The 11 best places to go shopping in Liverpool

Bold Street has always been at the centre of Liverpool's cool appeal, and nowhere more so than COW, a vintage-clothes shop slap in the middle of it. The shop describes its content as ‘ethical  vintage and hand-made clothing’ and its ethos carries through to the very store itself – 90 percent of COW’s interior is made from recycled materials. Brands like Carhartt, Dickies and Levi’s mix with their own Reworked line and crafted garments. And while you can buy from COW online, stepping inside the store is a shopper’s delight we can’t recommend highly enough.

Royal Albert Dock is the historic jewel of Liverpool’s waterfront, and it also happens to be a great place to head for some retail therapy. Nestled among the country’s largest group of Grade I-listed buildings, you’ll find trendy design stores, independent fashion houses and an array of brilliant souvenir shops. Don’t miss the Tate Liverpool store, which offers a wide range of books, art-inspired gifts and homeware.

To describe 69A as a vintage clothing and antique shop is both accurate and a bit lofty. It’s full of gleeful junk that feels like something from a Dickens novel. Beware, the place is bigger than it looks, and being inside starts to feel like you’ve been sucked into some kind of black hole, as you browse clothes that might have been hanging there for a hundred years and objects that might cost a fiver or five thousand pounds. Naturally, there’s a shop cat.

Way before the internet allowed us to buy what we want when we want it, News From Nowhere’s books and magazines made it the go-to place for people seeking alternatives to the mainstream. It was established in 1974, and retains its not-for-profit credentials, still run by a women’s co-operative. The shop is a reflection of Liverpool’s character and heart: radical, caring, community-spirited and a survivor.

A trip to the Bluecoat always offers something special, whether it’s lunch in the ace (and inexpensive) café, an exhibition in the art gallery or people-watching a mix of arty types. But you can’t go without a visit to the shop, especially if you’re hoping to go home with something truly unique. The Bluecoat Display Centre stocks work by more than 350 artists, and brims with handmade jewellery, homeware and artworks. Why not treat yourself?

You couldn’t write about shopping in Liverpool without mentioning the UK’s largest open-air shopping centre. Liverpool ONE boasts 170 shops, bars and restaurants at the heart of the city centre, and far from anonymous rows of identikit commercial façades, each building was designed by a different architect – giving every store its own distinct look. Expect both your standard high-street shops and quirkier independent boutiques, plus plenty of decent places to eat and drink.

This independent record shop has been the epicentre of the city’s music scene since it opened in 1971. Many of Liverpool’s most iconic bands have put in appearances here over the years, and there was a time when Dead or Alive’s Pete Burns was a shop assistant. It’s still the best place to fulfil all your vinyl needs, stocking everything from punk to reggae, from rare first issues to new releases from local singer-songwriters.

Taking place on the fourth Saturday of the month, this charming farmers’ market is the place to stock up on fresh local produce. Fill your cupboards with jars of homemade jam, treat yourself to delish cakes and scones, and maybe even grab lunch at The Bagelry. With all traders coming from within a 30-mile radius, you can be sure you’re supporting the local community.

Surely one of the UK’s most diverse shopping strips, Bold Street is a real must-visit. Whether you’re after the perfect vintage outfit, some additions to your vinyl collection or a killer piece of homeware, this quirky street has it all. Make sure to drop by LIV, an expansive organic food market and vegan café in the former Liverpool Gas Company building.

This Camden-style market offers a shopping experience unlike any other (in Liverpool, at least). Located in the Baltic Triangle area, Red Brick Market embodies the city’s maverick spirit, bringing together an eclectic gaggle of makers, bakers and other independent vendors – think one-of-a-kind antiques, handmade organic cosmetics, Insta-worthy artisan cakes. This is the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again.

The Metquarter is one of the more upmarket places to shop in the city. Comprising mainly designer boutique stores, the area is also home to brands including Hugo Boss, Jo Malone and Armani Exchange. Cricket, a well-established Liverpool luxury retailer, recently opened a brand-new two-floor store here. Basically, if you’re looking for the chicest looks and the biggest labels, the Metquarter should be top of your list.