WHY 2023 IS THE YEAR TO BE IN LIVERPOOL!
When so many businesses who make the journey “up north” head for Manchester or Leeds before considering Liverpool, you could be forgiven for dismissing our fine city - but 2023 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for us here in Liverpool.
In May, we welcomed more than half a million visitors from around the world to celebrate the Eurovision Song Concert, which was viewed by more than 160m people across the globe. In July Brian Harman took home the Claret Jug after The Open attracted over 261,000 visitors to Hoylake. And this summer we’ll welcome more than 200,000 tourists as over 100 cruise ships dock right here in the city.
And with brands such as Rosa’s Thai, Jollibee and most recently BOXPARK all choosing Liverpool for their first sites outside of London we won’t be the North’s best-kept secret for long!
Here’s our top 5 reasons why 2023 is the year to open a restaurant in Liverpool!
We’re closer than you think…
We’re 2 hours from central London by train. Well, 2 hours and 5 minutes to be precise, but once you arrive at Lime Street you can walk to any area of our city centre in less than 15 minutes, and nowhere is more than £10 in a cab!
Our property is more affordable…
According to Realla, the price of commercial property for rent in Liverpool averages out at £18.47 per square foot. The average price of retail units for rent in London is more than three times the price at £58.84 per square foot, and even our Northern neighbours in Manchester are paying an average of £21.75.
We love our independents…
The independent hospitality scene in Liverpool has grown from strength to strength over the last 5 years. In fact, The Independent christened us “The Home of Independent Restaurants” with developments like Duke Street Market and Baltic Market being catalysts for local street food brands wanting to springboard into a more permanent space.
The world wants to visit…
With a visitor economy worth more than £5bn in 2022, Liverpool’s airport and cruise terminal make us a vibrant city for tourism. But then again, when we show off our two cathedrals, nine museums and galleries, twenty-seven Grade I listed buildings, two Premier League football teams and a world-class live music scene, it’s not hard to see why see why Condé Nast Traveler’s readers recently voting Liverpool as their second favourite city in England.
We’re a community…
Our city is built around the ideals of helping our neighbours and you won’t find a more supportive city in the UK. Liverpool Food Network is a collective of independent suppliers, producers and venues in the city who work together to help build and encourage their own community. Because here in Liverpool, if one of us wins, we all win (well, except maybe when it comes to football!)
Keen to discover more about this incredible city? Check out www.liverpoolfoodnetwork.co.uk
Louise Kissack – Founder of Liverpool Food Network