A small industrial estate tucked away in the city is a hub of activity which many may not know about.
Nestled behind Costco, and just before the waterfront at William Jessop Way, you would be forgiven to think the estate off Gibraltar Row was mainly industrial businesses. At one time the King Edward Industrial Estate was just this, however in recent years it has seen some changes.
Now people can find breweries - the Carnival Brewing Company and Azvex Brewery and Taproom - a bakery named Take The Cake, Rocco's Kitchen - an Italian eatery, escape room ClueFinders Liverpool, Hatchett Harry's Axe Throwing, Crew 42 Gym, among existing industrial companies. Ceramic tile company, All the Shapes Tiles & Co, has also recently opened an "eco-friendly design and materials innovation" hub at the site.
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The site appears to be in the perfect spot for such businesses and gives people in the city an alternative place to enjoy a day out. It is a stone throw away from the business district off Old Hall Street, down the road is the Liver Building and Waterfront and it is near to the hub of development of Ten Streets.
The estate is now part of Peel L&P's Liverpool Waters development, which has named the area the King Edward Triangle, it describes the site as "brought together with vibrant and active public spaces." On its website, Liverpool Waters said there are also plans for the estate's future, it said: "In line with the overall masterplan, King Edward Triangle will be transformed into a mixed use district with innovative new homes, office space, shops and entertainment this will be a place people go, enjoy and live."
Change is coming
Change is already happening in the area, including plans to erect a 16 storey residential block on the site of former Greek restaurant Bacchus Taverna on Waterloo Road. Closing for good towards the end of 2021, the family run restaurant was one of the few hospitality businesses still operating in the Waterloo Road and Regent Road area.
The three storey building set to make way was also home to a café and Material recording studios. The recording studio has since moved to a new location in Vauxhall.
The site was also home to the highly popular Frank's Cafe which was a staple of the North Docks for 50 years before closing in 1999. City centre Labour Councillor Nick Small described King Edward Industrial Estate as a "real success story" and thinks "the future is very bright for the area."
The ECHO spoke to some of the businesses at the estate on why they chose the site to set up business and what the future holds for them. Dom Hope-Smith, director of Carnival Brewing Company, moved onto the site in December 2019.
'It seemed like the perfect place'
The 44-year-old, who lives in Wavertree, started his company as a hobby, brewing beer in the kitchen of his home which he said his wife complained about as it was blocking their kitchen. Dom's future business partner, who he met at a charity carnival, suggested coming and brewing beer in his empty garage.
After buying a bigger brewing kit, Dom's product quickly gained interest and eventually the business went legal in 2017 under the name 'Carnival,' paying tribute to the setting the original idea was first manifested. Carnival were soon supplying a number of pubs in Liverpool and moved to a bigger site at the King Edward Industrial Estate where they have remained since.
Speaking to the ECHO, Dom said it was the closeness the site was to the city centre which sold it to home. He said: "It's proximity to the town centre really. At the time there was nothing around really, obviously you have the Baltic area, the Baltic Triangle. At the Baltic Triangle there seems to be a lot of development going on and there weren't any suitable premises there.
"When I was originally looking for somewhere, we were going to be in South Liverpool but that didn't really work for us, so then we quickly started to look elsewhere. We very quickly found that place actually and wanted to look around, mainly because of the proximity to Liverpool city centre.
"That's the main reason. Behind us we have got the waterfront, in front of us we got Beacon tower, to the right of us we have the Liver Building and to the left us and you have the Ten Streets area which is like the developing, buzzing area in itself.
"It just seemed like the perfect place." Dom said since opening his brewery, the estate has seen some changes which allows choice for customers, The 44-year-old said: "It's been really good because we were sort of out on our own.
"There was us and then a lot sort of industrial businesses. The business opposite does commercial lifting, there was a paint place, a car hire place, some fitted floors. Since we've opened a few more businesses have been attracted to the area which are more leisure-orientated."
'There is still sort of a mental block for people that there is nothing there'
He added: "It's really good for our customers because when our bar is open, their not just coming to us. They can go Azvex for a drink or visa versa or they can get something to eat from Rocco's as well. It gives people more of an excuse to come down."
Walking past you could miss the hidden treasures at the estate due to the brown unit blocks they are situated in and connectivity to the city centre, something which Dom believes is an issue. He told the ECHO: "What I would like to see more of is people discovering us because there is almost still sort of a mental block for people that there is nothing there because it's just like an odd looking place.
"You have these buildings that don't look like they really fit in with the landscape. We need more signage up to show people we are there. I think the Strand because it sorts of cuts through in front of, it almost makes a sort of barrier."
Dom believes there needs to be more improvement to the accessibility coming down to the industrial estate especially from Old Hall Street to St Pauls Square but said there are plans to create an accessible walkway. He added he "wasn't sure how many people in Liverpool are generally aware of it."
He said: "When people come down and see is they are like 'wow', they are really blown away by it. Our bar is alternative, nice, spacious and on summers day we have outdoor heating and we have food, live music there, the beer is really good and the staff are great.
"And you have Azvex which has a similar sort of vibe almost and it provides people with a bit of an alternative. It's something different."
'It all just sort of fit together'
Adam Henderson and Dominique Henderson, originally from Arbroath in Scotland, previously told the ECHO they moved to Liverpool because it's a "cool city" with "excellent water for brewing beer". They opened brewery and taproom Azvex on the King Edward Industrial Estate in June last year.
Like Dom, Adam said he "liked the proximity to the city centre" the site was to open his business. He added it was the building was the "right size" for what he was doing and was given the go-ahead to open the brewery.
He told the ECHO : "So it all just sort of fit together." When asked if the estate was becoming an upcoming spot, he said it was "probably a bit too early to say" but they have been busy since they opened.
Adam, who lives in Toxteth said: "It's probably a bit too early to say really because we are coming out the back of lockdown and this is the first sort of freedom. For us we have been busy straight away, so maybe that is a good sign and indicator that it is happening."
More signposts and connectivity needed
Similarly to Dom, the 33-year-old added accessibility and more signage is needed. He said: "I am relatively new to Liverpool so there is a footfall that comes off the Strand down into one of the entrances into the site but it has been blocked off since I have been here, I don't know if there are any intentions of opening that or not and then there is a set of stairs coming down to the stairs but they have seen better days and could do with bit of maintenance.
"There is also no real disability or wheelchair [access], it's all kerbs and stairs, so that would help I think and more signposts."
Chris Capes, director of development at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters said they are aware improvements need to be made to the connectivity to the site. He said: “It is fantastic to see King Edward Triangle at full occupancy with a great mix of companies, including many local independent businesses.
“We are aware of the need to improve connectivity between Princes Dock, King Edward Triangle and Liverpool’s business districts, potentially involving crossing points over The Strand, signage and other measures. Proposals have been developed and we are working with Liverpool City Council’s highways team and the Liverpool BID company to bring them forward as soon as possible.”
'Real success story'
Liverpool City Council confirmed talks are going on about next steps for this estate and the Strand cycle lane which currently ends just before the site is to be completed this year. Cllr Small also said about the estate's success.
He told the ECHO : ”The King Edward Industrial Estate has been a real success story over the last few years with exciting new businesses moving in, including a lot more night-time economy activity This has happened alongside the existing businesses there. I think the future is very bright for the area.
"There’s been new residential developments on Princes Dock, as well as plans for residential on the King Edward site itself. The new cycle lane on Bath Street has been amazing. In terms of what the City Council and Peel should be doing now, I’d like to see more green space in the area, public realm improved and improved connectivity between Princes Dock, King Edward Industrial Estate and the Commercial District, with improved pedestrian crossings across the Strand. These changes would help accelerate private investment in the area.”
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