If you were an 'alternative' kid in Liverpool in the '80s and '90s then you will understand the devastating loss felt by many when the original Quiggins market closed.
Opened on the corner of School Lane in Liverpool city centre in 1986, it became a hangout for the city's goths, punks, metalheads, skaters and ravers. The unforgettable smell of incense hit you as soon as you walked through the doors to Quiggins, whose delights were spread over four floors.
The market was home to antique dealers, tattooists, jewellery makers, alternative fashion labels, rare record sellers and anything else with a leftfield sensibility, similar to Affleck's Palace in Manchester. In 2003 the ECHO wrote: "Then there's antique furniture and interior stores, an art gallery, a specialist shoe shop, a barber's, a hairdresser's - and stalls for tarot card readings and tattoos. Basically, you can buy anything from a coffin to a candelabra."
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Another attraction of the original Quiggins was its much-missed Brook café. Decked out with rustic wooden tables and vintage advertisements, it was the perfect place to socialise, drink, or buy a cheap but hearty meal.
Quiggins closed in 2006 when the building was part of a compulsory purchase order for the creation of Liverpool One. Despite a petition with over 100,000 signatures being presented to Parliament, the plans went ahead.
An attempt to recreate Quiggins was made when a number of its shops moved into a new spot at Grand Central on Renshaw Street. This was ultimately unsuccessful - for many it lacked the charm of the original, and the relocated market was eventually replaced in 2018 by a food hall.
The magic of Quiggins was that it was more than just a shopping destination, it was a hub for people to meet up, socialise and express themselves through wearing whatever fashions and colour hair they thought fit. Speaking in July 2021, former regular Pixie, who started going to Quiggins in her teen years told the ECHO: "The café was the best meeting place.
"Even if you were early, you could get a drink, and just sit and read a magazine or a book until your friends arrived and you always felt like you could stay as long as you wanted. You'd always find something there that you needed, whether it was some incense, a new bright hair dye, a piece of jewellery, a new band t-shirt or a new outfit for a night out.
"The thing about Quiggins is that you always felt like you belonged - everyone was welcome. Whether you were a goth, a skater, a hippy or a punk, it felt like it was YOUR place."
Skippy, who was also in her teens when she discovered Quiggins describes her feelings on its final day. She said: "We went on the last day it was open and it was such a sad day.
"We had lunch one last time in our spot in the café, chatted to people, listened to the jukebox and took one last look at the view. It was so hard as the whole place just felt emotional that day.
"The shops and traders were losing something special as much as we were, and our kids have done. It’s such a shame the powers that be decided to get rid of it as it was such a special place."
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This week, the ECHO published a story revealing plans to turn the recently sold Cavern Walks shopping centre into a 'new Quiggins' full of independent retailers. The new owners are reportedly aiming to recreate the pull of alternative indoor market Quiggins in their new venture.
Cavern Walks was built in the 1980s and was packed full of high-end boutiques in the 1990s and early noughties, but has suffered a decline in recent years. The site has now been acquired from Signature Living by a joint venture between JSM Company Group and Greenwood Developments.
JSM, which owns several bars on Mathew Street, hopes to turn the shopping units on the ground floor into a haven for independent and "quirky" retailers. Matt Crebbin, of JSM, told the ECHO: "As a Liverpool based company, we know how popular Quiggins was and how it is still fondly remembered. We would love to create a similar experience in Cavern Walks."
However, on hearing the news, many fans of the original Quiggins expressed their scepticism that anything like the original Quiggins could ever be recreated. ECHO reader JP O'Neill said the original alternative indoor market was "lightning in a bottle".
He added: "I don't think you can recreate Quiggins. Grand Central was good, but it lacked the feel and independence of the original." While Daisy O'Quigley added: "Nothing will ever replace the original Quiggins I can still remember the smell and atmosphere to this day."
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Elizabeth Jane said she "can't picture anywhere ever having the atmosphere Quiggins did". While Alice Jones said she doubts it can "beat the original".
While some readers were doubtful, others were equally excited about the prospect of Quiggins' return. Danielle Erica said: "Quiggins coming back and Blink 182 going on tour... my inner Emo kid is screaming."
Does Quiggins awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
Sarah McDonnell added: "Really hoping the new Quiggins has the same essence as the original. Looking forward to going."
While Ruth Jefferies said she "loved" Quiggins in the 1980s and thinks the new plans are "amazing". Phil Painter added: "If they keep the rent low as possible, it might work. But you can't beat the Quiggins on School Lane."
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