Set back from the busy main road this bustling area boasts a flourishing parade of independent shops
Talking a walk down Aigburth Road in South Liverpool, even the rain and miserable weather doesn’t dampen the spirits of independent businesses on the stretch running between The Old Bank pub and the Liver Laundrette. Set back from the busy main road, this thriving parade of businesses is going from strength to strength.
The area has seen a number of changes in recent years, with new, unique shops opening their doors. Visitors can now pop into a number of different venues – from trendy coffee and flower shops, micro patisseries, nail salons and even a tattoo and tea parlour.
Mum and daughter duo Erin and Karen Campbell joined the road in May 2023 when they established Sunday X The Flower Bar. Owner, 26-year-old Erin, took on the joint venture with her mum who is the resident florist in the popular coffee and gift shop. She says they are busier now than they have ever been.
Erin told the ECHO: “Passing trade down here is better than it ever was when we opened. More businesses have opened down here now so there’s more people. There were a lot of empty down [buildings] here that’ve reopened – there’s loads of new stuff down here. I think because all the shops are now full, you get more people walking down. The community around here is second to none.”
The pair live just around five minutes away from the shop, and Karen, 56, remembers what the road was like before. She said: “This roads always been so dead, I think people don’t realise that if they walk down there’s more. A lot of people come in and say ‘aw I didn’t realise there was stuff down here’. When we used to come here years ago there was nothing – only the balloon shop and the bakery. It’s evolved now.”
Located at number 337, Erin and Karen are all about supporting other independent businesses. Describing themselves as a ‘one stop shop’ customers can pick up a coffee, flowers and gifts some which are handmade by their customers.
Erin added: “It brings in a mixed crowd. Sometimes you look around and it’s funny because all the customers are chatting to each other – they know each other from coming in. It’s quite nice to have created something like this.
“I just want to see things keep growing. It’s nice to see all the full road open. It feels like a little bit of a hub down here, like it’s own thing. We’re seeing lots of new faces too.”
Erin and Karen are not the only business owners to have found success after launching their own venues in the area. Mon Petit Chou, just a few doors down at number 367, has been serving a variety of sweet and savoury tarts, pies and pastries since December 2022.
Entering the shop, customers are instantly hit by the smell of sweet baked goods and the sight of the small team working hard behind the counter. Betty Morris the 31-year-old owner told the ECHO they are “going from strength to strength.”
She said: “We’ve got lots of lovely regulars, it’s a great neighbourhood around us so we see lots of the same faces which is really nice. We are starting to see a lot of new faces as well which is always a nice point. There’s a lot of buzz about.
“You see people moving in, then settling in the area – it’s nice to see people’s families grow and growing into the community as well.”
Betty has also noticed an increase in the number of new shops, as well as new people moving into the area. She added: “It’s nice to see new businesses – cause it needs it. It needs a bit more of a little community centre feel around this area because it deserves it. There’s plenty of people living here who are ready for that kind of business.
“Our relationship with the other independent businesses is great, we get on really well. Lots of the local businesses come in and get bits and bobs off us which is lovely so we see a lot of local business owners fairly regularly.”
Situated in next to the Liver Laundrette, people often call in for a treat when they are washing their clothes, with customers joking the patisserie is “dangerously close” to the laundrette. However, the team say they have a “steady stream of business” with people coming “rain or shine.”
Another independent bakery business has stood proudly on Aigburth Road since 1958 – and its owner echoed the thoughts of the newest shops on the road. Alan Gordon is the third generation of the same family to run The Bread Shop Bakery, and he says business is “good and always steady” but becomes even busier in summertime, when the weather gets better.
He said: “Sefton Park plays a big part in it – it’s nicer and better. After Covid-19 we definitely saw an increase in the number of people out in nature and using the park. People come from all over, grab a pie, especially our ‘salt pepper Scouse pies,’ and go on a walk.”
The bakery has been a familiar sight on the road for decades, welcoming a steady stream of loyal customers through its doors.
Alan, who’s run the shop for around 17 years, added: “I think we’ve got one customer who’s been shopping here for 60 years! We’ve got a very loyal customer base and it’s nice to see families through generations. Some people even come in and tell me stories about my grandfather.
“There are a lot of new faces too – we’re in a good area for schools and the park. Houses don’t stay up for sale very long either, there’s been about 10 up for sale this month.”
Being a well-known name on the road for so long, Alan and the rest of the team have seen Aigburth Road and life in general change around them, from shopping habits to culture.
Alan said: “It’s great [the number of new businesses coming to the area] the more the better! It brings more people to the area, and different types of people too.
“People come for different things. They can pick up a newspaper in one shop, a bunch of flowers in the next then get a pie in mine. We all support and look after each other. If anyone needs anything – change, cups – we help each other.”