{"id":509278,"date":"2025-10-18T11:19:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T11:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/509278\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T11:19:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T11:19:17","slug":"three-liverpool-institutions-gone-after-years-of-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/509278\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Liverpool institutions gone after years of service"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A historic venue said it was &#8220;heartbroken&#8221; to close<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Liverpool-Male-Voice-Choir-concert-for-Ukraine-at-Wavertree-Town-Hall-Photo-by-Colin-Lanej.jpg\" alt=\"Wavertree Town Hall is closed for good\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Wavertree Town Hall is closed for good(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Three Liverpool institutions have closed, relocated or are on the cusp of doing so after years of service. While their departures took many by surprise, the city also welcomed<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> new businesses<\/a> with hundreds turning out to celebrate the openings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Liverpool&#8217;s legendary live music and nightlife venue<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/iconic-liverpool-bar-music-venue-20238635\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> The Zanzibar Club<\/a> is set to close after 35 years.<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/clubs\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> The club<\/a> opened in 1990 and is well known across the city for championing grassroots music and hosting a range of rock and alternative music.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Over the years,<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/iconic-liverpool-bar-music-venue-20238635\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> The Zanzibar Club<\/a> has played host to stars such as The Kooks, Miles Kane, Noel Gallagher and The Libertines. Known for its two distinct areas, the venue could hold 300 people, giving it an intimate atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/music-nightlife-news\/iconic-liverpool-music-venue-zanzibar-32664588\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">The Zanzibar Club <\/a>will officially mark its final day on November 1. After that date, Zanzibar band performances will move a few hundred yards away to the basement of Heebie Jeebies on Seel Street in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-city-centre\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool City Centre<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">A new name for this live music basement venue at Heebies will be announced soon. The basement at Heebies has been a popular spot in the city for live music nights and an investment will now be made into making this accessible even more across each week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/music-nightlife-news\/iconic-liverpool-music-venue-zanzibar-32664588\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">The Zanzibar Club<\/a> is going to be refurbished and more information about its future will be announced in soon.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Zanzibar-on-Seel-Street-Liverpool-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\" alt=\"Zanzibar on Seel Street, Liverpool.\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Zanzibar on Seel Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wavertree\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Wavertree<\/a> Town Hall was &#8220;heartbroken&#8221; to announce the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-restaurants\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">restaurant, bar and function space<\/a> has permanently closed. The community venue has endured a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/inside-newly-transformed-wavertree-town-18762787\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">challenging history<\/a> and thanked guests for their support over the past five years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Former Gusto <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/albert-dock\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Albert Dock<\/a> manager<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/inside-newly-transformed-wavertree-town-18762787\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> Lisa Dixon<\/a> and her business partner<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/inside-newly-transformed-wavertree-town-18762787\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">, Natalie Doughty<\/a>, took on the challenge of reviving the building and did so with great success in 2020. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/inside-newly-transformed-wavertree-town-18762787\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Wavertree Town Hall <\/a>issued a message to guests confirming the venue has shut its doors for good on Monday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Th<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/shopping\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">e Warhammer shop<\/a> at Liverpool Central railway station has also gone, removing its signage and closing shutters to its long-time home to begin a new chapter elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/shopping\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Warhammer<\/a> stores offer a wide range of miniature collectibles, books, paints and hobby items coming from the fantasy Warhammer world. Retail locations also provided fans with a chance to play the tabletop battle game in person with dedicated on-site spaces.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">However, the company has found a new home in St Johns Shopping Centre, opposite Flannels on Houghton Street, where fans can continue to shop.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Warhammer-closed-in-Liverpool-Central-Station.jpg\" alt=\"Warhammer in Liverpool Central has closed\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Warhammer in Liverpool Central has closed(Image: christopher megrath)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">In more positive news, long queues formed on Bebington Road, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wirral\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">New Ferry<\/a>, for sweet treats and baked goods. Notices were even placed on shutters outside informing customers their wait times may take up to an hour at specific points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The long wait was to welcome beloved bakery <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/bakery-famous-pies-issues-its-31482392\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Griffiths<\/a> back to the scene after an eight year absence. On March 25, 2017, the Homes in Style furniture store blew up in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wirral\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">New Ferry, <\/a>levelling dozens of properties, closing several businesses, and injuring 81 people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">One of the businesses that was destroyed was Griffiths; a local bakery which was well-known in the area, particularly for its chicken and ham pies. Dave Griffiths, who founded the shop, had begun efforts to reopen but sadly died before he could do so.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">In order to &#8220;carry on his legacy&#8221;, his daughter<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/bakery-famous-pies-issues-its-31482392\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> Fiona Griffiths <\/a>and her business partner<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/bakery-famous-pies-issues-its-31482392\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> Ritchie Hyland<\/a> have marched on with his plans to revive the business, which finally returned last week with hundreds of customers waiting eagerly to get in.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Griffiths-Bakery-set-to-reopen-on-Bebington-Road-in-New-Ferry-pictured-Fiona-Griffiths-and-Ritchie.jpeg\" alt=\"Fiona Griffiths and Ritchie Hyland from Griffiths bakery\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Fiona Griffiths and Ritchie Hyland from Griffiths bakery(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The demand showed no signs of slowing down as huge queues formed at the bakery for cream doughnuts, eclairs and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The long-awaited relaunch of the city&#8217;s Sports Direct store also saw massive crowds as people came out to shop and watch England Liverpool FC legend John Barnes cut the ribbon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The flagship store includes a full Everlast Gym+ complete with premium facilities, as well as a HYROX Performance Centre &#8211; said to be a first of its kind in the city.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The store is part of the brand\u2019s vision to create stores where people both shop and workout &#8211; a destination where <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/whats-on-news\/everything-know-sports-direct-opens-32681977\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">sport, performance, wellness and style are part of the same experience.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">More new businesses are on the horizon, with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/wilder-sister-royal-albert-dock-32668474\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mexican restaurant Madre<\/a> announcing a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/wilder-sister-royal-albert-dock-32668474\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">new bar and entertainment facility on Hanover Street<\/a>, celebrity favourite <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/manchester-favourite-celebrity-customers-announces-32666507\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Jerk Junction confirming its Liverpool opening date<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/food-drink-news\/bar-closed-signs-removed-changes-32673979\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Ranelagh&#8217;s Tavern expanding to Penny Lane.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A historic venue said it was &#8220;heartbroken&#8221; to closeWavertree Town Hall is closed for good(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":509279,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[748,393,4884,179,8922,2349,8899,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-509278","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-liverpool","12":"tag-liverpool-bars","13":"tag-liverpool-city-centre","14":"tag-liverpool-restaurants","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/509278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=509278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/509278\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/509279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=509278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=509278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=509278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}