In May 2008, the UK's biggest open-air shopping and leisure complex opened in the city centre, but Liverpool ONE quickly became more than just somewhere to shop and have fun.
The complex soon proved to be a sanctuary for teenagers looking for a safe place to hang out and make new friends. Every weekend and school holiday during the late 2000s, Liverpool ONE ’s Chavasse Park would turn into a sea of teenagers sporting denim shorts with tights, Hollister hoodies, and brightly coloured Vans and Converse.
In between relaxing, teenagers would spend their day wandering around the great variety of shops and eateries. With there being around 170, there were plenty of stores, restaurants and more to visit. To this day, Liverpool ONE remains a go-to destination for teens to hang out.
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Many of the places that were around when Liverpool ONE first opened are still here today, but others didn’t quite stand the test of time. The list below shows what many teenagers got up to when they visited Liverpool ONE in the 00s.
Chavasse Park
During the summer, groups of teens would spread out across the grass, huddled around a Blackberry phone playing the latest hits out loud. They’d often send each other their favourite songs via Bluetooth, which in 2008 when Liverpool ONE first opened included Basshunter’s club classic ‘Now You're Gone’ and Madonna and Justin Timberlake’s ‘4 Minutes’.
Hollister
Hollister was a firm favourite of 00s teens, with many choosing to visit the store at the start of the day so that they could cover themselves with the popular body spray testers. Hollister’s paper bags were iconic in the late 00s, with many teens wanting to purchase something from the shop so that they could parade around Liverpool ONE with their Hollister bag, showcasing they were ‘on trend’ by purchasing the retailer’s products.
ODEON cinema
A trip to Liverpool ONE wasn’t complete without a visit to ODEON to catch the latest blockbuster films. When it first opened in October 2008 after relocating from London Road, teenagers would have caught The Dark Knight and Quantum of Solace, the latter being the second James Bond film to star Daniel Craig who grew up across the water from Liverpool ONE in Wirral.
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Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf
If teens wanted a bit of friendly competition, they’d head to Jungle Rumble which opened in Liverpool ONE towards the end of the 00s. The venue had two 18-hole indoor miniature golf courses surrounded by jungle scenery which allowed hours of fun. It permanently closed in 2018, but those wanting their mini golf fix nowadays can head to Junkyard Golf which recently opened in Liverpool ONE.
Claire’s Accessories
Another must-visit store for teenagers in the 00s was Claire’s Accessories, now known as just Claire's. Many teenagers purchased a new pair of quirky earrings on every trip to Liverpool ONE. As there was often a ‘3 for 2’ deal, teens would buy a few pairs then head back to Chavasse Park to compare their accessories with others and sometimes swap if they preferred each other’s purchases.
Sblended Milkshakes
There are often queues out the door at Sblended Milkshakes, especially during the summer. Back in the 00s, a trip to Liverpool ONE wouldn’t be complete without getting your favourite chocolate bar or sweets turned into a delicious milkshake - with Boost and Skittles being particular favourites back in the day. Giddy groups of friends would then return to Chavasse Park to sip their cool milkshakes.
Red Hot World Buffet
Based on The Terrace, Red Hot World Buffet was loved by teens before its permanent closure in 2015. After spending the day shopping or watching a film, groups would head to the restaurant to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines. The large space was particularly ideal for big groups of teenagers getting together for a birthday party.
Disney Store
For over a decade the Disney Store stood proudly in Liverpool ONE, having originally been based in Clayton Square. No matter your age, the shop was truly magical, with many shoppers keen to get their hands on memorabilia from their favourite Disney films. In the late 00s, teens who entered the store would find shelves stocked with toys from classic Disney films, as well as new releases, such as The Princess and the Frog, Bolt and Tinker Bell.
The latest series of Memory Lane is in major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Home Bargains and selected newsagents now. This series of the bumper picture special looks at fun in the sun - with stunning photographs and treasured memories of family holidays from years gone by. You can also buy Memory Lane online here.
Topshop/Topman
Liverpool ONE’s Topshop/Topman was the largest to open outside of London. Teens would spend hours exploring the clothing, footwear and accessories on multiple floors, before heading for the changing rooms and showing each other their outfit creations. The Church Street Topshop/Topman closed its doors for good in 2021 after Asos bought the brand and shut all branches of Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge.
HMV
Teens would spend hours browsing HMV 's vast selection of CDs, films, games, posters and more. Although iPods became popular in the 00s, some people still preferred to buy their favourite songs and albums on discs. The Liverpool ONE HMV store was the place to go to find your favourite singer or group’s new releases, or to discover new music. The Liverpool ONE store shut in 2021 and relocated to Williamson Square.
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