This is the third cafe this month that has shut in Merseyside
A Small Fish in a Big Pond is based on Water Street(Image: Jess Flaherty/Liverpool ECHO)
A quaint café which was recognised as being one of the best in Liverpool is closing its doors for the final time this week. Nestled among the imposing buildings of the city’s business district is A Small Fish in a Big Pond. The tiny venue is found on Water Street, behind a little black door and down a steps to the lower ground floor level of Oriel Chambers.
The café has called this space home for the last seven years, however, come Friday, July 18, it will close for the last time. Over the years, the venue has established a loyal customer base, many of whom chose to share their reviews on TripAdvisor, where the café consistently received five star ratings.
Many praised the “reasonably priced” snacks on offer, leading to the site being awarded 2020 a Traveller’s Choice Award in 2020.
The café is still picking up accolades in 2025. Just this week, a study conducted by Pens.com, concluded that A Small Fish in a Big Pond was Liverpool’s “best café”. It beat off over 350 cafes across Liverpool when it came to review ratings and the number of customers who left feedback online.
A Small Fish in a Big Pond can be found on Water Street
Taking to social media, owner Cheryl Braham announced the “gorgeous little space” will be closing this week.
She said: “This has been a very positive and personal decision and based mostly around family commitments, but it’s been by no means an easy one.
“I cannot begin to thank you all enough for the incredible support you have given me over the years and the amazing community that this has built within our beautiful little space.
“I have so many people to thank and will do so throughout the week, but firstly, to every single customer who has ever stepped through our door and down the stairs into our lovely little space, returned again and again, or left a review, I would like to thank you.”
A cheese toastie from A Small Fish in a Big Pond(Image: Jess Flaherty/Liverpool ECHO)
Cheryl went on then to thank a host of others, including the landlords and neighbouring businesses. She added: “I’d also like to say that I have loved that so many of you have made the coffee shop your little sanctuary to step out of the hustle and bustle of your busy lives and busy days and take some time to just relax, meet with friends, listen to music, or meet with colleagues.
“Coffee shops are where life happens, memories are made, and ideas are turned into plans, and I am truly grateful to have been a part of this.
A vegan chocolate cake and a slice of carrot cake from A Small Fish in a Big Pond(Image: Jess Flaherty/Liverpool ECHO)
“And it’s come as no surprise to me that it seems it’s not just me that sees the beauty and potential in this gorgeous little space and so this time has come much quicker than I could ever have anticipated.
“So I hand over the care of this wonderful space in this beautiful building, I wish whoever fills it once again the most amazing journey.”
The closure comes after the ECHO reported how football-inspired Café Baggio on School Lane and Chaii in Prenton both closed their doors this month, each citing different reasons.