Those visiting Liverpool will be pleased to know that the city is full of creative and quirky independent stores for you to get lost in. Though Bold Street is known as Liverpool’s Independent Quarter, there’s a scattering of stores to check out. Here are 11 of the city’s best!
News from Nowhere
Bookstore, Shop, Store
Move over Waterstones, News From Nowhere is the best book shop in Liverpool – fact. Opened in 1974, this Bold Street favourite stocks a wealth of literature influenced by powerful people and the content they curate. News From Nowhere’s staff are also paid equally, regardless of gender or age, making this a wonderful community cause to support.
Whiskey Business
Shop
As the name suggests, Whisky Business is an independent shop in the city which specialises in spirits, beer and wine. Operated by the owners of popular cocktail haunt Berry & Rye, here you’ll be able to find a selection of the world’s finest – and often rarest – spirits. Each bottle is includes a handwritten tasting note, making the experience all that more charming.
69A
Originally starting out selling 1950s vintage clothes at Birmingham’s Rag Market, 69A is a staple of Liverpool’s quirky independent trade. Situated on Renshaw Street, you can expect to find a range of antiques, vintage fashion and collectables with prices ranging from 50p upwards.
Another of Bold Street’s indie gems is Dig. Located in the basement beneath another great independent store in Soho, you’ll need to do some digging (not literally!) before arriving here but once you find the entrance you’ll enter a vinyl emporium. Independent Liverpool cardholders also get 10% off purchases over £10… Dangerous.
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While not necessarily an independent shop on its own, The Bluecoat School is more than worthy of a mention. Famously known as Liverpool’s creative hub, The Bluecoat is home to a range of indie shops and performance spaces. It’s well worth a visit.
Quggins at Grand Central
Store
Quiggins is a wonderful emporium of some of the city’s best independent offerings. Similarly to The Bluecoat, Quiggins offers a number of independent retailers under one roof including the likes of Total Recall Vintage, jewellery retailers The Alt Box and Hippy Hole as well as video game store Level Up.
Definitely one of the more quirky shops in the city, Red Brick Vintage is housed within Robert Cain’s Brewery Building. Here you’ll find a range of handmade and timeless trinkets, vintage clothes, hard-to-find LPs and so much more. Get down and see for yourselves!
Lark Lane Gallery
Shop
13 Lark Lane Gallery is a quirky gift shop that sits in the popular area of Aigburth. Whether it’s a unique birthday card, simple gift or an item of jewellery, you’re sure to find that perfect gift for a loved one. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Sefton Park, one of Liverpool’s most beautiful green spaces.
We’ve already mentioned The Bluecoat but we just love Probe Records so much it would be a shame to not mention them separately! Having relocated here in 2010, Probe has been selling records to the Liverpool public since 1971; Pete Burns even had a stint working here.
LIV
Building, Market
One of the city’s newest indie offerings is LIV, an organic food market and vegan eatery on Bold Street. LIV is situated within the old Liverpool Gas Company building. With its already existing imposing architecture, LIV have transformed the interior into an artisan paradise.
Setting up shop in Liverpool and eventually expanding with further gift boutiques in the city and down in London, Utility are one of the success stories in Liverpool’s independent scene. Here you’ll be able to find a splendid selection of contemporary items for the home in their stunning store setting, while their gift shops offer lots of quirky items.
Proudly born and bred in Birmingham, UK, Richard is passionate about all things travel and music. Having founded the regional online music magazine Counteract in early 2010, Richard has enjoyed a versatile writing career and writes for a number of publications, including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Metro and others. If he's not travelling around Europe, you'll often find him supporting his football team, Aston Villa.
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