Great Howard Street in Liverpool city centre has undergone significant transformation over the decades. Once lined with pubs frequented by dockers after work, the street now hosts cafes, coffee shops, and a wellness centre. The changes reflect broader shifts in Liverpool's economy and urban development.
Historical Context: From Pubs to Pavement
During the early 1940s, many tenements and smaller pubs were destroyed in the Blitz. As the shipping trade thrived, Great Howard Street remained well-stocked with pubs like The Bull, The King Edward, The Marble Hall Hotel, and the Dock Wall. However, by the 1970s, shipping moved north to Seaforth, reducing the docker workforce. The final blow came with road widening to accommodate the A565 route from Liverpool to Southport, leading to the demolition of many remaining pubs.
Sign maker Ken Bullock, who runs a studio on nearby Regent Street, recalls the bustling docks of the 1950s and 1960s. He told the ECHO: "Every Monday morning from Brunswick dock right down to Seaforth, you couldn't see the pavement because of all the lorries waiting to go into the docks... All the citrus fruit came in... the dockers would just let you pick up satsumas and eat them."
Current Business Landscape: Mixed Fortunes
Steve Swainbank, 63, owner of Liverpool Antique Centre, opened nearly a decade ago with optimism. He said: "To be honest, it's probably been the worst nine years of my life. I mean the first 12 months were absolutely fabulous but then we had COVID and since then it has been really difficult." He cited changes in customer access due to the construction of the Hill Dickinson Stadium as a major issue. "They won't let customers down the streets... When my lease is up in February next year, I'm gone," he added.
In contrast, Marie Williams, 56, co-owner of Stanley's Café with her friend Edward, has seen business thrive. She said: "It has been brilliant since... With all the apartments going up, this warehouse over here, the Titanic Hotel, just so much has changed... it is good for the economy because it brings a lot in, especially with the stadium now." The café benefits from a steady flow of tourists drawn to a nearby doorway featured in a Bob Dylan photo.
New Ventures: Revive and Thrive
Kevin Maguire, a nutritionist who has worked with world champions including Natasha Jonas and Callum Smith, opened Revive and Thrive Health & Wellness Centre on Cotton Street two months ago. The centre offers cryotherapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and IV drips. Maguire said: "We were looking around for months... this building popped up and it fitted us well with everything that's going on with the regeneration of the area... there's nothing around here like this, we'd like to give back to the community."
Council Response to Concerns
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson stated: "We are constantly reviewing the parking controls and Everton FC’s Traffic Management Plan that are in place around the Hill Dickinson stadium on match days. We are trying to strike a balance between minimizing disruption for local businesses and ensuring 50,000 people can get to and from the ground safely. The council, EFC, and their appointed traffic management and stewarding provider, Stadium TM, are happy to have discussions with this business to see if there is anything we can do to address their concerns."
