Iconic Liverpool fashion retailer Cricket Fashion is to open a 21,000 sq ft flagship store in Liverpool ONE. Tony McDonough reports
High-end Liverpool fashion retailer Cricket Fashion is opening a 21,000 sq ft flagship store in Liverpool ONE.
Launched originally as a menswear boutique in 1991 by Justine Mills and Gerard Mannix, Cricket moved into women’s designer fashion in 1999 and created what became an iconic brand for the city.
It was one of the first independent retailers to stock Christian Louboutin shoes and accessories. It has also offered clothes from Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Céline and Stella McCartney.
Its original store was based at Cavern Walks which, in the 1990s, was a small but thriving shopping mall. Cavern Walks declined rapidly following the opening of Metquarter and then the launch of the £1bn Liverpool ONE in 2008.
However, Cricket stayed at the location and remained a popular destination for fans of designer clothing. It wasn’t until 2018 that it upped sticks and relocated to Metquarter.
Cricket was named as one of The 50 Best Boutiques in Britain by The Daily Telegraph in 2019. And Justine Mills is established as one of the leading experts in the UK fashion industry.
Late on Wednesday, Liverpool ONE owner Grosvenor announced the boutique was opening up at the head of Peter’s Lane, already home to a number of high-end brands. It isn’t clear whether the Metquarter outlet will close.
Cricket’s new store, spanning three floors, will offer a range of designer menswear, womenswear, and children’s collections, alongside designer bags, shoes and accessories.
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Set to open early 2023, the new store will showcase curated collections from established luxury fashion brands including Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and Valentino, as well as up-and-coming designers.
Rob Deacon, senior asset manager at Grosvenor, said: “Cricket is the perfect addition to Liverpool ONE as part of our strategy to build our premium offer.
“The brand has a huge following nationally as well as across the North West. It will appeal to visitors with its unique selection of curated and exclusive fashion collections.
“It’s our pleasure to play a key part in the ongoing success of a fantastic local brand.”
This latest news follows an active year for Liverpool ONE with the opening of a number of premium brands. These include designer retailer Tessuti, footwear retailers Kick Game and Russell & Bromley, as well as the first Charlotte Tilbury store outside London.
Metis and CBRE acted for Liverpool ONE, while Cricket dealt directly.