Phil Redmond on the Capital of Culture, being a scouser and why he won’t relaunch Brookie

Phil Redmond is a man who likes to get straight to the point. When I met him at his office at Liverpool Digital on Edge Lane in the city, he told me I had twenty minutes and could ask him anything I wanted. I thought I’d better get a move on then, here’s how it went:

PR: Like most people it’s in our city so I was keeping an eye on it. I didn’t just want to come in and sit on a committee along with the great and the good. I like to do things, I like to make things happen and so I eventually got talked into joining the slimmed down board.

This gave me the opportunity to step up and take on the creative thing and because I’m a scouser I didn’t want to see it fail. I wanted to see it reach its potential. I think it is but part of the initial problem was getting people to feel confident in the project again.

I didn’t just take over it in the September and it suddenly fell into place there have been lots of people working for a number of years to put it together but what I can do is give it a focus, give it a voice, give it a face.

But I’ve also been looking across the programme and making sure that we are getting out into the community and making sure that we are giving people opportunities to participate.

PR: The sigh of relief at the end of it. For me, it was getting through the opening weekend and seeing everybody and feeling everybody on such a high. It was fantastic.

PR: I originally launched it because I had so many people whinging that they hadn’t had any answers so I told them to send it all again. Then the surprise hit came from people who were offering to help and support. I want people to start getting the idea that they don’t always have to come to the public purse all the time to get funding, if it’s a good idea there will probably be someone out there willing to support them and they don’t always need cash. They may need a little bit of encouragement; they might need a tin of paint or a gallery to hang their pictures in. That’s why it’s been launched and we will all see how it develops over the year.

PR: The first of January 2009. No seriously, I think the programme will look after itself and that’s terrific. I’m looking forward to seeing what we create with people and seeing what talent we find.

PR: There’s a feeling of success about it because already people are saying they get it now, they understand what it’s about. We will only judge it as a success in the middle of 2009. I will judge it as a success if we see that confidence translated into people developing other things.

PR: I think we are looking at cultural legacy so I think that the role will flow through into 2009. But how far I can keep up the pace I don’t know.

PR: The high point was getting everything started, seeing the reaction, feeling people feeling good about it.

EK: What would you say to those who feel that you haven’t engaged with the Liverpool people enough?

PR: They should look at what we are doing now and wait and see what happens throughout the rest of 2008. Not The south has lost sight of that, it is the UK Capital of Culture, I’ve spent a lot of my time on that agenda finally getting the BBC and the national media engaged but we still have to work through it again. 2008 is not the be allenough was done to prepare for it but we are doing it now.

EK: Do you feel its embracing the whole country and not just Merseyside?

PR: Its not yet no, it’s beginning to and that’s another kind of flaw I suppose in the preparations for it. and end all it’s the platform for the future.

EK: What made you abandon being a quantity surveyor?

PR: I just felt that there was more to life than carrying bricks and bags of cement. It wasn’t creative enough for me. But it gave me a fantastic discipline and respect for finance, law and logistic management. I think it was time well spent.

EK: Why do you think Grange Hill, Hollyoaks and Brookside have been so successful?

PR: They were about things that people could actually identify with. I think that at their best you could turn on and actually recognise characters and situations. Even when we did our big storylines like the Jordache body under the patio it was rooted in reality all the time. Every time we did something it was rooted in reality. They were always relevant, always 12 or 18 months ahead.

EK: Do you still have plans to relaunch Brookside in the future?

PR: No. Brookside was of its time. I’d say it survived four years longer than TV wanted it. Television itself has changed which I personally think is a shame but that’s life.

EK: And finally, what do you love most about being a scouser?

PR: It’s cool. Being at the centre of the universe gives you a unique perspective on life. I think it comes down to sense of community it’s a city but it’s really a town. I think the accent is one that’s known all over the world.

I just think it’s that sense of belonging and even if you’re not from here you get it, you enjoy the crack. You don’t seem to witness the same relationship in other towns as you do when two scousers come together. It’s a pride in everything.

Two minutes with…

First job?

I was a trainee quantity surveyor in Liverpool.

Best place to do business?

That’s a good question. For me it’s anywhere and everywhere, wherever and whenever the opportunity strikes.

Who is your role model and why?

I don’t actually have one. I’d never had that kind of thing. There have been lots of people who have been supportive of me throughout my career and that’s why I try to be supportive of them. I look for the good in everybody.

Most crucial business lesson learnt?

You’re not always right. You have to adapt when you are wrong. The second best answer you can give to anyone is a quick no.

Any other job?

None.  That would make me sound like a megalomaniac!

What’s parked in your garage?

Which one? I’m not a great believer in the car that does everything. I go for functionality. I’ve got several is all I will say.

Last holiday?

I can’t remember. I’m fortunate enough to have several homes so I just enjoy going from house to house. The last time I went abroad though was to America in 2006.

Favourite food and drink?

I like simple food. I like Diet Coke so I would have to say that that is my favourite drink.

Name three of the most significant achievements in your career so far

Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks.

A day in the life of…

I tend to get up fairly early and potter about doing emails and looking at the overnight phone messages. I’ll then snatch a bit of breakfast and go out and have an early morning meeting with a few people and they tend to roll on throughout the day.

It’s usually meeting after meeting after meeting. I don’t do lunches as I see them as a waste of time; you have to wait an hour to get to the ten minute conversation over coffee. I always try to wander round and talk to people, I prefer to do it that way instead of sending emails as it’s more personal.

I try to attend as many openings as I can in the evenings and give a supportive speech somewhere and then occasionally do something fun like go to the cinema or a concert. There’s no typical day though and that’s what I love about the job.

I like to get out and meet people on their own patch as much as possible which also enables me get a bit of fresh air as well.