A number of independent businesses are making waves in a Sefton suburb in a bid to add "excitement and variety" to the area.
Maghull Square was built in the 1960s and in recent years retail units have been dominated by discount stores and charity shops, while a number still remain empty. However, there has been a recent explosion in new local businesses opening their doors in a bid to provide more choice for residents.
Alice Hopkins has lived in Maghull for more than two decades. She opened Adela Boutique on Westway in September 2022 and working for the likes of Misspap.com and boohoo.
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Alice told the ECHO: "Everyone says the same thing - we've needed a decent clothes shop in Maghull for years. Everyone has been so lovely and welcoming."
She hopes her boutique has played its part in providing some "excitement and variety". Alice added: "There really is a great community spirit, but it also has a long way to go.
"It's a hard battle with the current climate and ever increasing rates but so far the business has been really successful and December was incredibly busy. That's all down to the local support and regular customers."
Food on Maghull Square is now a family affair. David Fitzsimmons opened pan Asian bar and grill Furusato in 2021, and launched delicatessen One Central with other family members and their partner Harry Bilby last summer.
Stylish Furusato occupies a corner plot on Westway and is frequented by the likes of rising UFC star Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett. One Central is a little more relaxed, serving coffee and speciality sandwiches by day and wine and beer by night.
Christine Burgum, who works at One Central, shared the secret to their success: "It's the clientele. This is somewhere people can come and have a coffee and a sandwich, the kids can come in, and we are pet friendly. Also, if you want to have a drink and watch the football at night you can do that too.
"It's something different; people like how we've done it up and the atmosphere. It's a nice mix of people."
However she does think more could be done when it comes to encouraging new businesses to open up. She added: "People are trying to do their best but not enough help is being given".
Jordan Smith launched Crescent with brother Patrick in 2020, a year after they started selling luxury soaps, bathbombs and other cosmetics on market stalls. He is open about his struggles with mental health and how they inspired him, and the business now donates a percentage of profits to mental health and homeless charities.
Jordan said: "The community in Maghull is amazing. People were promoting our shop on Facebook whilst I was still renovating the unit."
Among the newbies is also family-run jewellers Christopher Diggle, funeral director Andrew Roughley and Callaghan's Butchers, as well as other independent venues such as The Cabin on Stafford Moreton Way.
Jordan added: "High streets and shopping centres have no soul without local family-run businesses. Adela, Furusato, Christopher Diggle, Callahan's, The Crescent - this is what the local high street should be."
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