Bench Marking Their Territory

Think Liverpool ONE is sucking the life out of Liverpool's other shopping areas? Here's one shop that's bucking the trend with a fashion statement that'll please the top end of town.

In an interesting reversal of retail fortunes, we’re intrigued to note that, for once, a shop is moving OUT of Liverpool ONE, and IN to Bold Street. A nifty move, and one that augers well for Bold Street becoming a re-energized, and funky thoroughfare yet again.

In truth, the store – Bench – is no quirky indie, and it does already retail there, but, as Manager, Tom Haycock, tells SevenStreets, this is more than a mere retreat, it’s chance for the retailer to reestablish its identity.

“We’re going to be adding a whole new level of retail to the Bold Street store, with a focus on the brand’s new range of grittier, urban wear, and a smaller section of season-end items too. And the store will be getting a major refresh, reflecting our new direction.”

So why do it in Bold Street, and not in Liverpool ONE?

“Well, we had a look at our Liverpool ONE neighbours and, er, Swarovski isn’t really our thing…” Tom says, as he prepares to shut up shop on Paradise Street for good.

“Bold Street just feels right to us, it’s where we belong. And we’re happy to focus our energies there,” he adds. “The retailers along Paradise Street weren’t really attracting the sort of customer base we felt comfortable with.”

Which, as we say, is good news indeed - and shows that there is life outside Liverpool ONE. It shows too, that Liverpool ONE, for all its hoopla and hype, still fails to attract all of us. Something they need to take note of, perhaps. There is, we’re not afraid to admit it, more to life – and to shopping – than Hugo Boss and iPads.

Bench, Bold Street

31 January 2011

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http://Stoppingtherobot.blogspot.com John

L1 has no soul. It’s a retail mothership waiting to blast off for another city of culture/consumption. Bold St. and the surrounding area and its history of innovators should be nutured and treasured.
Stuart

I’d have preferred to see them stay in Liverpool One with all the other chains, rather than taking up retail space in Bold Street that could be more usefully occupied by an independent.
http://www.sevenstreets.com David

but if a couple of chains support Bold Street, you have to wonder – they may increase the footfall there, and give the independents a boost? Maybe?
offshore corporation

supposidly there is a time warp on this street ask derek akorah also one of the shops has a real well from the past still inside the shop cool. I love Bold Street which runs from St Lukes church the bombed-out one to join Hanover Street and Church Street…..Hairy Records is worth a mention for some really rare and obscure bits and pieces if you have time patience to rummage…..It also leads off onto Concert Square and Wood Street and all the little back streets for live music venues the FACT and nightclubs…..There are all sorts of shops on Bold Street and banks from The Body Shop Costa Starbucks and Home Bargains to more interesting places like Shared Earth and Smiffys…..Shared Earth sells handmade and fair trade jewellery and all manner of other items. These are unique and ethical…..Smiffys is a great costume hire shop which sells all manner of novelty joke items…..There is also The Works a cheap book shop which sells overstocks mainly…..You can also access Central station from here…..There are some other independent stores on Bold Street selling kitsch and unusual items.
http://outsidein-liverpool.blogspot.com/ Rachel

I’ve got mixed feelings; it’s great that the company is investing in its Bold Street branch (though the cynic in me wonders if sales figures in L1 weren’t high enough to justify keeping both locations). But, there are already several chains on the bottom half of Bold Street, as they’re generally the only ones that can afford the rents. I’ll be curious to see what kind of tenants Central Village signs up, beyond Odeon.
Mike

I’m with Rachel, it’s probably more a case of limited sales down there that has forced them to rethink the Bold Street store.

Bench is a key culprit of the homogenization of fashion in our (and other) cities.

For those old enough to remember, it was much better in its boutique days of number 57 Bold Street.
david

Loved 57 Bold Street. Got my first Hooch top there. And Psycho Cowboy jeans. Whatever happened to Psycho Cowboy?
http://www.sevenstreets.com Robin

While we pegged Offshore Corporation’s comment as spam immediately, we quite liked it – particularly the bit about asking ‘Derek Akorah’ about the time warp on Bold Street.
http://www.sevenstreets.com David

What? Did I miss something? There was a story of a time warp on Bold Street. This is true. The story, anyway. A man went into the 19th century or something, as I recall.
http://www.sevenstreets.com Robin

See upthread.

Can we get a comment from Derek Acorah on the Bold Street time warp that goes to the 19th century? Can we, please?

Rumour has it there’s a time warp back to the 60s somewhere near St John’s Market too..
Matt

Don’t forget Bold Street also boasts the world’s creepiest boy mannequin. A jewel in its crown.
http://www.sevenstreets.com David

This is true! Scares the sh** out of me, that one. Oh, better not swear on here these days. We have solicitors watching