The ECHO has spoken to a number of businesses in one of the city's most bustling student areas on what they bring to the table and how much of an impact the cost of living crisis is really having.
Liverpool's city centre economy has blossomed thanks to the city's student population, but after living in halls for their first year, a lot of students flock to Smithdown Road to rent private house shares with their friends or classmates.
The move has created a diverse community of locals and students mixing in traditional pubs, trendy bars and up and coming restaurants that have popped up along the stretch which runs from Toxteth through to Wavertree.
READ MORE: Hidden manor behind busy road set to go under the hammer
Smithdown Road itself is historic; the area was previously known as Smithdown and is listed in the Domesday Book. The causeway that developed into the road we know now is thought to date back to the 1770s.
Kevin McArthur, 39, runs Handyman Bar and Brewery. He's been living and working on Smithdown Road for two decades and told the ECHO students are "great for the community and local business".
"The places I've worked have always embraced both locals and students with both socialising and enjoying each others company.
"You do hear complaints over noise and house parties however that is minority giving the majority a bad name, a shared house of young professionals could be as loud as a house full of students."
Ragga's Caribbean Café is a much loved restaurant and takeaway that's been a constant at the Toxteth end of Smithdown for 16 years.
Head chef Verdain Griffin told the ECHO the student community has "changed" over the years and it could have something to do with the squeeze most people are feeling.
He said: "Students used to frequent us and other local independents a lot more a few years ago. Not so much now.
"I think with the cost of living going up they tend to cook more for themselves now and use the money saved to party. The only shops that I see benefitting from the students are Aldi and Asda. They are both rammed all hours.
"If they do venture out for a takeaway, it always seems to be done via Deliveroo or Just Eat and the like."
Kelly's Dispensary was taken over during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its new proprietor hailed the diversity that students bring to the area, but also shed light on the challenges the business is facing.
A spokesman told the ECHO: "Students bring a welcome additional diversity to the Smithdown area contributing greatly to the local economy. They also help keep the hospitality industry buoyant and vibrant.
"We tend to get large numbers of students coming to Kelly’s Dispensary that mix well with the locals. We believe that all generations and residents should coexist in safe and friendly places like our bar, that help create community.
"I think our biggest challenge is that our break even has greatly increased due to rises in almost everything we pay for, but we are reluctant to match those increases in a pint or food in case we scare people away."
READ NEXT:
Jon Venables' parole hearing pushed back again
City centre restaurant manager caught with £60,000 cannabis farm in his loft
Houses you can buy for as little as £20k across Liverpool
Cabbies helped snare taxi rapist in biggest manhunt in Merseyside history
Pregnant women living among cockroaches as Liverpool hits crisis point
