Stunning archive photographs show the every day life and the people that used to shop at one of the city's oldest open air markets.
The photos were posted online recently by David Fitzgerald, who said they were taken by a relative of his late wife around 1969. The images show Garston Market during its glory days, bustling with customers who could shop there for pretty much everything they needed.
After the images were re-posted on the Liverpool Memories and History Facebook group, it sparked nostalgic memories of the market in its heyday. Everything from the stocked up stalls and the market's friendly atmosphere to the unique smells of cold meat, vegetables and tangerines on cold winter mornings.
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Many remembered visiting the market on Tuesdays and Fridays, with some going especially to pick out a new outfit for a night out. While others remembered working on the stalls after school.
While there is still a Garston Market on Speke Road every Friday, those who commented remembered the market back in its prime, when it sold almost everything a family would need, from clothes to groceries to new crockery. One woman remembered taking her son to the market in his pram every Tuesday and Friday, adding: "He is 62 now. Loved it there."
Another had vivid memories of visiting the market with her mum. She said: "Friday with my Mum. I lived off Rose Lane, so it was a quick ride on the 80 bus. I remember the smell of the market. Mum always bought the towels from Garson. I loved it.
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Reminiscing on the market's unique smell, she added: "It had its own smell really, a kind of a mixture of raw meat and vegetables and it smelled a little bit musty in the inside part. I remember there were two buildings joined together and you walked through from one to the other.
"I had dresses bought from one of the inside stalls when I was little. We always bought breaded turkey burgers for tea from the butcher. They were my favourite."
Another woman posted fond memories of going to the market with her family as child. She said: "Going with my nan and brother on the 66 bus from Netherley. We loved the market and she always bought us cinder toffee for the bus ride home."
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More people posted about their colourful memories of the sights and smells of the south Liverpool Market. One woman commented: "I remember the smell - the mix of the cheese stalls and fruit and veg. Also the noise and as a very young child the fear of getting lost amongst the stalls and throngs of people.
Another said: "We lived on the estate opposite the market. Our mum, and whichever sibling was not at school, went there every Tuesday and Friday for meat, veg, eggs and fish on Fridays. Mrs O'Neill's material remnants stall was popular as mum made a lot of our clothes.
"She went to Len's when she wanted something material for school skirts, etc. There was another stall with threads, lace, buttons, etc. We still have bits of china from the man who used to come from the potteries I think."
Another woman remembered stall owner, Len, having worked on his stall as a child. She said: "I remember those days! I worked on the materials with Len before and after school on Tuesday and Friday."
For many, it was as much about the atmosphere as it was what you could buy. One woman said: "We lived in the prefabs in Belle Vale. Mum loved the Friday market, as much for the atmosphere and camaraderie as the bargains."
Another posted: "There have been markets ever since humans have tried to sell something to make a living, [it's] really sad to see that many towns no longer have them. It was such a lifeline for many who otherwise did not get to socialize. My gran and friends would all meet up in the café for a tea or coffee to get out of the cold and do their gossip, lol."
Another remembered Garston Market as being a great place to pick up a new outfit for a night out in the late '70s. They said: "[I] loved going on a Friday after work, we finished at one. Seeing what new outfit I could buy for a night out."
Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
While one woman reminisced on the market during the festive period. She said: "[I] loved the markets at Christmas. [I] remember the stall holders stamping their feet and rubbing their hands to keep warm, and the smell of tangerines."
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