From Liverpool’s overhead railway to Christmas grottos – ECHO readers share what they miss most about the city
Jimmy Tierney and Peter Tierney outside Quiggins in September 2002
Liverpool is a city celebrated for its rich history, culture, heritage, and undeniable beauty from its remarkable architecture, including the Three Graces along the Pier Head and The Bluecoat on School Lane, to its much-loved nightclubs and popular businesses.
While much of Liverpool’s heritage has fortunately been preserved over the decades, the city has inevitably undergone significant change. Although there have been great additions, many places and activities once enjoyed by locals are now gone.
Some of these are only remembered by older generations, while others offer a fascinating glimpse into the city’s past. We have compiled a list of eight things that Scousers miss doing in Liverpool.
The original Quiggins
Quiggins on School Lane
For almost two decades, Quiggins on School Lane was home to dozens of shops that gave a real alternative in the heart of the city.
The centre had to close to make way for part of the Liverpool ONE development, despite a 100,000-signature petition to save it.
Quiggins moved to School Lane in 1988. The four-storey building became home to outlets selling goods from retro clothing to skateboards, surf paraphernalia and jewellery.
Paul Bruffell sad: “Quiggins. The original one where Liverpool One is now.”
Sandra Dibbert said: “This was my favourite haunt. Loved it. It smelled like nowhere else. Also Probe. When I was a child, I loved Blacklers, George Henry Lee’s, and T.J. ‘s at Christmas.
Jane Carey added: “Quiggins! That place was the best.”
Liverpool’s Overhead Railway
The Liverpool Overhead Railway was the first elevated electric railway in the world
Once a key part of Liverpool’s transport system, the Liverpool Overhead Railway was built in 1893 as a response to congestion and increasing traffic on the roads around Liverpool’s giant dock.
The first elevated electric railway in the world, it was a landmark across the city, seeing hundreds of commuters use the service every day. It ran close to the city’s docks, providing cover to those walking underneath it, which is what led to its nickname of the Docker’s Umbrella.
It closed on December 30, 1956. Despite hopes that another operator could be found and that the line could be reopened, demolition of the track began in 1957.
Jilly Cross Ards said: “Overhead railway, that would be a bonus now.”
Yvonne Shepherd said: “My dad travelled on it daily to work in the early 1950s when he was an apprentice engineer. He said it was brilliant, but unfortunately, it wasn’t invested in.”
Shirley Dennis added: “Mum had a school trip on it aged seven, she’d be 89 this year, so 82 years ago.”
Cheap drinks at Slater’s Bar
Slaters Bar on Slater Street in the city centre (Image: Google Maps)
Anyone who grew up going clubbing in Liverpool during the 2000s and 2010s probably has an experience at Slater’s Bar on Slater Street in Liverpool city centre. A rite of passage for students in Liverpool was downing a “Quad Vod” mixed with WKD before heading to the clubs.
The bar, notorious for its cheap drinks, closed its doors in 2021 after 30 years in business.
Jon Harrison said: “Pound a pint seven days a week at Slaters. and pound a double as well.”
Carl Carty said: “Used to get a quad vod and Redbull for less than £4. Used to spend about £30 on a night out.”
Derek Liddell added: “I remember getting three pints and change from a pound!”
The Armadillo Tea Rooms
Martin Cooper, standing outside The Armadillo Tea Rooms in Mathew Street. June 21, 1982(Image: Mirrorpix)
In 1978, The Armadillo Tea Rooms was set up by restaurateur Martin Cooper at the Liverpool School on Mathew Street. A hub for punks, poets, musicians and artists from across the city, it served everything from tea and coffees to an array of vegetarian meals and more.
Christopher David Lean said: “Probe and The Armadillo Tea Rooms.”
Weaverham Trust added: “I loved going to The Armadillo as a teenager in the 80s, thanks for sharing.”
Suzie Barnes commented: “Loved The Armadillo, my sister worked there.”
Sally Webster posted: “Loved going there for lunch. Great food and atmosphere!”
When Scotland Road had a pub on every corner
The former Throstles Nest pub on Scotland Road
Many Scousers can draw some connection to the Scotland Road area in Kirkdale, which was once home to a thriving community. Built in the 18th century, its population swelled in the Victorian era with a large Irish community coming to settle in the area.
With Liverpool’s docklands in close proximity and a number of factories being based in Vauxhall and neighbouring Everton, Scotland Road was seen as the centre point of working class Liverpool. At one point Scotland Road was said to have a pub on every corner, with more than 100 in the wider area stretching across Vauxhall and up into west Everton.
Local shops and businesses also used to line the lively stretch of road. But come the early 20th century, a number of problems arose from the increasing population and area’s limited housing – leading to poor living conditions and a rise in poverty.
Gerard Harrison said: “The old Scotty Road with a pub on each corner.”
Steven Smith added: “I would agree there, I was brought up off Breck Road, and it was exactly the same there.”
The Christmas grotto at Blacklers department store
Christmas Decorations at Blacklers department store on the corner of Elliot Street and Great Charlotte Street in December 1959
Opening in 1908, Blacklers was one of the biggest stores in the country in its day and employed almost 1,000 staff. It was located on Great Charlotte Street and loved by residents across the city.
The store had six floors and a fantastic basement full of all kinds of stationery, but it is mostly remembered today for its Winter Wonderland Grotto and giant Santa Claus.
Helen Brown said: “The proper Xmas grottos in Blacklers and Lewis’s, where you walked through a tunnel with animated fairy story figures before meeting Father Christmas.”
Estelle Porter added: “Oh yes, it was magical. I remember Father Christmas giving me a post office set. My mum said almost every piece of paper in the house was ‘stamped’.”
Robert Owens added: “I worked in Blacklers for three years. Saturdays and school holidays in the men’s department. Great people and the best grotto in town.”
Sallyanne Walton said: “Christmas grotto in Lewis’s and Blackers.”
110s being £110
Pictured Justin Black after he queued for Neon Nike Air Max 95s in Liverpool ONE
In Liverpool, “110s” is the local slang for the Nike Air Max 95 trainer. They earned this nickname because when the shoe was first released in 1995, its retail price was exactly £110.
While their name remains firmly rooted in their original £110 price tag, inflation over the years has driven the standard retail cost of the trainers up to £130 and beyond.
Francis Jones said: “110s being 110.”
Steven Donnelly added: “Eight years I had my originals for, full leather heavy as well, died last year. Contacted Nike about a replacement sole (bubble burst), don’t make them anymore. I’ve seen the same as mine go for £300 plus now as well, have had three pairs since and all lasted about a year.”
The shops that used to be on Church Street
Boxing Day sales on Church Street
Church Street in Liverpool city centre lies at the heart of the city’s busy shopping district. Home to high street staples such as Primark, TK Maxx and Sports Direct, just around the corner from Liverpool ONE and St Johns Shopping Centre, its broad pavements are constantly crammed with shoppers every day of the year, from morning until often late at night.
Church Street has always been a bustling hive of activity in Liverpool’s history, but it has undergone some significant changes over the years. Cars and buses amongst the hustle and bustle of shoppers was once a common sight before the popular street was pedestrianised in 1974.
It was also home to a number of iconic stores which we’ve said goodbye to over the years, such as C&A, Littlewoods, Dolcis, Chelsea Girl, and Woolworths.
Sandra Millertoffee said: “The old HMV on Church Street was great.”
Michael McGreevy said: “Church Street in the early 2000s. HMV, Open, Burtons, Topman, the old Next. And Wade Smith around the corner on Mathew Street.”
Beryl Laithwaite added: “All the old stores around and about Church Street, Blacklers, Owen Owen, Lewis’s, C&A, Littlewoods, to name a few, can still smell the coffee at Coopers.”
Steve Garrett commented: “Cooper’s the brilliant grocers in Church Street. In the 70s, I dug an old Cooper’s condiment pot up from a Victorian dump, which I still treasure.”