One of Liverpool's oldest shopping streets is at crisis point

The thriving city thoroughfare has seen many changes over the years but for shops on the street things seem to be heading in a bleak direction

14:58, 23 Feb 2025Updated 06:10, 24 Feb 2025

A busy Bold Street, Liverpool, despite the shop closures(Image: Liverpool ECHO)

Walking down Bold Street you can’t help but be impressed by the wealth of incredible bars, restaurants and cafes. However, while the city’s foodie scene continues to thrive on this bustling street, a number of longstanding shops have found themselves fighting a losing battle.

The street was one home to the likes of Greenwoods, Rennies Arts and Crafts, Giancarlo Ricci and Mi Vida to name a just few. National chains such as Waterstones, HMV, The Body Shop and Argos could also be found along the cobbles in years gone by. But this isn’t the case anymore and in recent months a number of historic stores have closed their doors for the last time.

Fancy dress giant Smiffys, whose bright red doors have been open on Bold Street for more than 20 years, thanked the people of Liverpool as it bowed out last November. In another blow to the street’s shopping outlets, discount chain The Works apologised to its customers when it stopped trading at the start of this month.

A number of the businesses that have closed have been replaced by food and drink venues – including the historic Rennies Arts and Crafts site, which was later occupied by pizza chain Franco Manca. The slow shift away from shopping and towards food and drink outlets was explicitly referenced in a statement shared by one store when it took the tough decision to close this month.

In a social media statement, Ellis Brigham’s staff said the store said it closed because “the area had changed. We are surrounded by bars and cafes. There are no more shops near us”. The decision came after the company had been operating on the city’s most famous street for over 60 years with its ‘Fab Four’ store.

Smiffys Fancy Dress shop, which shut down last year

Smiffys Fancy Dress shop, which shut down at the end of last year, is being replaced by Spanish cuisine restaurant So Salsa (Image: Andrew Teebay)

And now some of the surviving shops on Bold Street told the ECHO they feel the “future is bleak” and that shopping destinations on the street could be set to “implode”.

With the Bombed-Out Church, St Luke’s, and the bustling city centre shopping district bookending the historic road, the hotspot has long since established itself as a true Liverpool destination. But fears are creeping in that the balance may have shifted too heavily in favour of hospitality venues and away from the mixture of businesses that made Bold Street so unique.

Shared Earth, a quaint gift shop that “flies under the radar”, will be celebrating 20 years on the street in September. Jenny Harland, a 39-year-old living in Wavertree, has been at the fair trade venue since “the first day it opened and welcomed customers through its doors”.

Jen Harland, Tarot reader Stella and Rachel Allen from Bold Street’s Shared Earth(Image: Colin Lane)

The former University of Liverpool student said: “It makes me so sad. There are just not that many who can survive on the city centre street with what rents they are. Retail is a struggle every single day. There are so many forces against you to survive. We’ve lost so many great shops, both chains and smaller independents. The shopping footfall has changed and so have people’s habits.

“I think the influx of restaurants was a good start, but for either to survive, as a vibrant, healthy high street, you need a healthy mix of both.”

Located halfway up the street, Utility has witnessed changes to the area for 25 years now. Director Dick Mawdsley said there “have always been changes in trading patterns and the types of businesses found on the street”.

He told the ECHO: “The move to more cafes and restaurants has been going on for a long time but there are still plenty of retailers all the way along the street from top to bottom. We were sorry to see both Smiffys and Ellis Brigham go as they were great neighbours but in the meantime, we continue to trade really strongly.

Richard Mawdsley in the doorway of his shop, Utility, in Bold Street Liverpool. 2007(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)

“The busy times have shifted slightly with mornings being quieter whilst it gets noticeably busier towards lunch and afternoon as people are coming to dine on Bold Street. Bold Street is still really popular with both local customers and tourists alike and we’re really happy to be there. It will continue to evolve just as Liverpool does.”

Each of the the long-standing stores on the street has a story to tell, and their own unique situations. Take News from Nowhere, for example. The radical bookstore has been there since 1974 and staff member Maria Ng told the ECHO they “don’t have any concerns” about being outnumbered by eateries.

Maria Ng from News From Nowhere on Bold Street(Image: Colin Lane)

She said: “We own the building we are in, so we’re lucky that way. Our mortgage has been paid off. The street is really busy and we have a lot of passing trades from the food venues.

“It’s a great location but it is a pity there is fewer and fewer shops. Seeing the independents shut and dwindle over the years its sad really. We’re constantly busy, especially weekends, and we’re glad and fortunate of that. Touch wood things continue.”

One restaurant that has been on street for a decade this December is Crust. Owned by brothers Paolo and Donato Cillo, the Italian businessmen said “it’s never since to see any shops close” but its a “tough decision” some owners are faced with.

Crust on Bold Street is loved for its wood fire oven

Speaking to the ECHO they said: “We believe the silver lining is that Bold Street offers a great opportunity for new businesses and the shops won’t stay empty for long. Whatever businesses choose to join the Bold Street family must have a strong business plan as everyone knows there is a lot of thriving competition out there.

“It is a fantastic area bustling with creativity and innovation. When Crust opened nine years ago, we had an amazing reception and still have loyal customers today. We love to welcome familiar faces and new guests to our store.”

And a new kid on the block in the area is Boojum. The Irish cult favourite arrived in Liverpool in December, and hundreds of people queued down Bold Street to welcome the new Mexican restaurant. Boojum’s Paul McCullagh said the street “was at the top of list” of areas of interest to open a store.

The queue on the opening day at Boojum Mexican Burrito Bar.(Pic Andrew Teebay).

Boojum’s opening day on Bold Street was very well received

He said: “Bold Street has an eclectic mix of independent eateries, world cuisines, coffee shops and retail units. It’s a hub of energy and a popular destination for students and locals alike which aligns with the Boojum brand and offering, and a makeup we know works well for us in lots of our Irish locations.

“We are loving being on Bold Street. The reception we have had from the city to us opening has been phenomenal, but the community within Bold St. really is something special and our neighbours have been nothing but welcoming and supportive.

“Our opening was our top performing week one sales of any of our four GB stores, so it was great to see the vocal supporters coming to Liverpool turnout and pass through the doors. We’re delighted to be trading here and are very optimistic about the opportunity that lies ahead here for us.”