Staying in one of our Liverpool hotels for a day at the races or to cheer on the Reds? Don’t forget the city’s other much-loved sport – shopping. Liverpool’s city centre is a rich feast for those who love their therapy of the retail kind. Forget trawling around the same old shops you’d find on any old UK high street. Yes, all the major retailers are here, but the city is bursting with independent stores and virtually every scene is covered, from hipster to designer. And rest assured that each item you buy will come with a friendly chat from the person in the queue behind you, totally free of charge.
Shopping in Liverpool
Shopping centres
If you love malls, Liverpool should be high on your list of shopping city break destinations. Its gleaming shopping centres are full of all the brands you know (plus some new ones you’ll love to discover).
The largest open air shopping centre in the UK, a trip to Liverpool ONE is a total must. This shopper’s paradise opened in 2008 and turned Liverpool into a major UK retail destination almost overnight. Make sure you wear comfy shoes – this place is huge. You could easily spend a day here and still not visit every one of its 160 high street and designer stores. Our advice? Book into the Premier Inn hotel at Liverpool ONE to get there early and hit the ground running!
If you don’t fancy shopping outdoors, head to St John’s Centre on St George’s Place. It’s Liverpool's largest covered shopping centre, and has over 100 shops plus a food court. Among the familiar brands there’s an Argos and New Look, but there’s a large number of independent retailers here too, offering everything from fashion to baby clothes. Plus, if you can’t get to Anfield, you can pick up a souvenir from the Liverpool FC store here instead.
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Markets
Antiques and vintage threads, food or gifts... Liverpool does markets so well. So enjoy the buzz and soak up some local atmosphere at our selection of the city’s finest.
A visit to Red Brick Vintage Market in the Baltic Triangle is a must if you love to rummage among all things retro. Set in the iconic Cains Brewery Village, this eclectic emporium is made up of a rabbit warren of stalls that are perfect for browsing. Mid-century furniture, 1970s designer fashion and one-of-a-kind vintage gifts await - and it’s all just a walk from our Premier Inn hotel near the Baltic Triangle.
While the independent shopping scene is thriving all over Liverpool, one of the best places to go is the Bluecoat – the city’s centre for contemporary arts. The beautiful former school is the oldest building in the centre and has an indoor market of retail outlets selling handmade fashion and contemporary craft. It’s also home to the Liverpool music legend that is Probe Records. Once at the centre of the New Wave scene, both Julian Cope and Pete Burns worked here.
It’s lovely to browse Lark Lane’s eclectic mix of independent shops and bohemian boutiques any day of the week, but the hipster enclave also plays host to the Lark Lane Farmers’ Market every fourth Saturday of the month. Open 9am to 2pm, it’s mostly food-based, but it’s a great place to go for gifts, from speciality cheese to jam.
Designer shops
The sheer number of designer boutiques on offer is testimony to just how much the locals love looking their best. With some of the best designer shopping in the North, this is truly a retail powerhouse.
Looking for high fashion style at bargain basement prices? Cheshire Oaks is the place to go. A 30-minute drive from Liverpool in Ellesmere Port, it’s the UK’s largest designer outlet village with 145 shops. Gucci, Burberry, Armani… all the usual suspects are represented here and there are some top name restaurants too, so you can refuel when you’re flagging. And there’s a Premier Inn hotel near Cheshire Oaks if you’ve not got enough energy for the journey home.
Sleek and exclusive, the Metquarter has 45 glitzy boutiques under its glass roof. Gieves & Hawkes, Armani, Timberland, Molton Brown Hugo Boss and MAC… the list of designer brands goes on and on. The jewel in its crown has to be the Flannels store, which has all the latest collections from Dolce & Gabbana and Prada.
Finally, there’s the achingly hip Cavern Quarter on Mathew Street, home to famous names such as Vivienne Westwood, as well as exclusive collections from independent designers based in the city. Head here for From Me to You, Christopher James and the Cavern Hair Boutique.