Bold Street

Bold Street has always been seen as the city’s boho procession: with its quirky fashion boutiques, its globally-leaning food stores (the excellent Matta’s) and its independent coffee shops and cafes. It still, just about, holding on to that title, but the lower end of this ruler-straight street is staring to show signs of mission-creep, with chain stores jumbled into the mix. The arrival of a Tesco and Sainsbury’s at the top – opposite the famous St Luke’s ‘bombed-out’ Church are similarly dismaying to may.

Head further away from Liverpool ONE and the rents get cheaper – allowing more colour and character to appear. Try Resurrection (29 Bold Street) for cheap and trendy clothes from the likes of Vans, Carhartt and Jones and Jones.

Ark (9-11 Bold Street) offers label conscious fashions for lads, such as Duck and Cover and Amplified, while Soho’s features dresses, t-shirts and incredibly cheap Levis (80 Bold Street). Try Shared Earth (71 Bold Street) for fair trade gifts and Liverpool-owned Red Lotus for eastern inspired gifts, soft furnishings and boutiquey trinkets (83 Bold Street). A new arrival is vintage clothing emporium Cow.

Foot Asylum (46 Bold Street) is the place to head for the latest trainers, while Oxfam’s huge Art Deco store (35 Bold Street) is always worth a browse, especially for books and records. Talking of records, while legendary Hairy Records may have closed its doors, Dig Vinyl has since set up in the basement of Soho’s (see above).

News From Nowhere is Bold Street’s co-operative run bookshop specialising in radical, socialist, nature, alternative, spirituality, LGBT and children’s books, CDs and events. Well worth a browse. Utility’s two stores feature gifts and crisply designed home furnishings and kitchenwares (60 and 86 Bold Street).

Thirsty? Have tea in Leaf (65-67 Bold Street) or coffee in Bold Street Coffee – the city’s best independent brewers. Something stronger? Have a beer in Bier. Bold Street has more and more eateries – with indies such as Miyagi, Koop, Bakchich, East Avenue Bakehouse, Mowgli, Nolita Cantina, Italian Clubs, Maray and Crust jostling for position alongside old-fashioned curry houses and chains such as forthcoming Five Guys and Subway.

It’s worth making a detour to Renshaw Street for The Olive Tree for new age books, potions, jewellery and gifts, as well as all manner of spirituality and self help guides. 69A specialises in antiques, vintage clothing, ephemera and curious curios from around the world.

Oh, and if you do find yourself staggering down its length at 2 in the morning (as we have) the best chippy on the street is the suitably named Mr Chips (and we’ll have no arguments about this) (43 Bold Street).