterloo Massacre and is said to have been the inspiration for the pub featured in hit BBC drama Life on Mars - will get a full refurb.