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Why Liverpool
Loves Winter
And 62 reasons why you will too
STAY SNUG
COSY
VICTORIAN
PUBS
WRAP UP
THE CITY’S
BIGGEST
OUTDOOR
PARTY
TUCK IN
ALL THE BEST
CHRISTMAS
FOOD
Contents
Hello!
it’s liverpool
In association with: Marketing Liverpool,
Liverpool ONE, City Central BID,
ACC Liverpool
Editor: David Lloyd
Art Direction: Matthew Barnes
Writers: David Lloyd, Joe Shooman
Cover photography: Alex Petricca
Hands up – who enjoys Christmas Eve more than
Christmas Day? It’s that feeling of anticipation,
of something magical in the air. Something
special about to unfold. Liverpool’s bottled that
Christmas Eve feeling and, this year, December
24th officially starts right about now. We’re a
warm hearted city, and we love any excuse for a
get together – so Christmas, Liverpool-style is
about escaping the everyday. Carving out quality
time with those we don’t see nearly enough.
About unleashing that giddy seven year old
child within. Maybe that’s why, in the depths of
winter, our city never feels more alive. However
you celebrate this time of year, have a great
holiday season.
Enjoy,
Photographers: Alex Petricca, Pete Carr,
Jane MacNeil
For sales enquiries: [email protected]
David Lloyd, Editor
CONTENTS
4 Happenings
10 Table Talk
14 Eating Out
16 My Liverpool
19 Brilliant Pubs
22 The Manifesto
25 The Insider
26 Style
33 Spas
36 Liverpool ONE
38 Gifts
42 Showtime
46 Vinyl IS BACK
48 My story
50 The Way I See It
LIVERPOOL NOW
Happenings
A Time to Remember
It brought the City of London to a standstill - and
silence - when it was installed at the Tower of London.
Now a section of the mammoth artwork, Blood
Swept Lands and Seas of Red is headed for St George’s
Hall.
Poppies: Weeping Window is a moving installation
of ceramic poppies which will be on display on the
façade of St George’s Hall from Saturday 7 November
for ten weeks until 17 January 2016.
The original concept created by artist Paul Cummins
and installation designed by Tom Piper, formed part of
the 888,246 poppies which were displayed at the Tower
– one to honour every death in the British and Colonial
forces of the First World War.
“14-18 NOW is delighted that people across the UK
have the chance to experience these iconic poppies
in places which have a particular First World War
resonance,” Jenny Waldman, Director of 14-18 NOW
tells it’s liverpool.
“We believe in the transformative power of art to
connect people of all ages with the First World War
- the poppies are the perfect example of this and a
powerful way to mark the centenary.”
Take time out of your day, this winter, to pause,
reflect and give thanks.
St George’s Hall, free
cultureliverpool.co.uk
Weeping Window is from the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ – poppies and original concept created by
artist Paul Cummins and installation designed by Tom Piper – by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with
Historic Royal Palaces, originally at HM Tower of London 2014.
04
Panto Madness
Liverpool loves panto.
Oh yes it does. Oh
no, did we really just
write that? Moving
swiftly on… Rapunzel:
Hairway to Heaven is
this year’s song, dance
and innuendo-laden
Everyman panto.
Regular writers Sarah
A Nixon and Mark
Chatterton have adapted
the Brothers Grimm’s
tale story, which may get
a little ‘Tangled’ along
the way.
28 Nov-23 Jan
everymanplayhouse.
com
The Empire sees
Coronation Street’s
Sally Lindsay and Radio
City’s Leanne Campbell
take the stage in a thighslapping production
of Dick Whittington including an amazing 3D
scene. Wait, isn’t theatre
in 3D anyway? Oh, what
do we know?
12 Dec- 3 Jan
atgtickets.com/venues/
liverpool-empire
Another star of the
cobbles heads over the
water, as Coronation
Street’s Vicky Entwistle
stars in the alwaysenjoyable Floral Pavilion
Christmas show - this
year Sleeping Beauty
gets the New Brighton
treatment.
9 Dec - 3 Jan
floralpavilion.com
Over in the Epstein,
Calum Best takes the
role he was born to play
– Prince Charming, as
Cinderella casts a spell
on us over the festive
season.
10 Dec - 3 Jan
liverpooltheatres.com/
epstein
Station
Approach
Christmas screenings at the
Phil are exactly the sort of
escape route we love, when
the shopping all gets too
much. Catch a mid-morning
film screening with either
brunch or two course lunch
in the magnificent Art Deco
surroundings, and you’ll be
ready to face the world again.
Our vote? It has to be Brief
Encounter. And no, we’re
not sniffling. We’ve just got
something in our eye.
3rd December
Philharmonic Hall
liverpoolphil.com
Wheels on Fire
We’re used to being a city of firsts, but
even we were amazed when we became
the home to the UK’s first glow-in-thedark wheels park in Everton Park.
Evertro is a new public art commission
bequeathed to the city for the city
by South Korean artist Koo Jeong,
commissioned by Liverpool Biennial.
Working with Wheelscape Skateparks,
Koo enlisted youngsters from North
Liverpool to devise the park - but this
subtle incursion into the landscape is a
space for skaters and dreamers alike. It’s
a gorgeous, glowing testament to how art
has the power to really move people.
High fives and half pipes all round.
Everton Park, between
Roscommon St and Prince Edwin St
Liverpool L5 3NG
I’ll be Home
for Christmas
The festive season sees some of Liverpool’s brightest and
best-loved troubadours return to the city to spread some
seasonal warmth, with back catalogue singalongs almost
obligatory.
Dan Croll brings his lilting, lovely electro pop to the all
new Buyer’s Club (Hardman Street) on 12 November.
That’s a venue - and a gig - you owe it to yourself to put
on your must-see list. Bill Ryder-Jones showcases his
sublime new album, West Kirby County Primary, at
District (Baltic Triangle) on 14 November - expect an
intimate, spellbinding set.
The original art school rockers, Deaf School hole up
at the soon-to-be-demolished Kazimier (Wolstenholme
Square) next month. Who’d have thought Deaf
School would outlive the Kaz? Check them out on 10
December. And, in what’s become a seasonal fixture as
assured as that Coca-Cola lorry hauling up in Liverpool
ONE, Echo and The Bunnymen return to the city,
to play two dates at the O2 Academy, on 11 and 12
December (Hotham Street).
05
06
How Do
We Look?
We love a bit of sparkle around here.
It’s Glam Up North sees acclaimed
photographer Rankin curate work by
himself and a selection of invited artists,
filmmakers and fashion designers. The
fashion-forward chronicler of style shifts
his gaze towards life in the north: and
it’s all for a good cause. The exhibition’s
work will be auctioned for children’s
hospice, Claire House (Rankin’s a
patron.)
“Having lived in the North I loved it.
I loved the people, I loved the way that
people were funny about everything, had
a sense of humour, had a really good,
very down to earth attitude towards the
world,” Rankin says.
Meanwhile, Walker Art Gallery has
something divine up its ruched sleeves.
Liverpool costume collector Peter
Farrer’s cross-dressing wardrobe is
the star of Transformation: One Man’s
Cross-dressing Wardrobe, part of
Homotopia’s season.
“Dressing in a taffeta frock didn’t
make me want to be a girl, but it certainly
made me understand how much
pleasure girls and women get from their
party frocks,” Peter says.
Suddenly, our winter ensemble feels
awfully drab.
Fright Nights
Transformation
until February 2017
This Christmas at the Playhouse,
following in the creepy footsteps
of the terrifying Ghost Stories,
which premiered here before its
West End blockbuster, Playhouse
turns to the dark side once more
with The Haunting of Hill House.
The production, a collaboration
with Sonia Friedman Productions
and HAMMER, is the first major
UK stage adaptation of Shirley
Jackson’s eerily brilliant novel,
which became the legendary
horror movie The Haunting.
With psychological terrors at
every twist and turn of the plot,
this promises to be a spinechillingly good night - and a very
grown-up alternative to the city’s
seasonal stew of pantos. The
question is - are you brave enough
to spend a night in Hill House?
liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/
exhibitions/glam-up-north
homotopia.com
7 Dec - 16 Jan
The Playhouse
Williamson Square
It’s Glam Up North
until 6 December
It’s a Wrap
You know Christmas is coming when the great
Winter Arts Market descends, in all its hand-made
goodness, on St George’s Hall. It’s the season’s
biggest and the best of a smorgasbord of crafty
events. So expect jewellery, prints, accessories,
decorations and ceramics - and a cool vintage fair in
the Small Concert Room. That present for someone
who has everything? It’s right here, waiting.
5-6 December
St George’s Hall
winterartsmarket.com
Made With Love
Those ever so sharp furniture people, Made, move out of
cyberspace and into the Metquarter, with their first North
West showroom this month. And already we’re hooked.
Made’s mission? To bring high-end, designer-curated
pieces to every home – without that eye-watering price
tag. Think burnished copper floor lamps, sleek Scandicoffee tables and reassuringly cocooning arm chairs.
Think a whole new look for Christmas if you’re not
careful...
Metquarter
35 Whitechapel
made.com
07
SEE HOW THEY ARE BUILT,
THEN TAKE ONE OFF-ROAD
At Land Rover Experience Halewood, you can immerse yourself in the complete
Land Rover experience. See right into the heart of our award winning factory, with
one of our expert guides talking through the assembly process from start to finish.
Afterwards, you’ll be taken out with experienced instructors to get behind the wheel
of one of our world class vehicles. Our spectacular course is purpose-built to showcase
the outstanding capability of each vehicle, using a combination of steep slopes,
slippery surfaces and other challenging obstacles.
Get in touch with us to find out more. When booking please quote ITSLIV2015
Land Rover Experience Halewood
Halewood Visitor Centre, South Road, Liverpool L24 9PZ
0151 448 4023 www.halewood.landroverexperience.co.uk
08
Northern
Exposure
Go for the home-spun,
Scandinavian crafts – stay for
the delicious princess cake. The
smashing folk at the Nordic
Church like nothing better than
to put on a festive spread, and
their yearly bazaar is part cultural
exchange, part charming bring
and buy sale. In the market for a
brightly painted Swedish horse,
or Finnish woollen mittens? We
know just the place…
21 November
Nordic Church
nordicliverpool.co.uk
A Christmas to Remember
Liverpool promises a warm welcome, whatever
time of year you visit. But there’s something
special about the city in the depths of winter.
Something magical. And this year, the city’s
favourite attractions have come together to
present One Magical Christmas.
Wherever your winter travels take you,
One Magical Christmas promises a Christmas
adventure for everyone. Whether that’s strolling
the cobbles of the gorgeous Albert Dock complex,
following the Snowflake Trail through the historic
heart of the city, taking a trip to the theatre (did
we tell you, Liverpool loves panto!) or seeing
festive Liverpool at Santa’s sleigh-level, from the
Wheel of Liverpool, we promise this will be a very
special season. And, in Liverpool ONE, the fun
begins with a huge Christmas party on November
13th – read all about it on page 38.
Plan your route into the heart of Christmas
by taking a look atvisitliverpool.com/
christmas – and have a magical time!
Moving House
There won’t be a dry eye in the
house as seminal Liverpool club,
Cream, says goodbye to its Nation
home this Christmas (Boxing Day
and New Year’s Eve) - after over
two decades at the absolute cutting
edge of house’n’techno brilliance,
they’re bringing Todd Terry, Paul
van Dyk (above) and the man who
started it all, James Barton, to the
hallowed decks amongst a cast of
superstar DJs and longstanding
Cream friends. What’s the
betting Grace will end the night
singing ‘Not Over Yet’? Alas - at
least for now - it is. Thanks for
the memories, Cream. You were
sensational.
Cream Grand Finale
Wolstenholme Square
cream.co.uk
And They’re Off!
Liverpool’s sporting New Year
will storm out of the starting gate
with a brand new, world class
sporting event at Echo Arena.
The Equestrian.com Liverpool
International Horse Show will be
held on January 1st, 2nd and 3rd
and the event will combine top
class show jumping with plenty
of entertainment. The event is
being organised by equestrian
promoter Nina Barbour, from
the prestigious Bolesworth
International, so we’re in safe
hands here.
Alongside some top class
show jumping the event will
have its own ‘Grand National’
of Shetland ponies (cue 10,000
people saying ‘ah, how cute’
in unison) and a powered up
performance by a troupe of shire
horses, thundering across the
arena.
The Liverpool International
Horse Show
1 – 3 Jan 2016
Echo Arena Liverpool
echoarena.com
09
FOOD & DRINK
Table Talk
Raw Power
If there’s been a food mantra
this year, it’s been ‘eat clean,
eat raw and eat fresh’.
Seems like Liverpool’s Etsu
was only eight years ahead
of the game. We spoke to
owner, Dave Abe.
Being Boiled
New to Chinatown, the Bagelry
is a bakery dedicated to hand
crafted boiled and baked
bagels – you’ll have sampled
their deliciousness at Baltic
Bakehouse or Cow & Co maybe.
“We want to provide variety and
a high standard, with American
varieties alongside traditional
Jewish and our own gourmet
bagels, made from the best
organic flour,” says the Bagelry’s
Rhonda Davies.
The idea behind the Bagelry
is a simple one: “We realised
no-one is selling anything
like it in the local area, so we
thought: well, why not?” That,
and Liverpool’s soft water is
uncannily similar to New York
City’s tap water - bagel central,
in other words. Something to
chew on.
The Bagelry, 42 Nelson Street
thebagelryliverpool.co.uk
Down Mexico Way
Wahaca is the latest in a new array of
Liverpool ONE restaurants clamouring
for our attention. So, what should we eat?
We asked owner, Thomasina Miers...
“By the time our Liverpool store opens, our new
Winter menu will be live and you have to try the
chicken wings with burnt habanero cream, the
grilled chicken thigh tacos, the queso fundido with
chillies and sobresada…” We’re writing this down,
as fast as we can… “Oh, and the salmon tostada and
sweet potato taquitos are so popular that we can no
longer take it off the menu, and the steak and cheese
tacos are a classic that should never be overlooked.”
So, everything then? “Pretty much,” she says.
Wahaca (opens 20 November)
Hanover Street
10
“When our chefs arrived from
Japan they were amazed by
the quality of fish we were able
to source,” he says. “Our only
concern was whether people
would be able to understand
the difference between quality
ingredients and lower standard
ingredients they’d perhaps
experienced before.”
Turns out we did. And we
absolutely loved it.
“We’ve been pleasantly
surprised,” he says, “so we’ve
become more daring with the
menu adding in eel, octopus, surf
clams and sea urchin.”
Etsu’s also added refreshing
Kaguya Japanese craft beers and a
couple of Japanese inspired gins.
But what does Dave recommend
for a Christmas get-together?
“Ask all your group to pick one
dish each and share everything
that comes. For drinks, try our
Umeshu which is imported
Japanese plum wine. It’s got a
very sweet taste and although it’s
usually served on the rocks try
having it warmed up at Christmas.
Finish with sparkling sake.”
Etsu
25, The Strand
etsu-restaurant.co.uk
The French
Connection
Happy Endings
Turning a meal out on its head,
a night at Leaf ’s Pudding Club
consists of five courses. All
of them puddings. It doesn’t
get any better than this. The
evening celebrates our love
of the sweet stuff, with a roll
call of all-homemade puds.
And, this being Leaf, they’re all
washed down and topped off
with a perfectly matched cup of
tea. Who’s counting the calories
anyway, it’s winter. We’re
eating for warmth, right?
Hello, Jean-Christophe. You took your
time! “Ah, yes. But in every restaurant
you need a certain amount of theatre,”
laughs the French enfant-terrible of his
Hilton Doubletree brasserie. “Ultimately,
though, I’m into honest food that speaks
for itself. Fresh ingredients that do my
recipe ideas justice. Dishes that give
people the chance to experience my own
style of cuisine.”
And you can do just that, now that
Michelle (a nod to the Beatles, and JeanChristophe’s wife) is open for business. So,
what can we expect?
“The goal is to create the most talked
about and respected brasserie in the North
West,” Jean-Christophe says, without
hesitation. “I’ve had a few years away
from being involved in restaurants to
concentrate on my family, and my cookery
school, but now I’m back. And it’s going to
be amazing.”
Jean Christophe Novelli at Michelle
Hilton Doubletree,
Sir Thomas Street
doubletreeliverpool.co.uk
24 November
Leaf, Bold Street
Five Alive
They’re all about choice. What would you create
if you could build your perfect burger? That’s the
premise at soon-to-arrive Five Guys, the customised
burger joint heading to Queen Square. So, what’ll it
be? Jalapeno Peppers? Hot Sauce? Bacon? Grilled
Mushrooms? Yeah, we thought so – all of the above.
Five Guys
Queens Square
fiveguys.com
11
TABLE TALK
New Account
Open
That glorious old Grade II
listed banking hall, once
home to uber-stylish Trials
and What’s at 62, is to be
given a new lease of life.
Enter Manchester’s sleek
Spinningfields brasserie,
Neighbourhood. With its
gleaming chrome, leather
banquettes and casual take
on fine dining, we hear it’s
going to be fabulous.
Neighbourhood
62 Castle Street
neighbourhoodrestaurant.co.uk
Pause For
Thought
When the Christmas shopping gets a little too much, you’ll find us up to
our ears in cakes and finger sandwiches, enjoying a reviving Phom tea
from a vintage cup. Because that’s the way we roll. Yes, Mathew Street’s
Tea Parlour is our sort of civilised bolt hole. And the good people here are
thinking of expanding their offer, to include high teas and a private dining
room. For now, it remains a blissful world apart - a little oasis of salmon and
cucumber, Earl Grey and lemon drizzle. Does it get any better than this?
Tea Parlour
Mathew Street
teaparlour.co.uk
We love the new Buyer’s
Club, tucked into the corner
of Hardman Street and
Hope Street – home of the
old Picket venue. It’s an
assured next move for Bold
Street Coffee’s Sam Tawil
and the Secret Diners Club’s
chef, Daniel Heffy. Expect
fine, fine wine by the glass,
inventive plates of food
(our pig’s cheek hash was
sublime) and a convivial
atmosphere. This is what
Liverpool dining is all
about. Cooking, eating and
drinking with lashings of
soul. Oh, and a brilliant gig
venue upstairs. Of course.
The Buyer’s Club
24 Hardman Street, Liverpool
@buyersclubbar
12
Image: Pete Carr
Collective
Bargaining
Rice and Shine
Celebrating a year of stunning
Indian street food at Mowgli,
her Bold Street cauldron of
creative subcontinent cooking,
Nisha Katona has distilled her
100 favourite recipes into the
gloriously off-kilter cookbook,
Pimp My Rice.
“​The Layered Leaf Lasagne is
something I make at least once a
week,” she says, flipping through
the pages of this punchy, getup-and-cook celebration of the
Katona way of doing things.
“There’s nothing I love more
than a dish that uses up leftovers.
This uses up leftover rice, it uses
up geriatric, limp cabbage, it even
uses up your leftover mince in
whatever form you left it to fester
in the fridge.​This is frugality on
speed!”
The resulting dish, Nisha says,
is spectacular. And there are
plenty more where that came
from.
“Rice, in the West, is seen as
such an anodyne, pasty faced,
fiendishly awkward bridesmaid
dish – a silent understudy to the
main event. I wanted to lift the
veil on rice and its misunderstood
magnificence. I didn’t know of a
book that helped me do this. So, I
wrote one.”
Your Christmas stocking filler?
You just found it.
Pimp My Rice (published by
Nourish Books)
NEW from Stadium Tours
CENTENARY
STAND TOUR
AND THE
STEVEN GERRARD
COLLECTION
Hear about the exciting Main Stand expansion, celebrate our wonder
years with your tour guide, then visit The Steven Gerrard Collection to
see the former captain’s footballing memorabilia.
Plus, visit the Boot Room Sports Cafe.
Book Now
liverpoolfc.com/tours
or call 0151 260 6677
Centenary Stand Tour: routes and availability are subject to change depending on the Main Stand expansion work. The Centenary Stand Tour does not include the
press room, dressing rooms, This is Anfield sign, tunnel and dug out. Unfortunately due to the building work, we are unable to offer full access of the tour route to
wheelchair users. Please contact us in advance of booking to discuss accessibility plans during this time.
13
FESTIVE DINING GUIDE
Eating Out
From the sleek fine dining of London Carriage Works to the sociable and
laid back grills of McCooleys - via the hearty Brazilian steaks of Fazenda
– Christmas Dining, Liverpool style, has never looked more tempting…
LONDON CARRIAGE WORKS
FAZENDA
McCOOLEY’S
PAN AM
Fifty words on why The London
Carriage Works is a destination
for Christmas? That’s easy. This
year, chef Dave Critchley will be
overseeing a roll call of wonder
that goes a bit like this. Deep
breath... Merry Berry Bellini
Goosnargh duck, Highland
venison Lakeland rabbit,
Liverpool Gin and blackberry
sauce, Madeira trifle, Blacksticks
Blue, Biscotti, Perrier-Jouët
Grand Brut Champagne,
conviviality, smiling attention,
friends and family!
We’ve just left some room for £26.50 for two courses.
Upmarket Brazilian restaurant
Fazenda Bar & Grill is famous for
its 15 cuts of beef, chicken, lamb
and pork, all beautifully grilled.
As a festive treat for diners in its
elegant Exchange Flags location
this December, Fazenda Bar
& Grill’s Christmas menu will
see delicious duck served with a
stunning red berries glaze added
to the already plentiful menu and
amazing salad bar.
Liverpool’s biggest Irish bar,
McCooley’s opened its doors in
mid-August in Concert Square.
Their freshly prepared threecourse Christmas menu includes
traditional Christmas classics
with an Irish twist. Dishes include
traditional roast turkey with all
the trimmings, pan-fried hake in
a lemon and parsley sauce and of
course Christmas Pudding with a
brandy sauce. Prices per person £15 for two-courses and welcome
drink, £20 for three-courses
and welcome drink. Buffets
and bespoke packages are also
available.
One of the Albert Dock’s most
stylish venues, Pan Am continues
to offer a sophisticated escape
from the everyday. Within its
cosy, candlelit dining room and
bars you can enjoy a mouthwatering Christmas menu
that embraces a touch of the
traditional – turkey roast, roast
cod loin, parma ham-wrapped
pork tenderloin – with Pan Am’s
signature cocktails, and sleek
soundtrack of tunes-without-thecheese. Come for dinner, stay for
the dancing. Pan Am’s that sort
of place.
40 Hope Street
thelondoncarriageworks.co.uk
14
Fazenda Bar & Grill
Horton House, Exchange Flags
fazenda.co.uk/liverpool/
Concert Square
mccooleys.co.uk
Gower Street
panambarliverpool.co.uk
EVERYMAN
The award-winning new
Everyman isn’t just a wonderful
theatre but its eating and drinking
spaces provide a perfect place
for sharing ideas, sharing stories
and sharing your time with good,
honest food. In the downstairs
bistro, cozy up by the woodburning stove or find your own
corner and relax over lunch or
dinner with family and friends.
A new winter menu has recently
launched including pan-fried
scallops, Moroccan Ragout,
Massaman Beef Curry along with
puddings such as Treacle Tart
and Poached Pear. More about
the Everyman bistro, booking
a table and details of Christmas
packages can be found at
everymanplayhouse.com/EAT
MARAY
ALBINA
“We’ve curated our menu with
the emphasis firmly on sharing,”
says the sure-footed team at Bold
Street’s Maray. For just £22 per
person, their Christmas sharing
menu is the most sociable and
sizzling selection of small plates
this side of the Holy Land. Expect
Confit of golden beets with
candied walnuts, figs with orange
blossom, ham hock and saffron
potato, and beetroot and gin
cured sea trout. And good times.
Always.
“We’re really looking forward
to our December Master of the
House Dinner,” says Albina’s Alex
McElhoney. “This year, we’re
going for ‘A Royal Christmas’
which will be a selection of
courses served to various Royal
Households at Christmas. These
always go down well with big
long tables of people sitting
together,” he says. But, whenever
you visit this Crosby celebration
of traditional British cooking,
you’ll be treated to the very best
local produce. But it’s not all
about the turkey. The shin of beef
is spectacularly good. “Mostly,
though, Albina’s a place to enjoy
a memorable meal together with
your loved ones.” That’s always
good, yeah?
91 Bold Street
maray.co.uk
SALT HOUSE BACARO
Everyman Bistro
5-9 Hope Street
DELIFONSECA
You’d expect the Good Food
Guide-approved Delifonseca
to put on a bit of a spread at
Christmas. And you’d be right. In
their convivial Dockside venue,
you’ll be spoiled for choice. Will
it be the shin of beef bourguignon
– slow braised in red wine with
mushrooms and baby onions? Or
will you plump for the pheasant
braised with shallots served
with creamed cabbage & thyme?
No, wait, we’ve just spotted the
pan seared sea bass fillets with a
crushed new potato & spinach
cake. Oh flipping heck. We’re just
going to have to come back for
seconds, aren’t we?
12 Stanley Street
delifonseca.co.uk/events/
christmas-dockside
ART SCHOOL
RESTAURANT
Bringing fine dining to town, Paul
Askew’s Art School Restaurant
has had a sensational first year –
and he’s determined to finish it in
style, with an array of indulgent,
opulent and typically theatrical
Festive Prix Fixe and tasting
menus. Fillet of Peterhead hake
with Southport smoked pork
lardons, Mr Edge’s rare breed
ox tongue and cheek served with
heritage carrots, fillet of naturalsmoked eel with cockles and
mussels and, of course, wineflights to get excited about. It’s
the Art School way.
Sugnall Street
theartschoolrestaurant.co.uk
“In Venice, a bacaro is a
workingman’s pub where snacks
called cicchetti are served in
small plates,” says Salt House’s
Jonathan Poole of his alwayswelcoming Castle Street venue.
“Salt House maintains the
authenticity and joyfulness of
their simple origins,” he adds.
And that’s especially true at
Christmas. The £23.95 dinner
menu sees a procession of the
restaurant’s best-loved plates
– Spinach & Egg Pizzette, crispy
fried Calamari & Aioli, fillet steak
with Scampi, Chicken Milanese
with rocket & parmesan. Small in
stature, big in flavour. Actually,
thinking about it, they’re not
particularly small either…
55 Coronation Road, Crosby
albina.co.uk
47 Castle Street
salthousebacaro.co.uk
MR MIYAGI
One of the most enjoyable new
openings on busy Bold Street,
Mr Miyagi’s injects style and
substance to that most abused of
Asian delicacies - the dim sum.
And their Christmas Bento Basket
Banquets (try saying that after
a few cocktails) ramp up the fun
even more, throwing in favourites
like tempura, black pig gyoza,
nikiri chicken and teriyaki beef
yakitori and glazed suckling belly
pork. All from a rather decent
£18.95 per person.
77 Bold Street
mister-miyagi.co.uk
Opposite: Albina
From top: Fazenda, Mr Miyagi,
London Carriage Works,
McCooley’s, Pan Am
15
MY LIVERPOOL: VASILY PETRENKO
Superconductor
Russian-born, Liverpool-adopted, globally-lauded, RLPO’s Principal
Conductor Vasily Petrenko has taken to us as much as we’ve taken to him.
Which is to say, greatly. We batten down the baton-wielding maestro as he
flits from one sell out concert hall to the next...
Where do you go for peace,
reflection, to hear yourself
think?
Merseyside has lots of parks, but
the nearest one to me is beautiful
Birkenhead Park, the world’s first
public park. Jogging there nearly
every morning is both relaxing and
rejuvenating and clears my mind
for the day ahead.
Can you remember the first
place you fell in love with here?
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and
the city’s two Cathedrals on Hope
Street, and the Mersey, and the
Albert Dock. When I arrived in
the city in 2006 there was a lot
of new development going at the
waterfront as the Arena was being
built. It was an exciting time.
16
Where’s your favourite table in
the city?
Restaurants for me tend to be
places for meetings while eating
something! Since I arrived in
Liverpool, the transformation
of the city centre is amazing!
Hope Street is our (Liverpool
Philharmonic’s) home and what
has happened here is fantastic.
Hope Street and the city now has
a huge variety of great restaurants
to satisfy everyone!
I travel so much though, that
really, there is nowhere I would
rather be than at home with my
wife, Evgenia and our children,
in Claughton, sharing a meal and
talking together, catching up on
our news.
If you were tour guide for the
day what’s the one place you’d
take us to see?
it in 2009. Sadly, many of these
other beautiful churches are either
closed or in need of restoration.
Sunset at the mouth of the River
Mersey is stunning. The best
place I think to see it is at the top
of Liverpool Cathedral on Hope
Street.
What are you looking forward
to next?
Liverpool is a city that’s filled with
music. And I love the fact that
Liverpudlians love and appreciate
music, so I look forward to
rehearsing and performing every
one of our concerts in the city.
Where do you go to escape the
city a while?
I enjoy the outdoors, running and
hiking. I still want to discover
fishing here! To my shame over
the years I’ve been in Liverpool,
I still haven’t found time to do it.
I’m from St.Petersburg in Russia
and I spend a lot of time in Oslo
where I’m also Chief Conductor of
the Oslo Philharmonic. Like here
in the UK, both countries have
beautiful forests, often with small
lakes in the centre. I really enjoy
walking in the forest, collecting
wild berries and mushrooms.
Where does a conductor swap
a baton for a beer glass? Or
vodka shot?
I’m not a big drinker, but when I
do – it’s the Philharmonic Pub, of
course, where else!
Where’s your favourite hidden
gem?
FOR YOUR DIARY
Top: Sunset on the Mersey
Middle: St. Mary of the Angels
Above: The Philharmonic Pub
Left: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Catch Vasily conducting
Mahler’s Symphony No 6, with
Schubert’s Violin Concerto, 1213 Nov, and Prokofiev Classical
Symphony, Shostakovich Piano
Concerto No.1 and No.2, and
Khachaturian Gayane Suite
No.3, 21-22 Jan.
Mira66 / Dave Wood
Many churches around Everton
and the Docks have beautiful
marble and mosaic work, created
by Italian craftsmen who settled
in the city. Our rehearsal and
recording venue in Everton,
Liverpool Philharmonic at Friary
is the former St. Mary of the
Angels and it’s a great example.
Changes in the surrounding
community meant it had been
closed since 2001. Working in
partnership with the Archdiocese
of Liverpool, who wanted to find
a different, but sympathetic use
for the building, we spent two
years restoring it and reopened
17
18
THE LOWDOWN
Warm and Snug
Liverpool’s architectural splendour isn’t the soul preserve of the
Three Graces and the two Cathedrals. We have other places of
worship too. Take a tour of our splendid Victorian pubs, and
you’ll be converted. Don’t call it a pub crawl, this is vital research.
Images: Alex Petricca
19
Baltic Fleet
33a Wapping
The Crown Hotel
43 Lime Street
Fly in the Loaf
13 Hardman Street
Peter Kavanagh’s
2-6 Egerton Street
This ship bow-shaped, panelled
boozer is Grade II-listed and since
the 1850s has served visitors from
land and sea. The pub has its own
microbrewery, a wood-burning
stove, nautical odds and ends and
a top menu. Rumour has it that
smugglers’ tunnels exist between
the pub and the docks – and a
one-time red light district.
The Crown’s a real gem. If its
Art Nouveau exterior is eyepoppingly impressive, wait until
you get inside. A great deal of the
interior fixtures are original, from
the intricate moulded coffered
ceilings to the engraved glass;
no wonder it’s a Grade II Listed
Building.
The panelled bar, deco-esque
columns and long, narrow room
that make up the interior are
imposing in themselves but
even better is the exterior. The
exterior’s splendid Kirkland
Brothers signage refers to the
building’s former use as a bakery
– with the slogan ‘No flies in the
loaf.’ They just don’t make slogans
like that anymore do they?
Step into Peter Kav’s and you’ll
step into a truly unique pub.
There’s oak panels, mosaic floors
and murals on the walls but also a
weird and wonderful collection of
additional bits and bobs. Model
ships, guitars, books, cycles and
old radios are everywhere. If
Willy Wonka had a local, it’d look
like this.
Belvedere Arms
5 Sugnall Street
Grab a spot by one of the two
original fireplaces when it gets
cold outside and warm yourself
with the Belvedere’s speciality
Gin and Tonic. The etched glass
windows of this one-time John
Lennon favourite are well worth
the trip and the music posters
adorning the pub reflect the city’s
creative side.
20
Doctor Duncan’s
St. John’s Lane
The intricate woodwork,
gleaming tiled walls, leather
booths and beautiful high ceiling
at this real ale-centric hostelry
make for a gorgeous drinking
experience. Just a few steps from
Lime Street Station, the pub is
an ideal intro to / goodbye to
Liverpool’s loveliness.
The Lion Tavern
67 Moorfields
A Grade II-listed establishment
that is quintessentially pubby;
original façade and bar,
Edwardian tiling and a genuinely
cosy feel. The beautiful glass
dome lantern room is simply a
gem of architecture, painting the
interior in multitudes of hue as
the sun yawns across the sky, and
you work your way through the
huge malt whisky selection.
THE PHILHARMONIC
36 Hope Street
The gents’ toilets in the Phil are
the stuff of legend, clad as they are
in marble and polished hardwood.
Fret not however for the several
rooms of the bar and restaurant
are wonderfully designed, from
the dual snugs to the ornate dining
room, where space by the fire is
hotly-contested in the winter.
The Central
Ranelagh Street
The DISPENSARY,
87 Renshaw StREET
Another superb architectural gem
within a Grade 2 listing. Built by
the original Cain’s Brewery, (who
also built the Philharmonic Dining
Rooms) the interior is a riot of
etched glass mirrors, beautifully
crafted plasterwork ceiling and
dome. And the ale’s not bad either.
There’s always a karaoke singer in
mid flow, too - chances are it’ll be a
Patsy Cline number.
This former CAMRA Mersyside
pub of the year might well be in
firmly within the city centre, but
it feels like your favourite street
corner local. Etched glass, old
pub signs on the wall, a real warm
welcome and great cask ales. Oh,
and of course - medicinal bits and
bobs. It’s the best of the Renshaw
Street bunch.
Roscoe Head
24 Roscoe Street
The four rooms are small but
that’s part of the charm of the cosy
traditional CAMRA-featured
drinking den. The tiled floors
and hardwood bar add a timeless
heft to the atmosphere of a pub
named after William Roscoe, 18th
Century scouse historian, poet and
anti-slavery campaigner.
Feature image: Doctor Duncan’s
Above (L-R): The Crown Hotel,
The Dispensary, Roscoe Head
Top right: The Dispensary
Right: Fly In The Loaf
21
THE MANIFESTO
Homotopia
With its eye-popping celebration of gay culture, Homotopia has blazed
a trail of hope, activism and acceptance. In doing so, it’s supported the
LGBT community and its friends, and gifted the city a festival the like of
which we’ve never seen before. We talk to founder, Gary Everett.
for 12 years I was a professional
actor working in theatre, film and
radio. It was a wonderful time.
But I knew I had the bug to do
more, and desperately wanted
to make theatre happen. So
starting Homotopia was a natural
progression.
But make sure your heart
leads you to something
new. Something exciting.
You should always follow
your heart. Wherever it
leads you.
My background is producing and
22
I was keen to do something that
didn’t emulate other cities. I knew
it was not going to be a Pride
type of event. The project really
had to be focused on culture and
art. I guess my plans were also
taking shape at the time the city
was bidding to become European
Capital of Culture 2008. The pilot
festival opened in 2004 around
the same time Liverpool had the
extraordinary news it had won
the bid.
Getting people who get
it on board makes all the
difference.
In 2003, the cultural office in the
City Council was very open to the
idea. We are very much focused
on making things happen in
Liverpool, and my job is really a
cultural producer. The city’s job
- which it took to, instantly, with
passion - was to support what we
were trying to do. Which was, and
remains, quite radical.
In all the excitement, it’s
important not to lose sight
of your core beliefs.
Homotopia has always believed,
at its heart, in the power of
campaigning. Many of our
commissions and projects have
had a strong element of social
justice or human rights. The
arts benefit from the richness
and innovation diversity
brings. I believe there is so
much untapped talent, ideas
and innovation within the gay
community. There’s a cultural
renaissance happening in queer
art and performance. Perhaps
the rise in global homophobia
and transphobia is a contributory
factor.
Be proud of who you are.
But be proud of where you
come from, too.
Liverpool has a rich queer cultural
heritage. From Holly Johnson to
April Ashley, Terence Davies to
Paul O’Grady to name but a few.
Liverpool’s edge is quite radical
and unexpected. It has energy
and verve. I think we tap into this.
It’s a very diverse and proud city.
The LGBTI scene reflects this.
We’ve a small gay scene with a lot
of character but stands out. It’s
refreshingly different.
Celebrate queer culture but invite everyone in.
It is key to our programming that
we bring the city in its widest
sense with us. Our landmark Tom
of Finland 2008 retrospective
had more straight women than
anyone! Mainstreaming the
programme actually pushes things
in surprising and interesting ways.
Remember to keep your
energy levels topped up.
This is no 9 to 5 job.
I’m up very early in the mornings
and always go for a swim. I have
lots of energy. I’m inspired by
creativity and by people. I never
forget that I’m lucky to work in
such a electric environment as
the arts. I’m in development
stages with three major exhibition
projects, which will take place in
2017, and a new programme of
work exploring art as activism
and the current global situation
around human rights for LGBTI
communities. Yes, it’s a busy life,
but it’s also very rewarding.
Art really can make a
difference.
Art and culture are at the
epicentre of Liverpool’s
renaissance. It’s a vibrant place to
live and work. Everyone around
the country still talks in glowing
terms about what Liverpool made
happen in 2008. The artistic,
economic, education and social
success of the year’s activities
still resonate across the UK. This
year’s campaign is ‘ART = LIFE’
and was inspired by the iconic
artist and activist Keith Haring.
Art has a big part to play in
inspiring people.
Queering galleries and
art spaces can only bring
positive cohesion.
For too long ‘diversity’ has been
packaged and presented as a half
empty glass leaving behind or
excluding the true experiences
of modern day gay life. It’s as
important that a 17 year old
coming to terms with their
sexuality, is exposed to queer
culture in all its forms. From
Boy George to April Ashley. Our
social justice programme has
reached over 150,000 younger
audiences and has picked up
awards especially our anti-hate
education initiatives. That makes
me especially proud. The city
and many audiences have really
embraced the festival. This means
a lot to the team at Homotopia.
Homotopia
Until 1 December
homotopia.net
“art and culture
are at the epicentre
of liverpool’s
renaissance. it’s a
vibrant place to live
and work... art has
a big part to play in
inspiring people”
24
THE INSIDER
The Heart of Liverpool
Why Liverpool’s ancient Parish Church is a special place
to visit at Christmastime. Image: Pete Carr
Yes, we have two splendid
Cathedrals, but Liverpool’s
spiritual hub has to be Saint
Nicholas’ – Liverpool’s Parish
Church – with its distinctive
golden square rigger set sail
above its steeple overlooking
The Strand. It’s the latest in a
line of places of worship here that
stretches back to 1257.
Old St Nic – actually a 4th
century Greek Bishop – loved
giving gifts. During the Middle
Ages, often on the evening before
his Saint’s day of 6 December,
children were given presents in
his honour. In time, the Saint’s
name (corrupted to Santa
Claus) became synonymous
with our modern day Christmas
celebrations.
All of which means Christmas
at Liverpool’s Parish church must
be an extra-special time?
“Oh yes,” Father Crispin
Pailing, Rector of Liverpool, tells
us. “We’re busy throughout the
year, but never more so than at
Christmas. And it starts early
for us. In most churches you
won’t see a tree or a crib until
Christmas Eve, but it’s a genuine
pleasure for us to welcome many
different groups for carol services
throughout December. Last year
we had fourteen carol services,
but each of them is different and
distinct. I most look forward to
our own Nine Lessons and Carols,
which will be at 6pm on Sunday
20th December. With about 250
people gathered in Church, that’s
when Christmas really seems to
start for me.”
The Church is actually
associated with St Nicholas
because he’s the Patron Saint of
Sailors. The church’s position –
once the River Mersey actually
lapped at the church wall – meant
that it was often the first port of
call for the homesick, or those in
need of comfort. It’s something Fr
Crispin experiences still.
“Every day brings scores of new
people within our doors, often
just to light a candle or have some
peace. Christmas is a happy time
for most, but for others it can be
a lonely time, or remind them of
loved ones who are no longer with
us. This year we’ll be giving an
innovative welcome to far-flung
visitors: in collaboration with
the Seafarers’ Centre and the
Cruise Terminal we’ll be holding
a ‘Maritime Carol Service’ at the
Cruise Terminal for about 500
people as they prepare to embark
on the last cruise ship in Liverpool
in 2015.”
With the church’s connection
to Santa Claus himself, Fr
Crispin makes sure St Nicholas
is honoured amid all the festive
celebrations.
“St Nicholas’ Day is on 6th
December and every year we
try and find a new way to make
that connection,” he says. “Last
year we followed the tradition of
dressing up some of the Sunday
School as ‘boy bishops’, though
things almost got out of control
when we let them loose with
bishops’ crooks. This year it falls
on a Sunday: we haven’t quite
decided what to do yet, but it
will be marked in some way. We
have a growing ministry amongst
children and young people, and
so on Christmas Eve we shall be
holding a Crib Service at 4pm, to
which children from across the
City will be welcome. With their
parents, please!”
Christmas Services
Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday 20th December at 6pm
Crib Service
Christmas Eve at 4pm
Midnight Mass
Christmas Eve at 11pm
Sung Eucharist
Christmas Day at 10am
St Nicholas Church
Chapel Street
livpc.co.uk
STYLE
Traditional
Modern
Play with classic cuts and
cool, 21st century fabrics
to create a Christmas
look that’s all your own.
As you are heading deep into
party season, investing in a couple
of key pieces will see you right
through to New Year with style.
But, then again, sometimes the
very best parties are those you
simply weren’t expecting. That’s
when classic cuts and carefully
chosen finishing touches – like a
gorgeous cape, or sleek dress coat
– will see you effortlessly from
day to evening. Let’s get the party
started, hey?
26
Joe:
Shirt: HACKETT LONDON
(John Lewis) £60
Bow tie: JOHN LEWIS £25
Coat: REISS £325
Scarf: REISS £70
Trousers: REISS £110
Shoes: DUNE £89
Charlotte:
Dress: COAST £169
Shoes: DUNE £89
Earrings: Model’s own
Dress: COAST £139
Cape: COAST £79
Clutch: DUNE £55
Shoes: DUNE £89
Josh wears: Top - £39
Trousers £95
Both available from Reiss
Lucy wears: Dress, £99
Necklace, £20
Both John Lewis
27
Jumper: REISS £89
Trousers: REISS £110
28
Dress: COAST £109
Shoes: DUNE £79
29
itsliverpool.com/app
City highlights:
The Georgian Quarter
Images: Terry Kearney, PsychoDelia, Somedriftwood, James Stringer
Find your way, instantly, into the heart of the city with the free
It’s Liverpool App. Take a guided tour from the experts - us!
The idea to build a grand housing
area in the Canning area of
town started in 1800 when
city surveyor John Foster Snr.,
created a blueprint to make a
grid plan of housing. This was a
time when Liverpool’s nouveau
riche could afford more luxurious
surroundings. Choosing an area
known as Mosslake Fields, to the
west of St James’s Mount (from
where the Anglican Cathedral
now rises), Foster built away from
the grime and the warehouses of
the city centre.
Over the next 100 years a
succession of developers built a
large number of imposing and
elegant town houses, mostly in
the Georgian style. The streets
radiating off from Hope Street
(recent winner of Best Street
in the Academy of Urbanism
Awards) and Rodney Street are
lined with fine terraces, now home
to cosy neighbourhood bistros,
such as The Quarter (Faulkner
Street) and the gastro-pub
delights of The Blackburne (24
Catharine Street).
Hope Street is bookended
with the city’s two cathedrals:
the strident 60s silhouette of
the (Catholic) Metropolitan
Cathedral of Christ the King,
and the world’s second largest
Anglican Cathedral - the jawdropping Liverpool Cathedral.
Between them lies the stunning
new Everyman Theatre (Stirling
prize winning, no less), the
recently spruced-up Liverpool
Philharmonic Hall (175 years
old this season), and the Paul
McCartney-kickstarted Liverpool
Institute of Performing Arts. And
tea and cake at women’s social
enterprise, Blackburne House
(blackburnehouse.co.uk) is always
a treat.
‘The Great Space’ is the
appropriate new name given to
the city’s towering red sandstone
Cathedral, which dominates the
city skyline for miles around. Sir
Giles Gilbert Scott’s masterpiece,
the largest in Britain, features the
highest and heaviest carillon of
bells in the world, and Britain’s
mightiest organ. Superlatives
aside, it’s a remarkably awe
inspiring, within, with an ornately
carved Lady Chapel, fabulous
refectory (great for lunches), and
stunning stained glass.
Take a tour of the tower, if
you’re not afraid of heights, for
an unsurpassed view over the
handsomely laid-out streets
of Georgian Liverpool below.
Christmas at the Cathedral is a
really special time. Check out
their events at liverpoolcathedral.
org.uk
Along Rodney Street, at No
62, is the birthplace of William
Gladstone. St Andrew’s Church
(Rodney Street) and its amazing
triangular tomb (said to contain
the remains of railway tycoon
William McKenzie, who is said
to have lost his soul to the devil
when he lost a bet. To trick his way
out of the wager he is said to have
been sealed within the tomb sat on
a stool next to a table clutching a
hand of cards. He reasoned that if
never buried, his soul could never
be claimed).
Fancy a drink? Try the
basement booze of Clove Hitch’s
No 23 Club (craft beers and
bourbon at 23 Hope Street), or
the cocktails and small plates at
Kabinett (2a Myrtle Street).
Find your way into the soul
of our city - download the its
liverpool app for free from the
Apple store.
web: itsliverpool.com/app
31
SPA & LEISURE
Sleep first class
Suites Hotel Spa & Leisure, Knowsley is the only 4 star hotel in the
North West of England where every room is a suite. All our luxurious 98
suites offer a spacious lounge, a business area with state-of-the-art
the
communications and a large en-suite bedroom. Relax in our gym
and heated in-door pool and sample the culinary delights in our fine
dining Handley’s Brasserie or the luxury of our Champagne Bollinger
Bar, the only one in the north of England.
@ SUITES H
TEL
The Spa @ Suites Hotel Knowlsey, Liverpool is
your spa, to enjoy your way. Whether you
indulge in our Relaxation Suite, visit our Thermal
Suite for a heat and ice journey, or rejuvenate
in the double Rasul Chamber, you’ll enjoy the
whole luxurious experience. Our therapists,
trained to Decléor and Carita world-leading
standards, will work their magic with the finest
products and over 90 treatments from their
exclusive collections.
Call the Spa on 0151 549 5400
A fantastic location. We’re only 15 minutes outside of Liverpool City Centre, adjacent to the M57 motorway
system and on the doorstep of a host of world famous attractions.
..............................................................................................................................
Suites Hotel Ribblers Lane, Knowsley, Prescot, Merseyside L34 9HA. Junction 4 off the M57.
www.suiteshotelgroup.com
uk.pinterest.com/SuitesSpa/
or call 0151 549 2222
32 www.facebook.com/TheSuitesHotel
@SuitesHotel
@SuitesHotel
TREAT YOURSELF
Time to Shine
Keep calm and have a facial. If Liverpool had a motto, that one
could work. Notice how we didn’t say spray tan? No, these days,
we’re all about the seaweed wrap, the ayurvedic ritual and the
lymphatic drain. So where can you go to glow this season?
33
SUITES HOTEL
In need of a little indulgence?
Suites Hotel Knowsley is a spa you
can enjoy your way. Whether you
indulge in their Relaxation Suite,
visit the steamy Thermal Suite for
a heat and ice journey to bring you
back to your senses, or rejuvenate
body and mind in the double Rasul
Chamber. You’ll enjoy the whole,
blissfully luxurious experience at
your own pace. Therapists, trained
to Decléor and Carita worldleading standards, will work their
magic with the finest products and
over 90 treatments. One of them’s
got your name on it - so what are
you waiting for?
Ribblers Lane, Prescot
suiteshotelgroup.com
BEYOND MEDISPA
You’d expect Beauty Bazaar,
Harvey Nichols to offer treatments
that promise to get us to gorgeous
in next to no time. And you’d
be right. Their all new Beyond
MediSpa takes the art of beauty
a little bit seriously, too. With a
range of hard-working aesthetic
procedures, the spa goes more
than merely skin deep to plump,
firm, retexturize and even out skin
tone. Opt for a six-treatmentsin-one hydrafacial and you’ll
positively bounce out of the spa a
new woman (or man). Go for a full
on pamper, including a gorgeous
(but deep – elbows may be used.
At least they were on our stubborn,
knotted up muscles) ESPA
massage and you’ll bounce out,
then sleep like a baby. It’s nothing
short of transformational.
For more information, email
beautybazaar.Liverpool@
harveynichols.com or call the
store on 0303 123 7014.
Manesty’s Lane
harveynichols.com/store/
liverpool
LUSH
Lush does things a little differently.
Indulge yourself (or your loved
one) to a blissful couple of hours at
the city’s Lush Spa and you’ll see.
We love their ‘Hard Days Night’
ritual - a 75 minute treatment,
inspired by the Beatles. To a
soothing soundtrack inspired by
the fab four’s love songs, you’ll
slip into a comfy pair of PJs
and enjoy a soothing massage
and facial. Or how about the
otherworldly experience of The
Planets - Inspired by an evening
that Lush co-founder Mark
Constantine spent gazing out
at a starry night sky. This three
hour long immersive treatment
takes you on a journey through
34
your past, present and future – en
route, a deep, restorative massage,
a lifted facial, and a palm reading.
Different, yes. Divine, absolutely.
Whitechapel
lush.co.uk/products/treatments
CHILL OUT SPA
Chill out by name, chill out by
nature. Knowsley Hall’s gorgeous
Chill Out Spa bridges that gap
between results-driven and blissinducing perfectly. Advanced anti
aging facials and skin therapies
jostle for your attention alongside
energising massages and oooh
that’s good hot stone treatments.
But, drum-roll please, their
‘Shrinking Violet’ contour wrap
system promises to drop a dress
size after just one treatment. Now,
come on, there’s never a bad time
for that...
Ormskirk Road, Knowsley
chilloutspa.co.uk
HILTON DOUBLETREE
After seemingly an aeon, Hilton’s
second eforea spa in the UK has
opened within the new DoubleTree
by Hilton Liverpool hotel on Sir
Thomas Street. Eforea? What’s
that, we hear you mumble. Well,
it’s all about the holistic, here.
With a clear focus on the overall
health and wellbeing of guests’
body and mind, eforea spas take
more than a nod of inspiration
from those ancient healing
techniques – aiming to ensure
you “emerge brighter”. They’re
not ‘treatments’. Oh no. They’re
Journey Enhancements for either
feet, head and face, or shoulder
neck and scalp, drawing on the
teachings of Chinese acupressure,
Swedish massage, Egyptian
reflexology and the spiritual
concepts of Native American
healers. Wow, that’s a round the
world trip to bring you right back
to you, you might say.
TITANIC HOTEL SPA
Where, once, the basement of
this venerable old warehouse
was cold, dark and foreboding,
now it’s home to surely one of the
city’s most beautiful hotel spas complete with hydrotherapy pool,
sanarium, sauna and steam room.
Treatment rooms offer seaweedbased beauty treatments. Lie back
as those ever-so-clever marine
algaes get to work on giving you
back your glow in time for party
season. Or indulge in a top to toe
flowing body and scalp massage
that replicates the movement of
the sea. You don’t get seasick do
you? Oh good. Just checking.
Regent Road
titanichotelliverpool.arosuite.
com/spa-leisure
Clarins Day Spa
Tucked ever so neatly into John
Lewis’ second floor, the Clarins
Day Spa is a thing of beauty.
Here, just yards away from the
bustle of Christmas shoppers lies
a genuine urban oasis. Clarins,
long known for their knack
of unlocking the power (and
heavenly scents) of nature, offer a
full range of treatments with one
surefire guarantee: rejuvenationto-go. Whether you plump for a
rehydrating treatment, a triactive
facial (a state-of-the-art series
of facials designed to plump,
resurface and reveal a brighter
complexion) or a deep, restorative
massage promising to leave you
detoxified, sculpted and silky
smooth, this is the shopping trip
you’ve always promised yourself.
John Lewis
70 South John Street
johnlewis.com/our-services/
beauty-services
Sir Thomas Street
doubletreeliverpool.co.uk
Main feature image: Lush
Opposite from top: Beyond
Medispa, Lush, Suites Hotel
Right from top: Titanic Hotel Spa,
Chill Out Spa, Clarins Day Spa,
Hilton Doubletree
37
LIVERPOOL ONE
ONE
Christmas
Liverpool ONE is destination
Christmas this year, with Ice
Festivals, giant trees and a
theatrical touch of magic and
mystery in the air...
36
There’s something magical
happening at Liverpool ONE this
Christmas. More magical than
ever before, in fact. And it starts
with a bang – with the biggest
street party the city’s ever seen.
Expect snow cannons, string
quartets and fire in the sky! No
biggie, then...
Suitably enough, the party’s
centred on the tallest Christmas
tree in Britain. Standing a full 30
metres tall, the Paradise Street
tree weighs in at a mighty 23
tonnes.
“This was definitely our most
ambitious project to date,” admits
Simon Dews, Managing Director
of Trapeze Creative – the crew
behind the super structure. “It
took a team of six expert tree
builders, working flat out for two
weeks, to get it ready on time,”
he says.
“We’ve decorated it with 280
heart lights, 314 light rods and
more than 2,000 metres of cabling
to supply the power,” Simon
reveals. Make no mistake – this is
a tree with Christmas emblazoned
all over it.
And that’s just the start of the
celebrations. In a first for the city,
Liverpool ONE has joined forces
with Liverpool Empire’s Creative
Learning Team to conjure up a
light show the like of which we’ve
never seen before.
The show promises to whisk
us all away on an enchanted
festive journey. An escape route
into the heart of Christmas.
It’s all part of Liverpool’s One
Magical Christmas adventure - a
coordinated effort to make the
city one huge, open-air winter
wonderland.
Think choreographed lighting,
pyrotechnics panto characters and
fog horns. “The show takes the
audience on a voyage through the
Mersey into a magical adventure,
as we wait for Christmas to arrive,”
says Liverpool Empire Theatre
Creative Learning Manager
Natalie Flynn.
By the end of the show, we’re
betting there won’t be a dry eye
along Paradise Street.
“This is an incredible
opportunity to bring spine tingling
performances out of the traditional
theatre space and to the people of
Liverpool,” Natalie says. “It’ll be a
real red carpet event.”
Adding to the magic, the Ice
Festival will return to Chavasse
Park, including an ice rink and the
UK’s largest real ice slide. With
fairground rides, the return of the
(bigger and cooler) real Ice Bar
and the cosy Après Lodge serving
mulled wine and hot chocolate,
Liverpool ONE is pushing the
Christmas dial up to 11. Or should
that be minus 11?
“We’re busy preparing for
what may be our most impressive
Christmas yet and hope to bring
something that everyone, no
matter what age can enjoy,” says
Liverpool ONE’s Donna Howitt.
“At the heart of it, Christmas is
about that magical anticipation
for the big day, feeling loved
and creating heart-warming
memories. With the help of the
talented people at the Liverpool
Empire, we’re hoping to recreate
all of that and look forward to
the lighting up of the tree on
Paradise Street - a spectacle not
to be missed. And this is just the
start. Continuing throughout the
festive period, we want to make
sure that every one of our visitors
has the best experience ever, from
Christmas in shops through to
the Ice Festival on Chavasse Park.
Liverpool is so famous for its
warmth and character and I think
this will really come through this
Christmas at Liverpool ONE.”
See you under the tree!
Liverpool ONE Christmas Party
From 4pm, 13 November
liverpool-one.com
onemagicalcity.com
37
Christmas gifts
One for You,
One for Me
How do I love thee? Let me count the gifts...
HOME
Anglepoise lamp, The White Company,
Manesty’s Lane £138
Vintage Owl Stool, BHS, Lord Street,
£69
Stroller Desk, Made, Metquarter, £229
Jo Malone Candle, Jo Malone
Metquarter, £22
Liberty Cushions, John Lewis,
Paradise Street, £95 each
38
FOOD AND DRINK
Grow your own snails. Then eat them,
Delifonseca, Dockside £35
Hotel Chocolat, Truffles for two
advent calendar, Peter’s Lane, £26
Nespresso U Coffee, John Lewis,
Paradise Street £129
Baked Cheese Set, Next,
Church Street £14
Bartending Glass set, Utility,
Paradise Place £16.99
Lunya Hampers (pictured –
Tarragona Hamper), College Lane £65
HIM AND HER
Bush retro portable cassette
player, Argos, St John’s Centre,
£14.99
Wemyss Malts, Hive, Nauticalia,
Albert Dock, £38
Pink Headphones, Debenhams,
South John Street, £25
Hoverboard, Menkind,
Lord Street £399
Philips Friends of Hue colour
change light, Currys, £69.99
Italian Summer fig, Eau De
Toilette, Body Shop £18
Fitbit, Argos, St John’s Centre,
£93
My World Mugs, Museum of
Liverpool, Pier Head, £8.50
ProJect Elemental Turntable,
Richer Sounds, Berry Street £159
Stardust Bracelet, Swarovski,
Paradise Street, £99
Frida Kahlo socks, Tate Gallery,
Albert Dock, £7.50
39
Christmas gifts
KIDS
Minions backpack, BHS,
Lord Street, £20
Penguin mini buddy speaker,
BHS, Lord Street, £10
Street Magic kit, Debenhams,
South John Street, £20
Phone Projector, Utility,
Bold Street, £20
DAB Radio, Debenhams,
outh John Street, £60
Bashful bunny,
The White Company,
Manesty’s Lane £20
40
With Love from Liverpool
Then again, you could opt for a beautifully made gift, created in your
favourite city. We’ve plenty of opportunities to shop local, support the
crafting community and grab something truly original for your loved
one this Christmas...
1. Rex
There’s everything from art to
fashion, kids to big kids at this
vibrant mini mall on the upper
floor of the Metquarter. We love
PD Boutique’s flirty 50s inspired
fashions, and Secret Tour’s
Liverpool Tour in a box. Great for
a mooch around if you’re in need of
inspiration.
Metquarter
rexshop.co.uk
1
2
2. made-here
Liverpool’s longest-standing indiegift retailer, made-here is full to
the brim of the quirky and the cool
- from Factory Floor’s architectural
jewellery to Alison Appleton’s
sublime, Japanese-inspired tea
services. And, if you’re really smitten
by the Great Pottery Throwdown,
this will quench your pottery needs
as well.
Metquarter
made-here.co.uk
3
3. Pennington’s
This corner store is a real Ropewalks
gem - featuring cute soft furnishings,
screen prints, one-off driftwood
mirrors, and hares on everything
from lampshades to cushions (when
did hares become the new otters?
That’s what we want to know). Great
range of pocket money gifts for little
shoppers too.
2 Slater Street
@penningtonshop
4. ONEArt
When a collective of Liverpool’s best
loved artists and printers huddle
together to take on the High Street,
they’re bound to do it with style,
right? Liverpool ONE’s ONE Art is
the sleek and stylish result. Expect
lots of fine art prints, greetings cards,
decorations, ceramic tiles and instore demonstrations. And expect to
have to find space on your wall when
you get home.
Peter’s Lane
oneartliv.tumblr.com
4
41
Showtime
HIGHLIGHTS
For full details, and how to buy tickets, head to visitliverpool.com
Until 17 January 2016,
St George’s Hall
WEEPING WINDOW
Part of the iconic poppy sculpture
which attracted millions of people
to the Tower of London in 2014
will cascade down the external
façade of St George’s Hall – as
part of a UK-wide tour organised
by 14-18 Now.
Until 28 February 2016,
Lady Lever Gallery, New Ferry
PUTTING ON THE GLITZ
Dazzling 1930s evening gowns
take centre stage in the Putting
on the Glitz exhibition, revealing
how the glitz and glamour of
Hollywood was reflected in the
fashions of the period.
Ongoing-6 December,
Museum of Liverpool
IT’S GLAM UP NORTH
Photographer Rankin curates this
exhibition of works from some
of the biggest movers in art and
design and the blend of photos,
art, film, graphics and fashion
is as glam as the title suggests.
There’s a charity auction on 21
November, proceeds to Claire
House Children’s Hospice.
Ongoing-3 January,
Central Library
FRIDA AND ME
Kids and families can experience
the invention and magic of worldfamous Mexican artist Frida
Kahlo in this event conceived
by the Georges Pompidou
centre in Paris and the Mexican
government. Interacting with
Frida’s self-portrait in an
exhibition-workshop format.
7-21 November,
the Bluecoat
ALIEN SEX CLUB
Above: Frida and Me, Matisse in Focus
42
Striking multimedia project
exploring the relationship
between culture and HIV, with
artists, HIV specialists and
scientists working together on
three collaborations on three
consecutive Saturdays.
13 November,
Liverpool City Centre
Christmas Lights
Switch On
The lights throughout Liverpool
city centre and Liverpool ONE
will be switched on at 6pm on
Friday, November 13 - and get
ready for the huge Christmas at
Liverpool ONE party, centred
around the 30 metre tall
Christmas Tree, from 4-8pm.
13 November,
Unity Theatre
SARAH WATERS
Join Sarah Waters for a discussion
of her most recent - and chilling
novel, The Paying Guests which
was shortlisted for the Baileys
Women’s Prize for Fiction 2015.
Part of the Homotopia season.
20 November-1 May,
Tate Liverpool
WORKS TO KNOW BY
HEART: MATISSE IN
FOCUS
The Snail, a three-metres square
hand-painted paper cut out will
never again leave London so this
opportunity to see Matisse’s
iconic 1953 work for free is
spectacular. Also exhibited are
works by the master from 1899
onwards. There’s also a chance
for kids to cut and tear their own
paper works along with family.
21-22 November,
World Museum
MAKE YOUR OWN SOLAR
SYSTEM
28 and 30 November,
World Museum
NAME THAT PLANET!
Part of the Destination Space
initiative that celebrates the
European Space Agency’s first
British astronaut, Tim Peake. Get
hands on with experiments, space
equipment and live video footage
from the International Space
Station.
Ongoing-29 November,
FACT
HUMAN FUTURES
EXPOSITION
Eight International artists
present the work generated
during their impressive
individual residencies scattered
around the globe; the inspiration
is re-evaluation of how we see
what is around us.
28 November, 27 December
Camp and Furnace
YOUSEF DAYTIME
PARTIES
Can’t stick the late nights? Try
burning your candle earlier, but
way brighter at Yousef’s Daytime
shindig, starting at 5pm and
running through til 1am. It’s late
night clubbing, but in a different
time zone. The tunes, though,
they’re still up all night to get
lucky. Assorted DJ all-stars in
support.
28-29 November,
5, 12-13, 19-20 December,
9-10, 16-17, 20-31 January,
World Museum
DESTINATION SPACE –
FAMILY SHOW
More than a show – an
interactive exhibit/performance/
educational/entertaining
extravaganza that highlights how
those brave and brill astronauts
live, work and sleep in space. One
for kids of all ages, as they say.
25 November-6 December,
Empire Theatre
SHREK THE MUSICAL
A family-friendly show based on
the award-winning DreamWorks
movie, the musical version boasts
a load of instantly-catchy new
songs as well as the classic I’m A
Believer.
26 – 29 November,
Exhibition Centre Liverpool
28-29 November,
5,6, 12,13 December
Speke Hall, Speke
Victorian Christmas
at Speke Hall
Festive fun and family activities
around the house. Listen to carols
in the Great Hall, try out sugar
mice making in the kitchens (and
solve the festive trails inside and
out. And watch out for the festive
donkey rides!
1 and 8 December,
FACT
FACTLAB HACK
NIGHTS: FUSION 360/
OPEN SCAD
Free sessions dedicated to
designing objects in 3D. Bring
your own laptop to these free
one-off classes or sign up to an
introductory course online.
3-4 December,
Liverpool Playhouse
SCENE CHANGE
Presented by YEP Producers,
acts change from scene to scene
blending music, theatre, comedy,
magic and more. A great way
to see the young generation of
Liverpool talent.
4 Dec - 9 Jan,
Unity Theatre
PRINCESS AND
THE PEA
Continuing Unity’s partnership
with inventive children’s theatre
company Action Transport
Theatre, this year’s panto is a
melange of dance, music, song
and magic.
4-5 December,
Echo Arena
MICHAEL McINTYRE
If Mac’s new show Happy &
Glorious gets anywhere near the
success of his last one, Showtime,
he’ll be making more people
laugh than ever. That tour made
over 640,000 people laugh in
total – many times over the
course of the evening, too.
The Ultimate
Christmas Fair
7 December,
Echo Arena
Experience the North West’s
definitive luxury shopping
event this Christmas in one of
Liverpool’s world-class venues.
MUMFORD & SONS
These huge-selling Londoners
have reached out to millions
of fans for their intriguing,
From top: Destination Space, Shrek the Musical, Mumford & Sons
43
bluegrass-esque modern folk
songs and along the way picked up
2013’s Brit Award for Best British
Group.
10 December,
Liverpool Philharmonic
GARETH MALONE
The man behind The Choir brings
his own choral group, Voices, to
town. With he and they leading
the audience through a set of
popular and classic tunes, you
can’t help but join in – which is
encouraged.
10 December,
The Kazimer
DEAF SCHOOL
Art rock/new wavers, scousers,
punks – call them what you
will, but history will state that
Deaf School utterly changed
how Liverpool thought about
alternative music in the Seventies.
Since 2011, two new albums have
come out to great acclaim.
11 December-21 February,
FACT
FOLLOW
We’re all on the Internet, a lot
of the time, but how does the
44
experience have an impact on how
we perceive ourselves and the
world around us? Follow explores
image, identity, social media and
life and brings together a number
of contemporary artists in this
free exhibition.
12 December,
Echo Arena Liverpool
else – the clue is in the name as
people get stuck right in and let
themselves off the leash. Two
things that we reckon the mighty
Garlands is pretty much made
for, no?
18 December,
The Garage
DURAN DURAN
FREEZE PRESENTS
GILLES PETERSON
The newish romantics have
announced a UK arena tour
ending with the big finale at Echo
Arena Liverpool. Expect the big
hits, and a slew of rather good new
stuff too.
Peterson’s eclectic sets range
from pure house to World Music
influences from his travels. A
musical journey, then, on many
levels – so don’t forget to bring
your dancing boots.
12 December,
O2 Academy
21 December,
Liverpool Philharmonic
ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
CAROLS BY
CANDLELIGHT
1980s heroes bring their
influential songs and approach
back home. Ian McCulloch and
the band are one of Liverpool’s
most feted talents, and rightly so.
18 December,
Garlands
ARROGANCE PRESENTS
MAD FRIDAY
Mad Friday, the final Friday
before the big event, is something
Who doesn’t like a Chrimbo
Carol? Nobody, that’s who.
26 December,
Nation
CREAM GRAND FINALE –
PART THREE
The final installment of the
grand finale of this iconic night
at its spiritual home of Nation
will be a bittersweet affair for
many but the music is going to
be as top notch as ever with such
names as K-Klass (Live), Paul Van
Dyk, Duke Dumont, Tall Paul,
Chicane and none other than club
impresario James Barton guesting
on the decks. Where Cream heads
next will become clear but for
now, it’s farewell to the venue
where so many DJS made their
name and so many people mate
lifelong friendships.
27 December,
Liverpool Philharmonic
THE SOUND OF
MUSICALS
Classic songs from a host of classic
musicals including Anything
Goes, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair
Lady, Miss Saigon, Sunset
Boulevard, Cats, Les Miserables
and more. Will your favourite
feature?
1-3 January,
Echo Arena
LIVERPOOL
INTERNATIONAL
HORSE SHOW
Top class show jumping and
fabulous entertainment, displays
and all things concerned with
the magnificent animals.
Entertainment and music
Clockwise from left: Duran Duran, Echo
and the Bunnymen, Gareth Malone
Right from top: Abba Mania, Priscilla
Queen of the Desert, Mars Rover Robotics
provided by the likes of the
Bootleg Beatles alongside the
noble antics of those breathtaking
beasts.
9 January, Empire Theatre
ABBA MANIA
This show has been touring since
1999 and has sold out venues
worldwide with its bulging
repertoire of songs by the Swedish
pop geniuses. So get in touch
with your inner Dancing Queen
and remember Money, Money,
Money may be nice but The
Winner Takes It All. A-haaaaaa!
19-23 January,
Empire Theatre
LAST NIGHT A DJ
SAVED MY LIFE
None other than David Hasselhoff
is the star of this musical which
is having its World Premiere in
Liverpool. The story of a DJ Dad
and his errant daughter heading to
Ibiza plus a soundtrack of Balearic
beats will be as awesome as The
Hoff himself.
22 January 2016,
Echo Arena Liverpool
12 January, Empire Theatre
THE CORRS
HOZIER
The Corrs are back and it’s like
they’ve never been away. The
four piece band will rattle through
their back catalogue of popmeets-Celtic classics.
Winner of two Billboard Awards
and an Ivor Novello to boot,
Hozier truly is a phenomenon.
The Irish singer-songwriter is
expected to be hitting the summer
festivals hard this year so take the
opportunity to get on board early.
13 January, Empire Theatre
CIRCUS OF HORRORS
After having smashed it in the
West End and reached the finals
of Britain’s Got Talent, this
grisly, shandalous show heads
to Scouseville with a clutch of
bizzaro and shocking circus
artistes in tow. Not for the faint
hearted!
25-30 January,
Empire Theatre
PRISCILLA
QUEEN OF THE DESERT
The tale of three friends on a
road trip looking for love and
friendship is one of the feelgood
movies of the last couple of
decades. With a fabulous,
outrageous aesthetic, dancefloor
favourites and some wildly funny
dialogue, this stageshow ain’t no
drag.
14-16 January, Unity Theatre
30 January,
World Museum
MOVE OVER MORIARTY
MARS ROVER ROBOTICS
Tongue in cheek Sherlockisms as he investigates the
notorious Garibaldi Biscuit affair.
Terrifyingly hilarious characters
include Death Defying Dan and
his Whelk Infested Tank of Terror
and Molotov the Mind Man of
Minsk.
The title says it all: an utterly cool
way to up your understanding
of how those robots on Mars
work and the implications of the
very latest research including
that amazing announcement of
possible running water on the red
planet.
17 January, Kings Dock
2 February 2016,
Echo Arena Liverpool
CANCER RESEARCH UK
LIVEPOOL RUN
A 10km run to encourage people
to continue running even through
the winter. The route takes in
landmarks including Albert
Dock and the Three Graces down
specially-closed roads; a great
chance to see them from a unique
perspective, or to go down and
cheer on the athletes.
STRICTLY COME
DANCING
It’s time to dust off the glitterballs
and polish the judges’ paddles: the
Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour
is back and promises to be more
thrilling than ever before!
45
VINYL REVOLUTION
You Spin Me Right Round
Liverpool and music - that’s a relationship that’s never been in doubt. But
our renewed passion for the black, shiny 12 inch album? That’s a return
to an old love we thought we’d extinguished long ago. We pick four of our
favourite record shops spearheading the vinyl revolution.
JACARANDA
Why open a vinyl store?
The Jacaranda has a deep-rooted
historical connection with
Liverpool’s music business, so it
was a natural progression for us.
Since the venue’s genesis in the
1950s as a happening beatnik
coffee bar, it’s been a haunt for the
city’s musicians – up-and-coming
artists still crowd the stage in our
basement performance space, just
as The Beatles did 60 years ago!
Where do you get your stuff?
Because the store is exclusively
staffed by DJs, we have a deep
network of dealers and prodiggers to work with when
sourcing vintage records. We also
do a lot of the digging personally.
We’ve had rare mambo 45s I’ve
pulled out the back rooms of junk
shops in Greece, job lots of 60’s
46
garage LPs bought at car boot
sales, blaxploitation soundtracks
found in country village charity
shops...
Who are your customers?
When we opened up a few months
ago, we were curious as to what
our customer base would be like,
and the surprising thing is that
we still can’t work it out. Don’t
let the newspapers tell you that
the vinyl revival is run exclusively
by yuppie hipsters – we have
a wide variety of humans in
here! Our clientele’s age ranges
from 18 to 80, from classic rock
devotees to hip hop heads, from
Beatle-boosters to serious blues
aficionados.
What always shifts well?
It can be as unpredictable as our
customer base. Novelty stuff
does quite well, because nowhere
else really bothers to carry
Instructional Yoga LPs or standup comedy albums. It can be an
impulse buy with stuff like that,
as some records can be so unique
and weird that you have to snap
it up. You’ll see a Stevie Wonder
record wherever you go, but how
many shops have Rudyard Kipling
children’s stories, Maori war
dances, or the original soundtrack
from ‘Cocktail’?
What’s your holy grail - albums
you want but haven’t found
yet?
People often have different
motivations for wanting a record.
Sometimes it’s a record you’ve
heard a million times before, a
record you can pick up for £3...
but then you want the original
pressing, which incidentally costs
£300. Then other times, it’s a
record whose existence is only
legendary, like old delta blues 78s
that are so rare you’ll probably
never live to see a copy unearthed.
If anyone has an original 45 of
Ruth Brown’s “Daddy, Daddy”,
I’d like them to bring it in for me.
Is the format’s resurrection
here to stay?
Yes, I believe so. Though vinyl will
never bounce back to dominance
that it once enjoyed, I think it will
remain the medium-of-choice for
dedicated music lovers.
Is it, hand on heart, a better
format? Or is it about the
ritual?
Like you say, listening to music on
vinyl is tied to a ritualistic physical
act – putting the record on the
platter, dropping the needle,
waiting in anticipation for the
music to begin. It’s difficult to
say which sounds better. I think,
ultimately, you’d struggle to
to Madlib, Aphex Twin and
Orbital.
What’s your holy grail - albums
you want but haven’t found yet?
Carl: Lego Feet, the original Skam
compilation from 1991. Would
also be nice to come across a
collection of early hardcore/jungle
tunes like Tom and Jerry Scooby’s
Dreaming! some Nookie and the
Jungle Buddah EP. On the jazz
front I would weep if confronted
with an original Black Jazz or
Strata East collection…makes me
shiver!
notice the difference between a
high-quality digital file and a mint
platter of vinyl.
Any good new stuff, new reissues that you really like?
Re-issues provide the appealing
opportunity to finally own the LP
of a classic album without having
to fork out a fortune for an original
copy. We carry re-issue albums
across the board, from Nas to
Miles Davis, from the Frank Zappa
to the Kings of Leon. There’s
some great reissue compilations
out there, too. Soul Jazz Records’
excellent reissues of reggae,
rocksteady, and ska from the
Studio One back catalogue.
Slater Street
twitter.com/jacaranda_recs
Ant: The obvious answer is a stereo
pressing of The Beatles Please
Please Me album on the original
black & gold label. Personally a box
of 60’s UK Mod & Psych singles
would be an amazing find (but I’d
probably need to buy most of them
myself )! Lots of things really, an
Ideal For Living 7” by Joy Division
would be incredible and nearly
happened, or maybe God Save
The Queen by The Sex Pistols on
A&M. In fact, the more I think
about it, the list could be endless!
Is the format’s resurrection
here to stay?
Yes, but a large element of that
depends on people buying the
equipment to enjoy their records
with. Dropping a horrible cheap
tinny needle on a beautiful 70s
pressing of Curtis Mayfield will not
do justice to the music contained.
DIG VINYL
Is it, hand on heart, better - or
is it more about ritual?
Why open a vinyl store?
The ritual and relationship are
very important. Listening to
vinyl is a different experience.
You take part in it all, and you are
not simply passive, you actually
have a physical relationship with
the music. You can touch it. Of
course you also have the artwork,
sleeves, and inners that along with
the record give you a much fuller,
thicker experience of the music
and artists intent. Every record
and player sounds different but
if you invest in a decent system
the resultant warm, deep and rich
sound is in our opinion unbeatable.
Because we felt that Bold Street
without a record shop was similar
to the Liver building with no birds.
Where do you get your stuff?
If we told you that we would have
to delete you.
Who are your customers?
Across the board: hipsters,
hopheads, students, families,
middle aged men, punks, goths,
soul girls, kohl girls, old men,
young women, musicians, artists.
Our customers very much reflect
the snapshot of Bold Street on any
given afternoon.
What always shifts well?
The classics: Bowie, Zep, Floyd,
Dylan, Beatles, Fleetwood Mac,
Queen, the Who, Rolling Stones,
The Smiths. We also sell a lot of
funk, disco, soul and electronica
from artists like Sly Stone, Stevie
Wonder and Marvin Gaye through
Any good new stuff, new reissues that you really like?
We’re really digging Floating
Points, the Greg Foat Group and
King Midas Sound at present.
Reissue wise, we generally go for
the originals, but we have enjoyed
the Boards of Canada reissues and
the Broadcast reissues.
80 Bold Street
digliverpool.co.uk
“Listening
to vinyl is
a different
experience.
you actually
have a physical
relationship
with the
music”
TWO MORE TO TRY
Probe Records
The longest-running, and the
daddy of them all, Probe’s
diet of psychedelic, blues,
garage, punk, rock’n’roll
and indie has inspired and
informed up the city’s musical
makers and shakers since
1971: most of scouse music’s
extended family tree have
worked, shopped or skulked
here - from Dead or Alive’s
Pete Burns to Half Man Half
Biscuit. And it’s still firing on
all cylinders.
Bluecoat, School Lane
probe-records.co.uk
Skeleton Records
Hop over the water for
Birkenhead’s shrine to all
things prog, rock, indie and
pop. What always sells?
“Hawkwind. Has done from day
one,” says indefatigable owner,
John Weaver. “And Fleetwood
Mac’s Rumours. I mean, who
hasn’t got Rumours yet? It’s
unbelievable.” From back
catalogue gems to re-release
must-haves, Skeleton rarely
disappoints.
11 Oxton Road
Birkenhead
47
MY STORY
Eithne Brown
Eithne Browne never meant to be an actor. Never meant to star in
Blood Brothers. Or land a role in Brookside. Never really meant to be
one of Liverpool’s most loved stars of stage and screen at all really.
But boy are we glad that fate, and talent, had other plans in mind...
Image by Jane MacNeil
“I was born in Huyton, which
was still a rural community in the
late 50s. I suppose my first public
performance was singing at the
opening of Huyton’s new Catholic
Church. Of course, even at six, I
knew I was going to hell – every
Catholic kid did. So I had to put
on a good show. I wanted to do my
parents proud.
My father was a merchant
seaman. He’d spend long periods
away at sea until we were older;
then he’d do the cattle run from
Ireland to England. Mum kept the
house going. She was amazing.
She was a born entertainer, and a
gifted musician. But her voice was
a thing of beauty.
She regularly entertained
people at church halls. If they
needed someone to sing Ave
Maria, they called on her. My
grandparents ran the Castle
pub on Vauxhall Road, so our
weekends were often spent there,
where dad would regale us with
stories from his travels. He’d
bring the world back with him. I
loved learning about other people,
other cultures from him.
That’s probably why, even
in my 20s, I’d socialise with my
parents - the Casa, the Somali
Club - I’d take them everywhere
with me!
I suppose I’ve got my mum’s
face, and her voice - to a degree.
But I’ve not got her quality everyone stopped to listen when
she sang.
It’s the singing that got me
where I am, I suppose. I had a son
at 17 so, being a single mum, I
took a succession of jobs to make
ends meet. I was working at the
Medici Gallery in Bold Street
and a group of friends and I went
for a picnic in St James’ Gardens
48
beneath the Cathedral. Drink had
been taken, and I struck up a song.
I remember my manageress
being dumbstruck. “I didn’t
know you could sing!” she said,
and told me a friend was looking
for a singer to help him work out
some harmonies for a play he was
scoring.
That guy was working on a new
musical called Blood Brothers.
I got a call when I’d moved to
another job, selling blinds on
London Road. “I’ve heard you can
sing,” said the caller. Turned out
he was Musical Director for the
Playhouse, Peter Filleul. I had a
good ear for harmonies. So I could
help him to work out various vocal
parts. This was just to work out
the score, it was never an audition
for the play.
But somehow Willy Russell
heard the tape, and told me to
come in. The Director, Chris
Bond, had already set his heart
on Barbara Dickson, but Willy
insisted I was given a part in
the chorus for its opening in
“it’s a funny
life. you wait
for the call,
then pack
your little
suitcase and
go where the
work is”
Liverpool and, a few months later,
at the Lyric in London.
Then, one night, minutes
before curtain up, Barbara took
ill and I was put into her clothes –
which swamped me, I’m 6 inches
shorter than her – and practically
pushed into the spotlight. I heard
the groan when the audience were
told Barbara wasn’t performing.
And the only thought in my head
was, ha, you’ve all paid a tenner to
see a venetian blind saleswoman!
By the end of the show, I got
a standing ovation, and flowers
were thrown on stage. I ended
up doing 50 performances. I was
hooked.
I got the role in Stags and Hens
on the back of Blood Brothers,
but I’ve always done other jobs.
I’ve been a telephonist – I love
that, being able to talk to people
every day, and sometimes put on
different accents!
I had to audition three times
before they gave me the part of
Chrissy Rogers in Brookside – for
an actor, getting a regular job like
that is such a boon. I was living at
home, and earning money doing
something I loved. They were
very happy times.
It’s a funny life. You wait for
the call, then you pack your little
suitcase and go where the work
is. We toured with Tartuffe,
which was fantastic, but it’s still
not glamorous – you’re pulling
another suitcase through another
London station. All your life in
there! I’ve become very good at
living out of a case!
I never complain. I just think
‘thank God the work’s come
in.’ Some years are trickier than
others. That’s why people like
Steven Fletcher, and places like
the Royal Court are so fantastic.
When he put ‘Mam I’m ‘Ere’ on
over Christmas, he had to take
the risk. He had to hire the chairs,
pay for the staging. Everything.
But because of him, 16 people got
work over Christmas that they
never would have done otherwise.
And the Royal Court – what a
wonderful place that is. They
don’t get a penny in subsidies..
These days, I’m involved
with a lot of off-stage work,
and it’s incredible. I work with
recovery through drama –
projects aimed at younger people
who, for whatever reason, feel
marginalised, or who are at risk
of falling through the cracks of
traditional education.
I’ve seen young lads blossom,
grow in stature. It’s amazing to
see, just through a series of tricks
and hats and sessions, you give
one person the confidence to
stand up and say “I can do this.’
How can that not be rewarding?
It’s the same when we go into
Fazakerley Hospital, or care
homes, as the Twin Sets, dressed
in our 1940s garb. You can sit
beside someone in their hospital
bed and they will really open up to
you. You hear stories, see the staff
relax for a precious few minutes.
It allows us to see the patients as
human again.
Next up for me? I’ve got a
Christmas show at Scarborough’s
gorgeous Stephen Joseph Theatre
– playing the witch in Hansel and
Gretel, in a play scored by the
amazing band, Stornoway.
Acting? Well, 90% of the time,
you’re sitting in corner, in the
dark, talking to yourself. You just
bump along, being picked up and
then dropped again. But it gets to
you. Put a hat on me now, and I’ll
be off...
THE WAY I SEE IT
Freida McKitrick
With her vibrant, expressive and fluid pen and ink scenes, Freida
McKitrick captures the dynamic, restless energy of the city. Now she’s
working with a group of likeminded artists in a shop that perfectly
captures Liverpool’s creative spirit.
How did your creative life
start?
How difficult is it to make a
living as an artist these days?
I’ve always been interested in
creating as a hobby and it remains
a hobby, because hobbies are no
pressure! That’s why I still go to
workshops and courses related
to art. I’m always learning. I’m
now involved with a fantastic
and interesting diverse group
of artists working from a studio
in the Baltic area of LIverpool.
This makes life very interesting.
Every day there’s something new
going on. You learn a lot from
networking with other artists
Difficult but not impossible. Many
artists have other ways, such as
teaching, to earn their bread and
butter. I know from other artists
in and around the studio not to
depend on art to make a living. I
was a teacher for many years until
I retired and took on a studio with
friends, and here I am, enjoying
my hobby!
How did your distinctive style
develop - was it a gradual
process?
Do you think so? I’m not so
sure. I do illustrate a bauble at
christmas time, which helps to
pay the rent for me having the
luxury of a studio! Christmas time
in our ONEart shop is going to be
very special though. We’re going
to have events, previews and
launches up to Christmas.
I suppose I’m mainly a self
taught artist and the techniques
I’ve developed over time have
been taken on from studying
artists and experimenting with
different mediums. It’s all about
experimenting and developing
your style. Drawing with pen and
ink became a favourite medium as
it gave me the freedom to draw.
50
You’re known for your
Christmas scenes - is it a
special time of year for you?
Do you work outdoors, or work
from photographs?
I work in the studio mostly,
with a coffee and hot toast with
real butter, but to start with I
work outside and have many
sketchbooks on the go. I carry a
sketchbook with me most of the
time – and camera.
each, scrubbed floors, cleaned
windows, built counters, painted
walls and hung artwork!
What are your favourite
pieces?
I’m mainly shopkeeping on
Peter’s Lane, on the first floor of
the Interesting Eating Company
(to find us come through the cafe
up the stairs or in the lift), we’re
next to Ted Baker!
Three Graces was my very first
drawing, then I developed it
in many ways, adding rain and
snow and the lady with the
red umbrella. I then created a
drawing of the waterfront and
with the changing skyline I can
revisit it often.
ONE Art is doing tremendously
well - that must please you
immensely?
ONEart has been unimaginably
successful, due to the direction,
foresight and imagination of
Karen Edwards and Katherine
Caldwell, and myself of course,
the commitment and the belief
in ONEart from Liverpool ONE,
who are right behind us as we
move forward. The 14 artists
who have worked hard to create a
pop up shop, all contributing £20
What are you working on now?
freidamckitrick.co.uk
oneartliv.tumblr.com
“i still go to
workshops
and courses
related
to art. i’m
always
learning”