Liverpool is famous for many things including its stunning architecture, but thousands of people would be forgiven for walking past places with rich historical value, without even realising.
One Merseyside man, known as Alex, has launched his own TikTok account over the last few months to take his followers on a tour of different locations in Liverpool - places they pass by every day without a second glance. His first video, which went viral, was an impressive tour of Hockenhall Alley on Dale Street.
Using his account, LivingLiverpoolTour, and historical knowledge, Alex shared the then and now of one particularly special house, number 10. In the video, which received over 350,000 views, he tells viewers the neglected building is one of the oldest still standing in the city centre, having been built in 1765, originally forming a terraced row.
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He added that despite the majority of houses being demolished, this particular building, which thousands pass unnoticed, is a "symbol of resistance" for the working class. He told the ECHO : "It's a real slice of what I think our city is and makes our city fantastic."
10 Hockenhall alley was originally known as Molyneaux Weint and was once part of a small row of houses. The exact date the other houses in the row were demolished is unknown but it’s thought to have been some time around the 1880s. 10 Hockenhall Alley remained as a dwelling into the early 20th century however, before it became a pharmacy and finally a clock repairer’s premises John Nelson.
Proposals were previously put forward by Chunky Monkey Developments Ltd to convert Grade II listed buildings 10 Hockenhall Alley and Cheapside Warehouse into 13 residential apartments. The heritage statement said: "Externally, the building is to be sensitively repaired with the brickwork repaired/cleaned and it will be repointed with a new appropriate lime mortar. The detail of this is to be conditioned. These works will improve and enhance the significance of the listed building."
It's not the first time plans have been put forward for the two listed buildings. In 2015 an application was put forward to convert Cheapside Warehouse into a hostel, with the adjacent 10 Hockenhall Alley expected to become its reception.
Other impressive videos from Alex include the tall tale of the Childe of Hale, the Liverpool business empire Littlewoods, and the history behind Newsham Park Hospital. Alex said he enjoys exploring places with historical interest and taking viewers on a journey to show how Liverpool has changed over the years.
He said: "I have a natural nosiness. I grew up in Liverpool and left at 18 but moved back when I was in my early 30s. I came back to a different city to what I left and as I got older I became proud of where I'm from. I just had an idea one day to do something like this, to tell stories of Liverpool and share that pride.
"The account has grown crazily. People have been commenting places where I should visit next and it's led to a great community of people and an endless supply of stories from people saying their relatives worked there or there's a connection to a place. I feel really honoured to have stoked up memories in people.
"Some videos take a long time to do because of the sensitivity around things like Newsham but I enjoy finding out information and relaying that in a creative way. Every video I get to experience something new. It isn't about me showing places I think people should see, it's about sharing stories and interesting places."
Alex went on to say everyone should have the opportunity to learn about where they are from, adding: "We are particularly proud to be scousers but sometimes we grow up in a postcode and know all the pockets of history, but beyond that postcode sometimes we don't know a huge amount. We are less connected to different areas.
"When I left Liverpool I'd had enough of it but as I got older I realised how great the city is. Liverpool has so many new developments but entwined is historical sites and all the things Liverpool has built over the years are still there. We just walk past them on our way to McDonald's or Costco, we don't necessarily know what's around us.
"I want people to walk past a building or a broken down pub and stop for a second and wonder what stories are from there and what went on. It's about pride, I'd love people to feel proud but there's an opportunity to really care for the city. We do see a lot of sites run down or demolished, there are beautiful buildings that were crucial to the success of Liverpool that have been left to rot.
He added: "Maybe somewhere down the line there's an opportunity for community to action and campaign to save some of these buildings. Keep your eyes open and be curious." Alex also shares his videos to Instagram.
