A new "one of a kind" pop-up shop is coming to Liverpool ONE as part of the city's Eurovision celebrations.
Liverpool beat competitors including Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham to play host to the iconic Eurovision Song Contest, while the conflict in Ukraine remains ongoing. The smash-hit competition will take over the city from Tuesday, May 9 until the grand final on Saturday, May 13.
Thousands of fans are expected to venture to Liverpool to watch the event, with bars, restaurants, local businesses and more all upping the ante with an eclectic range of Eurovision-themed events in anticipation of their arrival.
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Liverpool ONE is also getting in on the action and gearing up for an expected uplift in footfall. The shopping complex is home to more than 170 stores, bars and restaurants, a 14-screen cinema and even indoor golf courses, with a five-acre park at its heart.
Grosvenor, which manages Liverpool ONE, has confirmed the leading retail and leisure destination will be the home of the official Eurovision Song Contest pop-up store. The only one of its kind, it'll be open from May 1 to May 14.
Based on Manesty's Lane, the 1,400 sq ft store's design has been inspired by the theme of 'You'll Never Sing Alone' and will feature the full range of Eurovision merchandise, including mugs, caps, hoodies, t-shirts and limited edition replicas of the Eurovision Song Contest trophy. In addition, fans will also be able to snap up a number of novelty items to help them celebrate at home.
Liverpool ONE is expecting an increase in footfall during Eurovision, and has launched a comprehensive programme of music, art and community-led events to help visitors to the city immerse themselves in the contest.
Highlights include the installation of 'Instagrammable' floral displays inspired by the colours of the Ukrainian flag throughout Liverpool ONE; the return of Liverpool ONE's Tickle the Ivories pianos for a three-week period; and the relaunch of Liverpool ONE's tourist information centre as the central hub for all things Eurovision.
In addition, a full week of free music, theatre and dance performances will take over Chavasse Park during the week of Eurovision. For the first three days, in partnership with Culture Liverpool, EuroCamp Presents will feature stars of RuPaul's Drag Race UK as part of a programme of arts, cabaret and music performances.
On the remaining four days, staged performances will showcase up and coming local talent working with community-led organisations, including the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), and others.
Donna Howitt, Place Strategy director at Liverpool ONE, said: "We strive to place community and culture at the heart of everything we do, so it was vital that our Eurovision schedule had these things in abundance. We are also working on the legacy post-Eurovision and how such a major event can influence the transformation of spaces and wellbeing opportunities across Liverpool ONE."
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