The first city that comes to mind when thinking of top shopping destinations is London, right? Well, it might surprise you to learn that Liverpool has some of the most unique offerings in the form of independent boutiques, warehouse-style vintage emporiums and niche stores over 40 years old. When it comes to finding that perfect item that none of your friends could even dream of having, look no further; Liverpool is home to some of the best alternative shopping experiences in the country. Scouse gifts, vintage masterpieces, contemporary design and books older than your nan is easily accessible by train so there’s no excuse. And to top it all off, the places listed ahead also boast inspiring interiors and a whole load of history, heritage and hard-core Liverpudlian culture. *Insert flexed bicep emoji right here.*
Located on Bold Street, Little Red Vintage has been dubbed ‘the home of the hipster.’ But don’t be alarmed. Aside from checked shirts and dickey bows, it sells hard-to-find one-offs that are perfectly tailored to current trends. A real retro hotspot, the quaint store is decorated with antique mirrors and kitsch furniture and holds impromptu £5-for-everything events and kilo sales. At the moment it’s in thrall to the 70s with chic floppy hats and kick flares. It really is a vintage lover’s dream. So what exactly are you waiting for? The Virgin Trains website awaits!
Landbaby? Think Etsy in bricks-and-mortar form. This little gem is situated within Liverpool’s creative hub, the Bluecoat, which showcases talent across visual art, music, dance, live art and literature. Stocking over 30 designers, visitors will find hand-made treasures such as prints, jewellery and homeware. The Landbaby team go above and beyond to make it a central part of the city’s community by hosting arts and crafts workshops where eager DIY-ers can learn how to knit or make the perfect Christmas bauble. And if that’s not enough, it also caters for private parties including baby showers. Imagine how much fun that would be.
Quiggins is located within the Grade II listed building Grand Central Shopping Emporium that previously housed a cinema and later the Philharmonic Orchestra. An impressive interior to say the least, exploring each extraordinary section reveals the most glorious vintage that’s from many an era from the 20s to the noughties. Quiggins is at the core of Liverpool’s Bohemian culture and also tailors to the prominent alt/indie scene that’s prevalent due to the many universities in the city. Well worth a visit while up North, we’d recommend allocating a few hours for rummaging to ensure you find the perfect piece of vintage heaven.
News from Nowhere is known as Liverpool's ‘Radical & Community Bookshop.’ Opened in 1974, it’s been a mainstay on Liverpool’s historic Bold Street for over 40 years and is still as popular today as it was the first day it set up shop. It’s a not-for-profit that sells books of course, but also world music, films, magazines and even old-school band tees. The founders of this iconic place pride themselves on providing literature that ‘empowers and inspires people to make positive changes to the world’. Their staff are all paid equally, there’s no hierarchy, and the team are a pivotal part of Liverpool’s business community welcoming everyone and anyone from all walks of life. What a brilliantly inspiring place to experience. This one’s a must.
Although Utility now has a store in London’s King’s Cross, its roots lie firmly in Liverpool. With three stores around the city, this contemporary design establishment is definitely worth a mooch. Perfect for a gift that’s not in the mundane sock category, it sells everything from homeware to beauty and everything in between. The Utility team show how proud they are of their heritage via Liverpool-themed artefacts including mugs emblazoned with ‘Scouser Born & Bred,’ and ‘Ferry across the Mersey,’ an ode to the song written in 1964 by the legendary scouser himself Gerry Marsden.
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