Business owners say the area has “progressed drastically” in recent years
David Fitzsimmons, 38, opened Furusato Bar & Grill on Westway(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The row of independent stores, cafes and restaurants that now sit next to Jordan Smith’s shop weren’t always the thriving businesses they are today. The bustling street is just one of the indications of how the Sefton town of Maghull has blossomed in recent years.
Jordan Smith, 35, who owns Crescent Liverpool Ltd, told the ECHO how he moved to the area five years ago to open his business after noticing a gap in the market. The dad-of-one said: “We used to have a shop in Preston and we were looking at other shops and this was available.
“There were quite a lot of empty shops around the area when we were looking, especially along this row.
“There has been a huge change since we came five years ago. We opened, then the gym next door did, then shops started opening. It’s become much more of a progressive area, there’s lots of new shops. It’s always booming in the main square.”
Jordan also says Maghull is a “great” place to live. He said: “To live in the area is great, we’re so happy here. It’s got lots of parks for the kids, I just like the area, it’s starting to feel homely already.”
Lots of new shops have opened in Central Square, on Westway in Maghull(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Restaurant boss David Fitzsimmons, 38, who has lived in the area since he was a child, says there has been a huge influx in people moving to Maghull in recent years. He says it’s due to the area “progressing drastically.”
David opened Furusato Bar & Grill on Westway with his wife Jan a couple of years ago. He said: “We moved here [Maghull] when I was two years old, we lived in Walton Vale originally. When I was 16 I started working in restaurants, I worked around Liverpool city centre and then moved to Dubai for seven years. I came back because my dad wanted to open a restaurant, so we found some support and that was it.
“We found this property then me and my partner Jan opened the place. Furusato means home town in Japanese so there was a story about me moving away and moving back for my family. I wanted to be around them in the area, obviously during covid I wasn’t able to see them and people lost members of their family, babies were being born left right and centre and it just felt like I was missing out. Maghull is starting to have that home sense to me.”
David Fitzsimmons, 38, opened Furusato Bar & Grill on Westway(Image: Liverpool Echo)
He told the ECHO how his home town has progressed “massively” in recent years, since moving back. He said: “Over the last few years I’ve started to see more more quaint places open up, my dad opened a deli, The Old Post Office, which is a pub, there is a new coffee shop opening just down there [pointing across the street] and loads of little places are popping up.
“My business partner has opened another restaurant, there is Neptune Brewery. There is a lot now, I’ve noticed it since I moved home, a lot of independent places have opened up and they all seem to be individually owned, which is nice.
“I still think we have a long way to go to catch up with places like Crosby and Formby, and places towards Southport, but I do feel like we will get there, we just need the circumstances around the industry to improve. Since covid things definitely changed and it’s incredibly difficult for businesses in the industry sadly, but we’re still here and trying our very best.”
Since moving home, David has also noticed a “huge influx” in people moving to Maghull. He said: “There are around 400 houses which have been built not far away and another 400 that have been built, near where I live at the other end of Maghull.
“We have seen a really big influx of people moving out here. It could be because of prices or because it’s half decent around here and it’s a very nice area. There are some really good schools and there is an awful lot for people to do and it’s not far from Liverpool if you need it. The area is progressing drastically, we just need a little bit more help from the councils and it could really progress I believe.”
For 18-year-old Kiera Ghandi, Maghull has “everything” you need. She said: “We moved from Kirkby when I was five. It’s a lovely area to have grown up in, it’s really chill and calm. I went to primary and high school here, it was good.
“It’s a good distance to get into Liverpool if you want to get into town, but to be honest there is quite a lot here. We have clothes shops, there is a lot in the square, there’s everything we need here.”