Organised by Liverpool BID, Independents’ Week culminates on Sunday with Celebrating Bold Street – a huge street party takeover of the popular city centre thoroughfare. Tony McDonough reports
Restaurants, bars and retailers across Liverpool city centre, including Mowgli and Voodou, are this week taking part in Independents’ Week – a celebration of the value of independent businesses.
Organised by Liverpool BID, which last week secured a new five-year term, Independents’ Week culminates on Sunday with Celebrating Bold Street – a huge street party takeover of this popular thoroughfare which will include a farmers’ market, art and crafts stalls, and street entertainment.
Well-established restaurants taking part in the event include Mowgli Street Food, who will be cooking up an array of sweet and savoury delights throughout the day, American Pizza Slice, giving visitors the opportunity to create their own doughy-delights, and Leaf, who will be serving summer-inspired drinks.
Retailers taking part include Matta’s International Foods, who will be giving out samples outside, live music performances by Dig Vinyl, while News From Nowhere will be holding its famous “Bolshy Bargain Bookstall” outside the long-established bookshop.
Independents’ Week will see no less than 18 city-centre restaurants and bars offering deals and events to celebrate their independence, with Neighbourhood Liverpool on Castle Street taking 50% off bills from Monday to Thursday and One Fine Day hosting a packed week of events.
Silverberg Opticians in Whitechapel is offering a free pair of prescription sunglasses when you buy a pair of full price spectacles (terms and conditions apply) and Voodou in the Cavern Quarter offering 50% off haircuts for all new clients.
Nisha Katona, founder, Mowgli, and Liverpool BID Company levy payer, said: “Being our mothership and the birthplace of Mowgli, Bold Street holds a dear place in my heart.
“Before launching here in 2014, I used to park on the street on a daily basis and counted customers to Leaf and Bold Street Coffee which were then, the only established, thriving hip independents. The whole scene and atmosphere in the Bold Street area really excites me.”
Bill Addy, chief executive, Liverpool BID Company, added: “We created Independents’ Week to champion our BID independent levy payers and showcase the rich independent offering in the BID areas.
“Local entrepreneurship and family business is what gives our city its unique character – and is a beating heart that needs our support to secure its continued growth.
To see the full Independents’ Week and Celebrating Bold Street programme click here.