Liverpool is ever changing and we can only imagine what will come next - but it is hard not to get nostalgic, even when we think of the city's more recent past.
Back in the noughties, Paul's Boutique bags were at the height of fashion, Girls Aloud were named the winners of Popstars the Rivals and Mean Girls first hit cinemas. Liverpool FC was crowned winner of the 2005 UEFA Champions League and Tony Blair was Prime Minister.
Many of the things we loved to do back then are now confined to the history books. But they do still live on in our memories and photos.
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For some, the 00s feels like only yesterday. But now over a decade on, we've rounded up 15 things you could do then in Liverpool that you cannot do now.
The list below isn't intended to be comprehensive, we've selected a number of relics from the past. But, if there is something you feel we should have included, please let us know in the comments section.
1. Go to the Christmas grotto inside Lewis'
Liverpool retail entrepreneur David Lewis, founder of the famous Lewis’s store, opened the world’s first Christmas grotto in his Bon Marche store on Church Street in 1879. When the grotto first opened in Lewis's, it was known as 'Christmas Fairyland' and packed with festive decorations.
Decades on, the famous cavern-like venue officially became the world's oldest Santa's grotto, according to Guinness World Records. It was decided that the huge grotto would continue following the closure of Lewis's in 2010 - meaning we've not enjoyed the grotto at the Lewis' site specifically since then - but it has relocated over the years to Rapid Hardware and then St John's Market.
2. Sit on the brown Merseyrail seats
It's been over a decade since Merseyrail stations were refurbished to shake off their 'dated' but distinctive look. Commuters will remember what it was like to be at the stations before they lost all their 1970s trappings.
This includes brown wall cladding and black rubber floor tiles to its harsh fluorescent lighting, they were all part of our day-to-day journeys. Around 2015, the Merseyrail stations transformed with a new look.
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3. Shop at Quiggins
If you were an alternative kid growing up in Liverpool in the 90s and 00s then Quiggins will need no introduction. Its location on the corner of School Lane in the city centre was the meeting point for punks, goths, skaters, metalheads, ravers and anyone in between.
Filled with small independent businesses, Quiggins was much more than just a shopping destination. But sadly the shopping market closed its doors in 2006.
4. Get tickets to a gig at the L2
In 2000, The Lomax in Cumberland Street closed its doors and moved into a new setting within sister venue the L2 nightclub in Hotham Street. L2, itself, existed between 1998 and 2002 and over the years hosted Top of the Pops, as well as performances from the likes of Paul Weller and many local musicians.
The building later became home to Carling Academy. Now, music lovers will know the venue as the O2 Academy Liverpool.
5. Walk down Paradise Street before Liverpool ONE
Long before John Lewis, Apple and The Hilton, Paradise Street was a very different place. Since it was built, the ambitious Liverpool ONE shopping complex transformed forever the landscape of the city centre.
But many will remember walking down Paradise Street and what the area used to look like prior to this, as seen in the above image. Since Liverpool ONE's completion in 2008, which coincided with the year Liverpool awarded the European Capital of Culture, our archive photo shows just how much the area has changed since the early 2000s.
6. Head to Baby Blue on Albert Dock
In 1998, Blue Bar & Grill first opened and its success later gave way to Baby Blue, a members club situated in the basement of the restaurant. Occupying a large part of the Edward Pavilion at the Albert Dock, the affectionately known ‘Blue’ was a staple for famous faces.
Baby Blue attracted big names, from local stars to international legends and while a schedule of high profile DJs were regularly found behind the decks at the nightclub, it was perhaps best renowned for its comedy nights. By the late 2000s, Baby Blue made the full time switch to becoming a comedy venue under its new guise of Liverpool Comedy Central.
7. Queue outside the Virgin Megastore
If you grew up in 90s or 00s Liverpool, it's likely you headed to the Virgin Megastore to buy your first CD, browse at the weekend with your friends or queue up to meet your favourite boyband. As a kid, you could spend ages scanning through the charts and seeing what your pocket money would get you, or you could spend all day waiting in line with parents or friends in the hopes of getting a signed CD from a popstar.
Liverpool had a store in Clayton Square and it's also been 15 years since a visit from Quentin Tarantino saw fans queue for 12 hours. But by the late noughties, the Virgin Megastore chain went into administration before becoming Zavvi and closing all together.
Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
8. Have a Maccies at Anfield
Opened in November 1995 as part of Liverpool Football Club's new Kop Grandstand complex, Anfield stadium's own McDonald's was believed to be Europe's first football ground burger bar. During matchdays, spectators could buy McDonald's meals across counters inside the stadium, with the restaurant being open outside to the general public on other days.
Liverpool fans throughout the years will no doubt remember enjoying Big Macs, Happy Meals and even special 'Kop meals' that were on offer at the venue, which was opened by players Steve McManaman and Jason McAteer. At one time a key part of a Red's matchday ritual, the McDonald's restaurant closed in 2003 due to insufficient profits.
9. Dance the night away at Krazyhouse
In the early 1990s, The Krazyhouse on Wood Street burst onto the city-centre scene and became famous for its indie, rock and alternative scene. Also synonymous with Liverpool students, it was affectionately known as the K! to loyal clubbers.
In 2018, the closure of the nightclub was lamented by many as the end of an era. That same year, the venue reopened as Electrik - but the spirit of Krazyhouse lives on.
10. Enjoy a free birthday meal at Damon's
Located at the Old Airport, Speke, Damon's first opened back in 1992 and was known for its American-themed menu. Serving ribs, burgers, seafood dishes and more, it was a popular place for Liverpool families to book a table to celebrate an occasion, with guests often spotting other customers with the likes of birthday banners or balloons when they walked in.
Going back a few years, it wasn't unusual to show up with a passport on the big day as proof to have the price of the birthday meal struck off the bill. But by 2017, the venue closed for good and later became The Chinese Buffet.
11. Tune in to watch Top of the Pops weekly
Music chart TV programme Top of the Pops was broadcast weekly by the BBC from 1964 through to the noughties. Part of many household's memories, the programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show.
But by July 20, 2006, the last episode of Top of the Pops aired. Whilst Christmas Specials do still air annually, we haven't been able to watch the show weekly as we previously did since the 00s.
12. Spot a celebrity at Newz bar
Back in the noughties, Newz Bar was where all the celebs wanted to hang out - and so did we. One of the city-centre's best known bars, the Water Street venue quickly became an integral part of the entertainment scene, regularly attracting local A-listers and those visiting the city.
Its glittering guest list included everyone from Lady Gaga and Ne-Yo, to Coleen Rooney, various members of Girls Aloud and countless premier league footballers. Newz Bar closed its doors in 2014 and later became Amanzi, District House and now Hooters.
13. Watch a film at Edge Lane Cineworld
Located in Edge Lane Retail Park, many will remember the former Cineworld venue first opened as an eight-screen MGM in 1991, as a project of Cineplex Odeon. By 1995, it had been renamed Virgin and later UGC in 1999. The UGC later became Cineworld in 2005 - the last chapter of buildings life.
It continued to attract film-lovers of all ages for a decade to see the latest releases, go on first dates or enjoy a Tango Iceblast. But in April 2016, cinema-goers heard that Liverpool’s Edge Lane cinema was to close in three months.
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14. Go to The Frenzy
A staple part of growing up in noughties Liverpool, The Frenzy was arguably a stepping stone for tweens and teens to get a taste of "a real night out" - without the alcohol and hangovers. It was a disco-like ticketed event for kids that often took place on a Thursday and was a place to friends to come together, dance to cheesy music and socialise on a school night - and often the topic of conversation the following day on the corridors.
Instead of cocktails and beers, youngsters would queue up for fizzy drinks like Panda Pops and the dress code consisted of kitten heels and Lacoste tracksuits. Started by Liverpool DJ and event planner Andy Weir, it became regular event in Bromborough, Childwall, Huyton and beyond.
15. Buy a book at Borders
It's been over a decade since we last step foot into our local Borders, which stocked thousands of titles and magazines, as well as cards, CDs, DVDs and more. Borders first opened in the UK in 1997 and was originally owned by the US book giant of the same name.
But by the early noughties, the bookshop phenomena had come to Merseyside and had sites in the surrounding areas, with branches in Warrington, Ellesmere Port and Speke Retail Park. By Christmas 2009, all Borders stores had closed, although a number of the bookshops still exist abroad.
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