For over 30 years, it welcomed generations of customers
Norman Simmons and Co, men’s clothing shop . November 16, 1993(Image: Mirrorpix)
It’s now been over three decades since we said goodbye to a popular city centre store that was once “one of the top names” in Liverpool. Located on the corner of North John Street and Cook Street, gentleman’s outfitters and tailoring specialists Norman Simmons welcomed generations through its doors.
Opened in the late 1960s, the business was started by Norman Simmons, a Savile Row cutter who came to Liverpool from London. Starting off small, Mr Simmons’ knowledge of men’s fashions and business acumen soon made him “one of the top names in the trade.”
Within the first few years, the store had proven a success in Liverpool. On December 29, 1971, the Liverpool Daily Post reported: “In the three years since Norman Simmons and Co opened their premises in North John Street, they have established a high reputation for fine quality suits and excellent value.
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“Norman Simmons and Co are tailoring specialists selling men’s suits on two large floors. On the ground floor is the made to measure department where there is a very large choice of quality suiting. These are cut and fitted by Mr Simmons and hand tailored by a highly skilled staff in the workrooms on the premises.
“Down the wide stairs to the lower ground floor is the ready-to-wear department, which carries one of the largest selections of quality suits on Merseyside.” Many will remember shopping here through the years, whether it be for a work suit or one for a special occasion – or the site looking as it does here in rare photos unearthed from our archive.
Exterior of Norman Simmons and Co on the corner of Cook Street and North John Street. November 16, 1993(Image: Mirrorpix)
Unseen for years, these images, courtesy of our archive, Mirrorpix, capture life at Norman Simmons back in 1993. Here, you can see everything from what the exterior and shop windows looked like, as well as customers passing by and a glimpse of one of the departments inside.
These photos also show what the store looked like in its latter years, as later in that decade, it would close its doors for good. In 1997, the Liverpool Daily Post reported how one of “Liverpool’s best-known” gentleman outfitters was to become a pub.
It had been sold to Whitbread’s for £1m and was to become “one of the biggest bars in the expanding Mathew Street area.” On January 31 that year, the Liverpool Daily Post reported: “Norman Simmons has been there for more than 30 years.
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“It is understood that the sale was completed last week, subject to Whitbread obtaining planning permission to convert the basement and ground floor of the shop into a pub. Stewart Granger of Sutton Granger Leisure, Whitbread’s agents, said: “This is a major acquisition for Whitbread in terms of city centre locations.
“There’s a considerable amount of activity going on in Liverpool city centre at the moment, with all the big players trying to move in and open new bars.” In June that year, the Liverpool Daily Post also printed an advertisement for Norman Simmons’ closing down sale.
At the time, it said their total stock of quality menswear was reduced by half or 75% off all suits, jackets, shirts, trousers, ties, blazers and more. Later opening as a pub, many will remember stepping foot in the former Norman Simmons store when it became the Hog’s Head.
How inside the store looked in November 1993(Image: Mirrorpix)
Years later, it became the William Gladstone pub in 2010. But more recently, the pub has transformed once more. In August last year, the Liverpool ECHO reported how the William Gladstone pub was to reopen as cocktail bar and nightlife spot Be At One
The new Be At One venue came following a “six-figure makeover” which saw the space completely refurbished. A new sign was also erected above the bar’s main entrance. A spokesperson for Stonegate, the pub company that owns the pub, previously said: “Get ready, Liverpool.
“The William Gladstone is set to reopen as the newest Be At One venue after a significant six-figure makeover. We’re bringing a vibrant new look and feel, and a cocktail menu bursting at the seams with over 100 concoctions, offering everything from timeless classics to adventurous new creations.
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“The new venue also has top-tier mixologists sharing their secrets in our epic cocktail masterclasses. We can’t wait to create unforgettable memories with the community in our revamped space.”
It’s now been over 30 years since we said goodbye to Norman Simmons in the city centre. But generations will still remember working or shopping there in its time.