Pier Head street traders Patsy Murphy and Harry Khanijau face a nervous wait to discover whether they can keep the spots they have held for almost two decades. Since 2009, the pair have operated a hot food and drink stall and ice cream van next to the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal.
Liverpool Council’s street trading sub-committee is deliberating over the future of their livelihoods after hearing arguments to end their stay on the waterfront. In March, a request was received from Angie Redhead, head of city events and halls for Culture Liverpool, asking for the current trading offers at the Pier Head to be reviewed.
Proposals to End Trading Permits
Under new proposals, no street trading permits would be allowed at the site from April 1. Patsy confirmed to the ECHO that she put her case forward to members of the city council in a crunch hearing on Tuesday. While no decision is understood to have been made at this stage, both she and Harry face up to a five-day wait to discover if they will be allowed to remain on site.
According to committee documents, since Harry and Patsy’s original street trading consents were granted in 2009, “Liverpool Waterfront has been transformed into a major visitor destination, with significantly higher levels of footfall and activity”. The documents added: “Key attractions now central to the waterfront offer, include the Museum of Liverpool and there is a maritime themed museum inside the Mersey Ferry which were not present when the original consents were approved.”
Previous Displacement and Committee Arguments
Back in 2023, Patsy and her niece Rebecca were made to leave their spot where they have run The Deli from to make way for traders within the Eurovision Village. To stay would have cost them £6,000. The ECHO understands arguments were put forward by Culture Liverpool to effectively manage the location in a new way which would include potential new traders.
Patsy said she felt the committee had understood the points put forward for her and Harry’s businesses to stay. The committee papers, seen by the ECHO ahead of the meeting, said: “The council recognises that the traders may have made investment decisions based upon their continued operation at this location. However, members are also entitled to take account of the substantial changes that have occurred in the Pier Head area since the original consents were granted and to determine whether the public interest now requires a different approach to the management of trading activities within the area.”
“Members acknowledge that the traders have operated from the Pier Head since 2009 and may have made business decisions based upon the continuation of those arrangements. However, members should note that street trading consents are granted for fixed periods and do not create any contractual entitlement or permanent right to trade from a particular location.”
Council Response and Next Steps
Last week, a Liverpool Council spokesperson said: “The existing street trading arrangements have been in place since 2009, since which the Pier Head has become a destination in its own right thanks to the growth in tourism numbers and cruise liner visits. There are now a wide range of established cafes and venues across the waterfront and it is timely to review the offer at the Pier Head. We are keen to ensure that visitors to the area have the best possible experience and are exploring new arrangements which will give more opportunities to businesses interested in trading from the site. A request is therefore being made to the Street Trading Committee not to renew the two existing street trading consents from April 2027.”
Should it be approved, council chiefs will liaise with both Harry and Patsy regarding potential alternative trading locations elsewhere within the city.
