Ropewalks is part of the city centre that consists of a series of narrow, parallel streets that run from Renhaw Street to Lydia Ann Street. It is this area that was the heart of rope making in the eighteenth century when Liverpool was developing into a major port for sailing ships and the demand for rope for the ships rigging was enormous. A single ship needed miles of rope if it were to be seaworthy and they were partly manufactured in what were then fields on the edge of the city. As part of the manufacturing process the ropes were laid out to dry and each rope making business had their own narrow strips of land for this purpose. These were later to become the streets of the Ropeworks quarter of the city when development and expansion of the city occurred in the early nineteenth century. Bold Street is one such street.
Bold Street is very similar in length and width to its neighbouring streets in Ropewalks, reflecting its history as a former site of rope making. It runs from the end of Renhaw Street, opposite St Lukes Church, to Hanover Street and it has become one of the city’s premier shopping and entertainment areas, renown for its eclectic mix of independent businesses.
The Havelock Building (130 Bold Street) stands on the corner opposite St. Luke’s Church and when it was built in 1858 it would have been one of the tallest in the city with three floors. It was here in 1864 that Dr Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti was born, his father owning a photography business in the building. Ferranti became a pioneering electrical engineer, designing the first modern power station and the means of supply electrical power to homes. A process that remains unchanged to this day.
News From Nowhere (96 Bold Street) has been a fixture on Bold Street since 1989 although the business itself was founded in the mid seventies at a different location.
News From Nowhere describes itself as Liverpool’s Radical and Community Bookshop and it is certainly a Liverpool institution. Next door, above the entrance to Liver House is a blue plaque commenmorating Jeannie Mole.
Jeannie Mole was a social feminist and trade union organiser who is credited with bringing socialism to the city. She moved to the city in the late 18702 following her second marriage and lived here on Bold Street. She was politically very active encouraged the development of trade unions for women, including those involved in rope making, though the industry was less significant in the city at this time. She was known to to have held many meeting at her home here.
As well as its historical importance this top section of Bold Street is renown for its numerous coffee shops and restaurants. Almost opposite the Havelock Building is Bold Street Coffee (89 Bold Street). Re-opened in late 2018, following a temporary closure, it serves some of the best coffee in the city along with light snacks. A great stopping off point for any city visitor in need of a little refreshment.
There are a number of restaurants close by, two particular favourites are Maray (91 Bold Street) and Mowgli (69 Bold Street). Food here is small plates and the ambience casual and laid back. Both are well worth a visit, Mowgli has no reservation and is walk in only, Maray has reservations but also space set aside for walk ins.
I am particularly fond of Artisane (84 Bold Street). Not only is the coffee excellent but they also have a fantastic range of pastries and breads. Too good to miss.
More or less across the road is Leaf (65-67 Bold Street). This is one for all tea lovers with a huge number on offer including black, white, green, oolong and fruit teas. They also serve good range of food and they have an extensive breakfast menu. For those requiring something a little stronger than tea they also have good range of alcoholic drinks. Leaf now occupies the site of Liverpool’s first vegetarian cafe The Yamen which opened in 1910.
Unfortunately I can never resist a record store. By that I mean a proper, old-fashioned store the deals principally in vinyl records. There is just something pleasing about flicking through the racks, admiring the artwork and hopefully coming across something of interest. Dig Vinyl (80 Bold Street) is such a place and a worthy stopping point for any serious record collector. It is actually situated in the basement and the shop (Soho) on the ground floor is a clothing store so its not exactly obvious, a sigh outside is usually there to help location. I hear that in the near future that they are to relocate to bigger premises on a first floor location close by and still on Bold Street. Music lovers may also be interested in 77 Bold Street which back in the 1980s was the site of Cafe Berlin, the interior of which featured on the cover of local band The Icicle Works album The Small of a Bicycle.
Matta’s International Foods (51 Bold Street) has been on Bold Street since 1984 when it relocated from Toxteth. Another Liverpool institution, it is the place to go for the widest range of produce from around the world available in the city. The staff here are so friendly and helpful. It is easy to see why the business has thrived over the years.
At the junction of Bold Street and Concert Street is the statue entitled Reconciliation by Stephen Broadbent.
One of a series of identical statues with others in Benin on the West Coast of Africa and Richmond on the east coast of America. These three locations represent places in the slave trade triangle. The states represent the building of bridges and overcoming racial disadvantage.
At the bottom of Bold Street as it makes the junction with Bold Street is The Lyceum. Built in 1802 it has been through a number of incarnations including a gentleman club, a library, a cafe and a post office. It was saved from demolition in the early 1970s but sadly the building is currently vacant. It’s Grade II listed and a fitting building to end a stroll down Bold Street
