Find your bearings between the river and the centre
Liverpool’s centre has several distinct quarters rather than one uniform shopping district. The waterfront around the Pier Head gives the city its familiar river-facing skyline; the streets inland lead towards shopping, offices, theatres and places to eat. Hope Street and the Georgian Quarter offer a different setting from the dockside.
For a first look, spend time at the river before choosing another quarter. A waterfront outing, an evening around Hope Street and a browse in the neighbourhoods each show a different part of Liverpool.
Neighbourhoods have their own daily life
Aigburth, Wavertree, Allerton, Garston and the streets around Smithdown Road have shops and services used by residents as well as visitors. A useful local directory should help with an everyday appointment or repair as readily as a city-centre meal.
Read the address on each listing. A business using Liverpool in its name may be based outside the central streets or offer visits to customers rather than operate a public shop.
Keep the wider area clear
Liverpool city, Merseyside and Liverpool City Region describe different areas. Nearby Bootle, Crosby, Waterloo, Seaforth and Litherland are in Sefton; Formby is further north. They can be relevant to Liverpool customers without being Liverpool city-centre branches.
Those surrounding places have their own high streets and local identities. The directory includes relevant nearby services while keeping their bases visible, so you can find a business in Liverpool itself or one convenient to your part of the wider area.
Plan a visit around one or two stops
Combine a waterfront walk with food nearby, or make Hope Street and a performance the focus of another visit. A neighbourhood shop, café or workshop can be a reason for a separate outing rather than one more stop on a city-centre circuit.
For a specific appointment, ask the business about access and parking. Our other guides cover things to do, shopping and community contacts, with links to the organisations responsible for the information.
Spotted something out of date? Let us know.