Waterloo and Crosby are known for their proximity to the coast and a great selection of bars and restaurants, but one road is making a name for itself among locals.
St John's Road is off Crosby Road North and is a mix of old and new. It's peppered with bistros, butchers shops, convenience stores, salons, delis, a laundrette, clothing boutiques and even a cheese shop.
Steve Rice opened popular restaurant The Workshop on the corner of St John's Road and Crosby Road North eight years ago with business partners Neil Fairbrother and George Graham Watkins. Steve told the ECHO it was an "easy decision" to move to the site and the road is now "coming alive in more ways than one".
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He added: "We've got some great businesses and it's very community orientated. Operating was difficult at first because of our concept. Small plates were new to the area, and it's not tapas, so it was a slow rise."
Steve gave a nod to the businesses that have been operating on St John's Road for years, namely Caz's Kitchen and Hampers. He said: "They've been the reason why this road has been a success."
The Workshop is now booming and boasts a roof terrace for drinks. Steve said: "We used to be a stop off point before town so it was quite transient, but now we're retaining guests all night."
The three restaurateurs have recently expanded with new additions Duke & Duke, a neighbourhood bistro taking you from breakfast to dinner, and stylish cocktail bar Ophelia's. But Steve is aware of the economy and said it's important to "keep a clear head".
He added: "The industry is tough at the moment and there are great operators having to shut their doors."
Claire Smithwick owns Your Flower Co, a florist with show-stopping displays outside. The site has been in use as a florist for 70 years, although Claire took it over under its current name just three years ago.
Speaking of St John's Road, she said: "It's a bit like the Lark Lane of this area. We've been through Covid - we took over in December 2019 and went into lockdown in the March - but it's turned out fine for us.
"A lot of local businesses here want to help and support each other and a lot of people shop local too. We all look out for each other."
Anfield-born Lee Zeverona opened trendy delicatessen Crosby Cheese & Charcuterie in September 2021 and said it was the mix of independent businesses that drew him to the Waterloo road.
Cheese and wine was originally a hobby for Lee, but he decided to turn it into a career and the concept has been "well received" by people in the area. He added: "People are coming in who aren't used to having a cheese shop. We're giving people the opportunity to try something they've never tried before.
"December was chaos. I'm trying to get the message out that cheese is for life, not just for Christmas! We had queues round the corner on Christmas Eve."
Lee said his main customers are young families, with couples coming in and buying goodies for after they've put the little ones to bed. He also hosts 'cheese nights' at venues in the local area and beyond.
He added: "It gives us the opportunity to go out and give people a taste of what we have in the shop and provide some information. I've found it helps me market the business without just having to go on social media."
Further down St John's Road and tucked away in a nook off Lyra Road is gift shop The White Whale. It's headed by merchant seaman Howard Reese, who also specialises in making stained-glass windows and Tiffany-style lamps. He opened The White Whale on the corner of Lyra Road two years ago.
He opened the shop two years ago and has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and austerity. Howard said: "Nothing's recovered fully yet. From September onwards, after the breakout of the war in Ukraine, it was dead on the whole street."
This hasn't dampened the community spirit, according to Howard: "Everyone talks to everyone else. Lots of businesses do really well, especially Colin's Carpets."
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