10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Liverpool

Church Street is the main shopping thoroughfare and simply among the best places to go shopping in Liverpool. It takes its name from St Peter’s Church that stood until 1922. Embedded in the pavement is a brass Maltese cross which is a reminder of the street’s earlier religious significance.

Bounded by Lord Street and Bold Street, some of Liverpool’s most important stores are found along its length. Over the years, big names have come and gone. Today, Clarks Shoes, TK Maxx, Primark and the largest branch of Lush in the world flank Marks & Spencer.  

Liverpool ONE is the city’s flagship retail mall that’s anchored by 2 big department stores, John Lewis and Harvey Nichols. Around 170 smaller shops join them, plus a couple of hotels and food outlets. Each part of Liverpool ONE has been given a street name as it would have if it was outside.

Retail at Liverpool ONE is arranged in specialist zones. In the Peter's Lane section, you’ll find high-end retailers such as Kate Spade and The White Company. South John Street, which opens onto Church Street, has an emphasis on clothing.

Metquarter is an upscale shopping mall in the heart of Liverpool city centre. The building was originally used as the city’s post office, constructed in the style of a French chateau until WWII bombs caused irreparable damage to its upper floors.

A £100 million, 21^st-century refurbishment breathed new life into the old site. Today, its high-end stores lend it the nickname “Liverpool’s Bond Street” as it hosts similar brands as that exclusive London street. Among its notable stores are Hugo Boss and Kurt Geiger.

Lark Lane’s eclectic range of boutiques is interspersed with a variety of cafés and restaurants. Don’t miss Freida Mo’s, a vintage boutique and bakery that combines both retro clothing and tasty food under one roof. Just around the corner on Aigburth Road is ARTS Hub 47, popular for its arts and crafts as well as regular workshops.

Lark Lane also hosts a monthly farmers’ market allowing local artisan producers to sell everything from posh cheese to homemade jam. The Old Police House, now a community hub, hosts occasional fairs, flea markets, and festivals.

Bold Street is well known across Liverpool for its independent shops. Along the street, you can browse with confidence if provenance matters to you. For instance, Fair Trade stalwart Shared Earth, which also has a branch in York, specialises in eco and ethical goods. Just down the road, News from Nowhere Radical & Community Bookshop is run by a women workers' cooperative.

Nearby, COW Vintage is worth a look for clothing and a few doors down Dig Vinyl offers a big collection of vinyl, CDs, cassettes and music-related memorabilia. Visit quirky Utility to find cool, one-off gifts or to treat yourself if you’re feeling self-indulgent.

St John’s Market is a covered market that’s centrally located in Liverpool, close to Lime Street railway station. It can trace its history back to 1822, although the current market dates from 1971. The original market hall was demolished over 50 years ago. You'll find more shopping in St John’s Shopping Centre next door. It opened in 1969, making it the oldest of its kind in the city.

The shopping precinct was modernised in 2013. Improved facilities such as Wi-Fi and public toilets have encouraged new stalls to open. Radio City Tower, originally built as a ventilation tower for the market, now broadcasts radio programmes to shoppers. There’s also an observation deck boasting panoramic views over Liverpool.

Mathew Street is a mecca for fans of The Beatles as there are several retail outlets on this street selling Fab Four memorabilia. At the Liverpool Beatles Museum, visitors can learn about the life and works of this iconic band. In the shop, browse rare collectables or pick up a souvenir T-shirt or book.

Wander up the street to the Beatles Shop for a wider choice of merchandise. Try a jigsaw or LEGO model featuring the faces of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Treat yourself to a pair of All You Need Is Love socks or a Yellow Submarine wallet. With a life-size bronze of Lennon himself and the original Cavern Club entrance on the same street, it’s as though Beatlemania never went away.

Cain’s Brewery opened on Stanhope Street in 1858. It was a Liverpool landmark for over 150 years before spiralling debts forced it to close. A multi-million pound refurbishment has rescued the historic building from an uncertain fate.

This mixed-use space now contains creative, performance, and co-working spaces. At its heart is Red Brick Hangar, a large indoor market which supports independent traders, local artists, and start-up businesses. Inside, you can buy everything from dog treats to designer T-shirts.

Reid of Liverpool is an old-school bookstore, which is an Aladdin’s cave for voracious readers. Located on Mount Pleasant, the shop is close to both Liverpool’s universities, though its appeal extends far beyond students. Reid carries over 40,000 titles in stock, including academic, science, fiction, unusual, and even arcane.

The passionate owner is a self-confessed book nerd, happy to be surrounded by books and even happier to share his love of literature to those who pop into the historic premises. When it opened in 1785, it sold tea and coffee. Today, this purpose-built Georgian retail store is the only one of its kind that survives in the city.

Royal Albert Dock is part of the UNESCO World Heritage waterfront in Liverpool. The listed buildings of this former industrial space now house museums and independent stores. Browse homewares, art, fashion and more within warehouses retaining the cast iron columns that are a remnant of the past.

Pay a visit to Tate Liverpool, whose store showcases stylish gifts, art, and books. The shop inside Merseyside Maritime Museum is also worth a look for books, prints and souvenirs inspired by Liverpool’s maritime history. Close by, Liverpool Pictures champions local artists and photographers.