Two street traders who have operated pitches on Liverpool's Pier Head for almost 20 years fear they could lose their livelihoods under new city council proposals. Since 2009, Patsy Murphy and Harry Khanijau have run a hot food and drink stall and an ice cream van next to the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal.
Next week, the council's street trading sub-committee could bring their long stay to an end, as councillors will be asked to review their existing permits owing to the waterfront's transformation into a major visitor destination. As a result, Harry and Patsy could be asked to relocate from their pitches from next spring.
Traders' shock at potential move
Speaking to the ECHO, the traders spoke of their shock at potentially being asked to move on. They said they would not be able to keep on their staff at the site should the council end their permits.
In March, a request was received from Angie Redhead, head of city events and halls for Culture Liverpool, asking for the current trading offers in the Pier Head to be reviewed. Under new proposals, no street trading permits would be allowed at the site from April 1.
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. 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."
Family legacy at stake
Patsy, 67, said: "It just makes no sense, there's no valid reasons to do this. When we first got these sites, we were always consulted. We were involved and included as to what was going on. We've never had any issues but after Eurovision everything changed."
Back in 2023, Patsy and her niece Rebecca Molloy were made to leave their spot where they have always run The Deli to make way for traders within the Eurovision Village. To stay would have reportedly cost them £6,000.
She said: "It's really wrong. I've never been ashamed to be from Liverpool like I am now. Everyone we speak to about this doesn't understand. I've been a street trader my whole life, my mum ran a fruit and veg stall. We're not in the way of tourists, they're our customer base."
The committee papers, seen by the ECHO ahead of the meeting next week, 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."
Council's response and next steps
Harry, 73, said he and Patsy chipped in to get electricity installed for their vans at their own expense to keep emissions down. He said: "This is our livelihoods, this is our lives. We run at a loss but we're here on the bad days when nobody is around. We have to pay to have the vans here, I still have three years left to pay on my van."
Harry's dad G.S Khanijau came to Liverpool from India and called the city home. His own son, Anthony, echoed those sentiments with his dad's business. He said: "For us, this is about family. We've traded here for years, my children have been in the van with their grandad, my mother has. It's who we are, it's more than an ice cream pitch." Harry added: "When we got these pitches, we were told to keep our prices affordable, we've done that. We did that to serve the people of Liverpool."
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.
