Improvements inside Lime Street Station have been completed in time for Liverpool’s 800th birthday celebrations.

The £2million works, fully funded by Merseytravel, have given the station a much-needed facelift as the city gears up for its birthday festivities and its year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The final elements of the internal works, which involved replacing tiles dating back to the pre-Beatles era on the southern concourse (near platforms seven to ten) of the station and improvements to the car park, have now been completed.

Merseytravel has also hung banners in the southern concourse of the station promoting European Capital of Culture to millions of people throughout the rest of 2007 and 2008.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said: “Our investment was necessary; some of the station has remained untouched since before Beatlemania. We are committed to the people of Liverpool and Merseyside. They deserve a first class rail service – with stations to match.”

Councillor Chris Blakeley, Chair of the Rail Services Committee, said: “Lime Street Station is the first impression of Liverpool for millions of visitors and it is of paramount importance that those visitors, from all over the world, leave the city with fond memories of a world famous station.”

The works include new flooring to the south concourse of the station, new information screens, a relocated taxi rank, pick up/drop off point, extra cycle parking and seating and a new short stay car park with spaces dedicated for disabled people.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, added: “These works are important if Lime Street Station is to reflect the changing, growing face of Liverpool and the wider region.“Liverpool is a gateway not a cul-de-sac and Lime Street Station is key if we are to send that message to the millions of visitors over the next few years.”

New 20” data display screens provide clearer, more defined information for passengers. The taxi pick up/drop off point for the station has been relocated from Lord Nelson Street to the Skelhorne Street. Seven new dedicated drop off and pick up points have been created.

The short stay parking area within the station has been improved and made fully accessible. It now includes 29 spaces including four blue badge spaces. Cycle parking on the Skelhorne Street side of the station has also been improved, with heavy-duty stands for motorcycles.

A Help Point and new seating has been installed.

Minor snagging works may be taking place over the next couple of weeks.