What is operating in Liverpool like?

Liverpool, which crowned the 2008 capital of culture, was the host location of the first MA Leaders Club of the year where delegates heard from a range of stellar speakers at Pins Social Club last week (Thursday 8 March).

Iain Hoskins of Ma Pubs, Elaine Clarke of Baa Bar and John Ennis of GSG Hospitality revealed the opportunities and challenges of trading in the city.

Ennis said: “[It is] weekend led at the moment and we aren’t seeing much growth in the week like Manchester has and I don’t know what it is.

“When Liverpool hosted Eurovision in 2023, I noticed the city can be really packed out but we just don’t see it that often, which is a shame.

Clarke agreed with Ennis around the quiet mid-week trade and outlined how the student market impact the city.

Hit and miss

She said: “Mid-week is tough, it used to be the start of the weekend is a Thursday but Fridays are tough now.

“Saturday is buoyant with lots of stag and hen dos as well as people visiting the city. Eurovision helped Liverpool strengthen the scene.

“We have two major football teams, that brings quite a bit but it’s a little hit and miss. You’ve just got to keep it tight and hope things change.

“We have a strong student night and because of the student market, we get out of towners at the weekend and students mid-week.”

Hoskins has three sites in the business district area of the city and highlighted what the means for his business.

He said: “One of my venues is above a co-working area and that does well Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“The hardest challenge is infrastructure – everything such as trains, is broken and you need that infrastructure to work.”

Innovative city

Clarke echoed Hoskins’ challenges around a working from home culture and the impact on business.

“Manchester is where people are in the office. We need more big companies coming in. We have got PlayStation but need more with more offices to get more people into Liverpool,” she said.

“In Manchester, there are cranes everywhere. We need that in Liverpool.”

However, despite these challenges, Clarke described the sector as “resilient”, while Ennis said when tourists visit the city, it has a positive impact.

Hoskins added: “Liverpool is a city of innovation and when people have the money in their pocket, they aren’t afraid to spend it.”