Elvis Costello
3 and 4 bedroom executive homes. Discover the beauty of rural Burscough and surround yourself with nature.
Orrell Lane, Burscough, Ormskirk L40 0SJ
A slice of modern living
3 and 4 bedroom homes in the Widnes countryside. Discover the apex of modern living with our stylish and well-proportioned homes.
Abbey Vale, South Lane, Widnes, WA8 3UB
August
Hello and welcome to the August edition of YM Liverpool
Kicking things off this month, I’m delighted to bring you my chat with legendary singersongwriter and adopted scouser, Elvis Costello, ahead of his eagerly anticipated show at the Olympia next month. Elvis tells me why the famous old theatre on West Derby Road holds a special place in his heart and whether he sees Liverpool as a ‘hometown’ gig.
Sticking with musical talent, I caught up with Irish indie-folk star Gemma Hayes as she prepares to visit the Philharmonic and release her first new record in a decade. The Mercury Prize-nominated artist explains how she got back to songwriting, deals with performance anxiety, and why she thinks Ireland’s music scene is so strong right now. Elsewhere, we shine the spotlight on a collection of new family homes in Melling, the John Lewis interiors team shares its tips on making your living room stylish yet still practical, and Will Carr reviews Woolton Road’s newest Italian restaurant, Vivi. Plus Heather Marsh reveals how the right garden bench can transform your outdoor space into a summer haven, Annie S presents her monochrome outfit ideas, and Jon Atkinson profiles a historic winery in the heart of Spain’s Rioja Alavesa. Enjoy!
Editor Lawrence Saunders editor@ymliverpool.com
Design Marten Sealby
ADVERTISING Sales 0151 316 0210 sales@ymliverpool.com
DISTRIBUTION Enquiries 0151 316 0210
When
LAWRENCE SAUNDERS Editor
Elvis Costello
Where I Belong
Legendary singer-songwriter and adopted scouser, Elvis Costello, is returning to Liverpool next month to perform at the Olympia with long-time collaborator Steve Nieve. Elvis explains why the famous old theatre will always hold a place in his heart and shares details of the special finale he has planned for the eagerly anticipated show words lawrence saunders
You’re coming towards the end of a co-headlining US summer tour with Daryl Hall – 40 years on from your collaboration on Goodbye Cruel World’s ‘The Only Flame in Town’. What’s it been like linking up with Daryl again?
On a tour like this you rarely see the other act. We have to hit the road for the next town before Daryl hits ‘Maneater’. Some of these shows are three or four hundred miles apart!
Of course, Mr. Hall was good enough to sing on ‘Only Flame’ –originally a ballad that we unsuccessfully tried to turn into a peppy dance number. That was 40 years ago, appearing together in the video clip, a surrealist classic in which young women entered a competition to ‘Win A Date With The Attractions’ and Daryl and I were just innocent bystanders.
In September, you will be here in Liverpool with Steve Nieve to play the Olympia. The last time you performed in Liverpool was in 2022 at the Philharmonic Hall. Even though you were born in London, do you see Liverpool as a ‘hometown’ show?
I tell people I was born in London and borne north on a donkey to be christened in the church of The Holy Cross in Birkenhead. The suburbs west of London are not a place to which I can really feel any sense of belonging.
Merseyside is definitely my place of family origin; my ma was from the Liverpool 8 end of Smithdown Road and my dad’s first family home – later remodeled by the Luftwaffe – was 50 yards from the docks on Cathcart Street, Birkenhead. My best childhood memories are of holidays spent at my nana’s house in the north end.
My mother and I moved to West Derby in 1970 but when it came time to make music I had to leave home again and I suppose I’ve just kept going.
Truthfully, my last appearance in Liverpool was a mess. I think it was too soon after my mother’s passing and just wanted too much from the show. I lost my bearings and my judgement. Rather than it being some kind of joyful wake, it was the worst show I’ve played in the city since that dodgy folk club spot in 1971.
But that’s all over now, Steve Nieve and I have a great set in mind and something special planned for the finale. An ensemble of saxophones and brass – both students and graduates of LIPA – will play arrangements I’ve written for the occasion, including a version of ‘Shipbuilding’ in which all seven players will be featured, as John Lennon said: “Lastly through hog’s head of real fire”.
You’ve played the Olympia before of course, but as a massive Beatles’ fan do you still get a kick out of performing there, given the Fab Four graced the same stage in 1962 when it was known as the Locarno Ballroom?
The Olympia is already a special place to me as it was the last place my ma saw me play – in March 2020 – in the last days before we all went into hiding. Lillian had danced at the Locarno in the late ’40s, when The Beatles were just kids. Against all advice she insisted on attending the show in her wheelchair and with the help of her carers had a rare old time. I only saw her face-to-face once after that night.
It is always good to know what ghosts may lurk in any venue. In the case of the Olympia, I believe it might be Houdini and a couple of elephants.
I was born in London and borne north on a donkey to be christened in the church of The Holy Cross in Birkenhead. Merseyside is definitely my place of family origin.
Do you still have family here on Merseyside?
I have a few cousins scattered about. Vicky, the cellist from The Mono LPs is the great-great-great-grand-niece of my grandmother, Ada Mutch.
As well as your gig at the Olympia, September will finally see the world premiere of A Face in the Crowd at the Young Vic Theatre – a show which you contributed music and lyrics for. How excited are you to see your songs brought to life on stage?
I’ve been making calculations about these songs by bouncing them off the back walls of concert halls for the last seven years while we were developing the show in New York City, only for it to reach the stage in London at a breathless pace. The theme of the show is right there in the title. It’s about what lurks within the dark heart of the crowd and the monsters that they may summon up. Budd Schulberg wrote this story in the 1950s about how television could warp public perceptions and desire. It’s not a satire of current events, unless you are determined to see it that way.
You’ve never been one to shy away from politics in your music – right from your very first single ‘Less than Zero’ through to the Armed Forces album and beyond. I’m interested to get your thoughts on the rise of populism, both in the USA and across Europe. I don’t have anything unprecedented to say. People want what they think they want. Changing the colour of your tie or rosette doesn’t transform your soul or save your skin.
My friend John’s grandfather wrote a speech for the movie Citizen Kane that comes to mind all the time these days.
When the married Charles Foster Kane is revealed to be having an affair, his political rival, Jim Gettys threatens to discredit him if he does not withdraw from the election for governor. When Kane pridefully declines, Gettys says: “You’re the greatest fool I’ve ever known, Kane. If it was anybody else, I’d say what’s going to happen to you would be a lesson to you. Only you’re going to need more than one lesson. And you’re going to get more than one lesson.”
Right about now, I’d say: “We are all Kane”.
Given we are fast approaching the start of the new Premier League season, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to get your thoughts on Liverpool FC. Do you think Arne Slot is the right man to continue LFC’s success?
My powers of clairvoyance and precognition seem to have dimmed but I hope the new fellow gets a fair shake.
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve play the Liverpool Olympia on 11 September
Liverpool Cathedral to celebrate centenary with Anish Kapoor exhibition
Artist is known for his thought-provoking works including Chicago’s Cloud Gate
LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL IS SET TO CELEBRATE its 100th anniversary in 2024 with a unique exhibition by the celebrated artist Anish Kapoor running from 10 August–15 September 2024.
Monadic Singularity marks Kapoor’s first solo show in a UK cathedral and his first major solo exhibition in Liverpool since his seminal 1983 exhibit at the Walker Art Gallery.
Anish Kapoor has become world-celebrated for his innovative and thought-provoking works. Since exhibiting his pigment sculptures in the early 80’s, he has gone on to create artworks that traverse the traditional categories of painting, sculpture and architecture.
Many of his monumentally scaled public works became iconic landmarks such as Cloud Gate (2004) (known affectionately as “The Bean”) in Millennium Park, Chicago, Nottingham Playhouse’s Sky Mirror (2001) and Temenos (2010) in Middlesbrough.
Featuring works spanning the past 25 years, including the architecturally scaled sculpture never before seen in the UK, Sectional Body Preparing for Monadic Singularity (2015), the exhibition offers the opportunity to experience the diversity of sculptural languages that Kapoor’s art embraces in dialogue with the cathedral’s spectacular gothic architecture. The Main Space will feature a breathtaking kinetic wax sculpture, while additional works will be displayed across the cathedral – creating a unique experience.
In an era where digital distractions abound, Kapoor’s artworks bring us back to our bodies, and to an inner space that invites audiences to pause, reflect, and connect with deeper spiritual dimensions, echoing the cathedral’s daily explorations of faith and existence.
Anish says: “To show works in Liverpool Cathedral is complex. It is a space that is alive both with the physical and spiritual. As such it is resonant with a powerful sense of body and the disembodied.
“The works that I have chosen to show in the cathedral are situated
Museum of Liverpool to host Holly Johnson exhibition
Frankie Goes To Hollywood star “feels like he’s won the lottery” after announcement
LAUNCHING ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2024, The Holly Johnson Story explores the incredible life of Holly Johnson and his meteoric rise to fame, where he became one of the first openly gay and openly HIV+ high-profile artists in history.
The opening of this exhibition also marks the 40th-anniversary release of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s album Welcome to the Pleasuredome featuring ‘Relax’, ‘Two Tribes’ and ‘The Power of Love’.
Supported by a £142,338 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Museums Liverpool has partnered with local arts organisations Homotopia and DuoVision in collaboration with Holly Johnson to deliver the landmark exhibition which will
similarly between body and materiality and geometric immaterial which I refer to as the non-object.
“It is my hope that this conjunction of object and non-object here in this immense and potent space will be cause for reflection on the nature of religious experience and the human condition.”
Monadic Singularity will be open to the public from 10 August to 15 September
take visitors on a journey through Holly’s remarkable career, from his early years in Liverpool to international stardom.
Made possible by National Lottery players, the exhibition is part of a project that has documented LGBTQ+ heritage by working with sexual health and wellness charity Sahir, to explore Holly’s archive and capture the stories of local LGBTQ+ people in community workshops and oral history sessions.
Featured in the exhibition are unique items
from Holly Johnson’s career, including iconic costumes by Leigh Bowery and Vivienne Westwood, Frankie Goes to Hollywood memorabilia, personal audio accounts of people living with HIV in Liverpool, produced in collaboration with Sahir House, and paintings by Holly himself.
Holly Johnson says: “The opportunity to mount this exhibition is actually like winning the National Lottery for me.
“As a teenager, music and art were my passion, reading Jean Genet, William Burroughs and listening to the music of The Beatles, Marc Bolan, David Bowie and The Velvet Underground: seeing the films of Derek Jarman and Andy Warhol along with his supercharged colour paintings.
“Pondering over Peter Blake’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band artwork as a child led me ultimately to Hollywood and back again. Everything I was ever drawn to, through a lens of queerness and controversy I brought with me into the future we live in now.”
The Holly Johnson Story opens at the Museum of Liverpool on Saturday 14 September 2024, running until Sunday 27 July 2025
Conveyancing made easy –Consult the legal experts
Moving to a new home can be an exciting prospect, yet often in the thrill of the search, buyers can fail to factor in some of the costs that are associated with the purchase of a property. Even seasoned homebuyers can be taken by surprise by the complexity of completing a deal when buying or selling a property. Jenna Gall, Director and Head of Conveyancing at Paul Crowley & Co solicitors, guides you through the conveyancing process
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal term for transferring the ownership of a property from one owner to another.
A conveyancing solicitor will ensure that all their client’s legal obligations are undertaken and that the settlement and title transfer process is met and that the clients’ rights are protected during the transaction.
What are the key stages of conveyancing?
The key stages are:
• Arrange your mortgage with a mortgage provider
• Find a property
• Instruct a conveyancing solicitor
• Make an offer on your chosen property
• Securing your mortgage
• If purchasing, instruct a surveyor to value the property
• Exchange of contracts
• Completion ... Moving day!
After completion your solicitor will pay the stamp duty, land tax and register the title of your property with the land registry and file the return with the inland revenue.
What does a conveyancing solicitor
do?
A conveyancing solicitor will take care of all the legal aspects of buying or selling a property for you. Having helped thousands of clients move home, the solicitors at Paul Crowley & Co’s conveyancing department will keep you regularly updated, providing a stress free service throughout and will answer any questions that you might have.
A conveyancing solicitor will undertake the following when buying or selling a property:
• Provide specialist legal advice
• Handle all legal contracts
• Carry out local council searches
• Deal with the land registry
• Transfer of funds for the purchase or sale of your property
If you are obtaining a mortgage, a conveyancing solicitor will act on behalf of both the buyer and the lender.
Finding the right conveyancing solicitor
Paul Crowley & Co solicitors are Lexcel accredited, giving assurance to clients that we meet high standards of client care and business management.
Our conveyancing department is a recognised member of the Law Society of England and Wales, and have been awarded the Law Society’s quality standard since March 2012 for residential conveyancing practices.
How long does the conveyancing process take?
The conveyancing process usually takes between eight and twelve weeks. Depending on your situation, the timeframe can extend beyond this. Your solicitor will start the conveyancing process by sending you an initial letter with their terms and conditions. Once this is agreed the conveyancing department at Paul Crowley & Co will guide you through each stage of the process and arrange all the legal paperwork including local searches and the preparation of contracts so you can move into your new property as quickly as possible.
Why you should choose Paul Crowley & Co as your conveyancing solicitor
Many of Paul Crowley & Co’s conveyancing clients come to us through recommendation. If you require a high quality, stress free conveyancing service, backed by a dedicated team of professionals dealing with both simple and complex property matters, including freehold, leasehold, registered and unregistered property, then call the conveyancing experts today!
Paul Crowley & Co... conveyancing made easy!
Jenna Gall Head of Conveyancing, Paul Crowley & Co
By Will Carr | Italian | ££ |
After queuing in the sweltering heat for 20 minutes to buy a t-shirt that didn’t feel like I’d been swimming in, and being challenged to a dance-off by the drunkest man I’d ever met in the middle of Primark, I needed a break from the city centre.
Wandering through the leafy suburbs that surround Liverpool Hope University, trying to find shelter from the harsh sun, I noticed the impressive frontage of Vivi. It stood out like an oasis, but better because it served pasta.
The turquoise and gold colour scheme, Art Deco style, and tasteful bar made Vivi look like it had been snatched from the back of a fashionable London hotel. I would come to quickly learn that Vivi was tailor-made for torturously hot days. Specialising in small dishes, Vivi is a world away from my typical experience of Italian restaurants, i.e piling on the pasta until the customer is too heavy to escape without paying the bill. The small plates allow you to savour the amazing food without forcing
The confit garlic and aged balsamic vinegar added a complexity of flavour that made the oil from the Focaccia bread really sing.
Road, L16 8NE
you to hire a crane to lift you out of the building afterwards. Conversely, if you are expecting to be filled up, be prepared to order several dishes.
Thankfully, the excellent server Elle and courteous manager Jamie were on hand to talk me through the menu as they rightly sensed I was lost in the sea of Italian. I started with the Focaccia bread with Evoo oil for dipping (£5.5). It was the perfect choice for a starter. The confit garlic and aged balsamic vinegar added a complexity of flavour that made the oil really sing.
My first main plate was the Gramigna egg pasta and polpettine (£11.5). The small meatballs were divine, sitting in a tomato sauce that tasted fresh and rich. Though petite, the dish packed a powerful punchy flavour, and the pasta, covered in 36-month-aged parmesan, had a superb buttery taste.
After witnessing one pass by my table, and despairing that it wasn’t placed in front of me, I was compelled to then order a Diavola pizza (£9). The simple salami and mozzarella pizza was beautifully cooked, crisp and perfectly arranged. It was decently sized but not overbearing. Both of the dishes would have made a respectable lunch.
For dessert, I chose Gabriella’s Torta Sorpresa (£8), which may go down as the best cake I’ve ever tasted. The generous slice had warm, ginger notes that evoked memories
but with none of the unpleasant texture. It was paired with thick smooth vanilla mascarpone and crushed pistachio that when all combined together was enough to make its consumption a requirement when visiting Vivi. Gluttony dictated I finish with the Arancino Sbagliato (£4). The decadent fried dough ball concealed a delicious white chocolate and pistachio cream and may have not been as delicately flavoured as the cake but made up for it with its intensity.
Vivi combines the relaxed and unpretentious nature of a café with the class, sophistication and dedication to fine service and excellent food that you’d expect from a quality Italian eatery.
Veni, Vidi, Vivi. I came, I saw, I lived, especially after a second glass of the vivi.
252 Woolton
of carrot cake
Crochet knit trousers
Zara
£59.99
Crochet knit polo shirt
Zara
£59.99
Natural fibre shopper bag
Mango
£79.99
Scallopededge fan
H&M
£7.99
Monochrome
Refresh your style with Annie S’s simple yet striking selections
One shoulder colour block
maxi dress
River Island
£45.99
Flowing rustic sequinned trousers
Pull&Bear
£25.99
magic
Straight striped trousers
Mango
£49.99
print waistcoat Mango
£25.99
Metallic mesh
midi dress
Zara
£35.99
Frilled halter dress
Zara
£35.99
River Island
£40
Woven straw effect tote bag
South Beach @ New Look
£25
H&M
£27.99
South Beach @ New Look
£25
Two-part woven sandals
Oversized linen shirt
H&M
£32.99
Linen trousers
Raffia clutch bag
RECIPE of the month
COURSE Main meal
PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME 15 minutes
TOTAL 25 minutes + resting SERVES 2
INGREDIENTS
• 2 x 150g Waitrose British Beef Sirloin Steak
• 250g pack mixed baby tomatoes
• 2½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ unwaxed lemon, juice
• ½ x 90g bag wild rocket
• 125g ball Galbani Mozzarella, drained and roughly torn
• 2 tbsp mature balsamic vinegar (or balsamic glaze)
’Tagliata’ is an Italian term that translates as ‘sliced steak’. In this salad, the hot barbecue coals give top-quality beef from British native breeds a wonderfully smoky flavour and quickly caramelise the tomatoes.
Beef tagliata, flame-roasted tomato & mozzarella salad
METHOD
1 Season the steaks and set aside. Pierce the tomatoes with the tip of a sharp knife and put on a small flameproof baking tray into which they fit snugly. Season and drizzle with 1 tbsp oil. Prepare the barbecue for direct cooking.
2 Put the tomato tray between the hot and middle parts of the grill, then put the lid on the barbecue, making sure all the vents are open. Roast for 5-10 minutes, until the tomatoes are saucy and blistered, then drizzle over half the lemon juice. Move to the cooler part of the barbecue to keep warm.
3 Rub the steaks with 1/2 tbsp oil. Cook on the hottest part of the grill for 1-2 minutes on each side (for medium; cook for a few minutes more for well done), until all the cut surfaces of the meat are fully cooked. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes, loosely covered with foil.
4 Meanwhile, whisk the remaining lemon juice and 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium bowl until combined, then toss through the rocket and season. Slice the steaks thinly and serve with the dressed rocket, roasted tomatoes and mozzarella. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar/glaze.
From £224,995
SITUATED IN THE THRIVING VILLAGE OF MELLING, Waddicar Rise is a prestigious new development from independently owned North West-based housebuilder Rowland Homes. Located just nine miles from Liverpool city centre, Melling has great access via the M57 and M58 to everything our great city has to offer along with the convenience of a semi-rural location.
With a variety of two, three, four, and five-bedroom house styles available, Rowland Homes’ newest scheme exudes a sense of a community that has matured over time, featuring diverse architectural styles and elements that blend seamlessly with the local surroundings.
Stunning exteriors are matched with equally stylish interiors that utilise the very best of modern materials and building techniques. Not only does this make these homes energy-efficient, but it also helps keep ongoing running costs down. Spacious open-plan living is the order of the day, with each house style designed to maximise living space for every customer.
Every home at the development benefits from specially selected, high-quality fixtures and fittings. Kitchens feature the latest brand-name integrated appliances, while the bathrooms and en suites are finished to a high specification with elegant tiling and designer sanitaryware.
Externally, each property boasts a private garden at the rear and parking spaces at the front. Most properties also include a single or detached garage.
For more information on Waddicar Rise, visit rowland.co.uk or call 0151 203 9686
MBA MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Part-time study, for work-life balance
ljmu.ac.uk/masters
Bodegas Eguren Ugarte in focus
Jon Atkinson profiles a historic family-owned winery in the heart of Spain’s Rioja Alavesa
IF YOU HAVE VISITED OUR SHOP BEFORE (and if not, why not?!), you will have undoubtedly noticed the fresco behind the counter of a stylish winery with a stunning mountain range as a backdrop. It’s a lovely vista that lends colour and warmth to the shop. The winery in question is Eguren Ugarte, a bodega just outside the 12th Century town of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa, Spain, where we have been importing from for several years now.
Established in 1870, Eguren Ugarte remains very much a family affair, now spanning six generations. Sadly, Vitorino Eguren, the driving force since he took the helm, passed away last year. Born in 1934, Vitorino first started picking grapes aged six and carried on for some 80 years! It was his vision to relocate the winery to its present location at Páganos, home to the largest estate within the family’s 130 hectares of vineyards.
One of the facets that I really like about this bodega is that it is traditional yet extremely innovative and forward-thinking, both in the vineyard and the winery. It was amongst the early adopters after the notoriously conservative DOC (Governmental regulatory body) for Rioja finally relaxed the rules regarding which grapes could be planted in the region. Ugarte has 11 different varieties planted across 50-yearold vineyard sites in Labastida and Páganos, both in the Alavesa.
Whilst not certified organic, Ugarte operates as if they are, with a very holistic approach to vineyard work, using natural methods as much as possible. They have instigated a number of projects such as soil mapping and a study of aromatic precursors in red grapes with the University of Castilla-La Mancha.
The following selection gives a good cross section of just what this excellent winery is about.
Eguren Ugarte Rioja Blanco 2023 (12.5%) Generally speaking, unoaked white Rioja doesn’t really do it for me. The majority are made just from Viura, occasionally with a little Malvasia, and without wishing to be unkind are a bit bland – IMHO, a little barrel fermentation and/or maturation is what makes these wines interesting. This, however, is brilliant. A blend of Viura, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Tempranillo Blanco and Garnacha Blanca that is both ridiculously easy to drink yet complex enough to retain your attention –fantastic summer drinking! £10.75
Eguren Ugarte Rioja Blanco Reserva 2018 (13%) A very contrasting style of white Rioja, this one is old school, and whilst I wouldn’t go so far as to put it in the acquired taste category, if you’re not a fan of oaky whites, look away now! The grapes are picked in the cool of early morning and are then gently pressed before fermentation at 14°c in stainless steel tanks. Maturation is on the lees in new French oak barriques for 13 months. A relatively pale lemon colour for an oak-aged white with some age, but still completely limpid. The nose is intriguing with toasty notes underpinning subtle citrus notes with Lanolin and vanilla notes. It is very dry with a weighty mouthfeel and a long, dry tangy finish. £16.95
Eguren Ugarte Rioja Tinto Cosecha 2022 (14%) Generally speaking, I prefer my Rioja reds to have spent some time in wood, but there are some ‘tintos de desayuno’ that I do enjoy on occasion and a very good write-up in Decanter magazine recently prompted me to revisit this one. Tinto Cosecha or Tinto Joven is a young red wine that is released early for immediate drinking. In theory, these wines could spend a brief spell in oak, but the expectation is not. To be enjoyed young, fresh and fruity and as I have often seen in Spain, served slightly chilled with a slice of tortilla for breakfast! £10.95
Eguren Ugarte Rioja Maturana 2019 (13%) Maturana is the least planted black grape in Rioja, accounting for less than 200 hectares compared to 50,000+ for Tempranillo… and it’s not grown anywhere else in the world! As a variety, it flowers late and produces small berries that yield an intense colour. After fermentation, this wine is aged in second-fill American oak barrels. A headily perfumed, very complex, savoury nose with plum, mulberry, new leather, tapenade, liquorice, pea pod, balsamic reduction and garrigue. Fair acidity and good length. In the mouth, it is medium to full-bodied, supple, and juicy, with a firm tannic grip and a savoury, slightly spicy dark fruitiness. The finish is lingering, fairly dry and herbal. £16.50
2,
“The question I ask a lot in my music is:
‘What the hell is this all about?’... I still haven’t had an answer!”
Irish singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes visits the Philharmonic Hall next month ahead of the release of her long-awaited sixth album. We sat down with the Mercury Prize-nominated artist to discuss her first new record since 2014, dealing with performance anxiety, and why Ireland’s music scene is so strong right now
words lawrence saunders
You’re here in Liverpool next month to play the Philharmonic Hall’s Music Room. Have you played here before and if so, do you have any fond memories of our city?
I’ve been coming to Liverpool on and off now for the last 20 years. The last time I played there was at Leaf on Bold Street. It was a great night – intimate and fun. Sometimes it’s not about the crowd size but more [about] what state of mind you’re in.
There are plenty of Irish bands and artists who are making a real name for themselves at the minute. Is there any particular reason why there’s so much good music coming out of the country right now? It seems to come in waves. There will be a few years where there’s a lull, things are a bit flat, but I always know there will be a wave up ahead –and we’re on that now. There’s so much [Irish] music at the moment and it’s really diverse as well. Sometimes Ireland will put out a certain type of music but this time [it’s different]. There’s a massive revival of trad music which has really been embraced by the younger generation. Right beside that is this visceral, honest and raw music which is coming out – bands like Fontaines D.C and Kneecap. It’s so fresh and unapologetic, and that’s really inspiring.
There’s a restless questioning of a lot of things on Blind Faith and a bit of misery as well, but sure, I like a bit of misery.
So as an Irish artist, you’ve picked the perfect time to release your first new album in a decade! Was that your plan all along?! It was supposed to be out last year! Usually, you can record, mix and master an album within a month but this one has been spread out over a much longer time. So it wasn’t by choice [the release date] but it’s a brilliant time to put out music. I get a real sense that people are more accepting of different genres. There’s less elitism. When I was starting out [the Irish music scene] was very segregated – even physically you know, the trad people would never mix with the indie folk. Nowadays it’s a lot more intermixed and because of that, it’s very supportive.
Why did you decide to take an extended break between your last album, 2014’s Bones + Longing, and your new record, Blind Faith?
I was in a situation where I was trying to tour with a newborn baby, which wasn’t a good idea! I decided to knock the music on the head for a while. I feel like I’d given music about 20 years and then these little ones came along and I thought well look, I’ll hang around and when you’re both in school I’ll step out again. That was my plan but it wasn’t as easy [to do] as I thought it would be. You come out into a different world [after having children] and you don’t know if there’s a place for you in it anymore. It’s kind of like waking up from a weird dream and everything is slightly different. With music, I realised that it’s all streamed now. With the last record I made (Bones + Longing), people went onto iTunes and downloaded it. I thought: ‘How does it work now? How do people make a living from it anymore?!’. So it was all a bit of a learning curve but I found my feet and I’m delighted with the album. I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about lockdown, but the songs did start to emerge during that period because it was just such a fruitful time to become insular and start to write.
You moved back home to Ireland when the pandemic hit. Did that change of situation and scenery influence your writing at all? Massively. We were in a small, ground-floor apartment in London so I had all my instruments packed away. When we moved back to Ireland, the house we were in temporarily happened to have a music room with a piano. So that was my cue to start to write again. It was a weird blessing at a very cursed time. We’re in a little village now called Baltimore, in west Cork. It’s a tourist area so in the winter it’s dead, but I love that because I know that people will come in
the summer and bring an excited energy to the place. You can enjoy the lull. Baltimore is full of creative people. There are poets, actors, screenwriters – they are all down here. For some reason, we are drawn to that isolated, vast expanse of landscape.
Some of the musicians and producers who you worked with on your first album Night on My Side are back for Blind Faith. Does the record have a similar feel to your debut?
To be honest, there are a lot of similarities between all of my albums! The question I ask in a lot of my music is: ‘What the hell is this all about?’, and I still haven’t had an answer! There’s a restless questioning of a lot of things on Blind Faith and a bit of misery as well, but sure, I like a bit of misery.
You’ve spoken in the past about how you suffer quite badly with nerves and panic attacks when performing live. How have you been coping since making your comeback?
It’s better, I suppose the more you do it the more you realise that you didn’t die! You survived it! But it’s always there – that very uncomfortable feeling of slight dread. Once I’m on the stage and I’ve started the show then it’s fine. If I leave it any real length of time between gigs then that dread turns into almost a phobia. It really becomes like a monster. It’s always something that I’ve struggled with but I’m pushing myself not to allow it to stop me. I’ve got loads of strategies for dealing with it that I’ve picked up from therapists and other songwriters – breathing exercises and visualisations. One technique which I find really effective is seeing the nerves and anxiety on a big volume knob, and I just picture myself turning it down. You’re not denying that it’s there, you’re just turning it down. It doesn’t get rid of it but it makes me understand that it’s not bigger than me.
Will your two little ones be coming along on tour with you?
If I’m playing in a nice place then I’ll bring them with me. I usually gig at the weekends so my husband can come along to look after them. If it’s a really long, boring drive, then I won’t bring them with me! I try to not be away [from the kids] for more than a week.
Gemma Hayes plays the Music Room at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Wednesday 25 September
First 150 apartments complete at Peel’s Millers Quay
The £130 million residential scheme is Wirral Waters’ biggest single development to date
CELEBRATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE to mark the practical completion of the first 150 apartments at Peel Waters’ Millers Quay development.
Representatives gathered from Peel Waters, its funding partner, Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”), construction firm GRAHAM, Homes England, Wirral Council, and staff and students from Wirral Met College, who have all been instrumental in the delivery of Millers Quay, to celebrate the practical completion of phase one.
The £130 million residential scheme of 500 new homes across six buildings is the single biggest development to date at Wirral Waters, the largest regeneration project of its kind in the UK.
Following completion, residents will move into the one and two-bedroom apartments within phase one, which includes blocks ‘Copper Mill’ and ‘Steam Yard’. Phase two, the final 350 new homes, within blocks ‘Soda Factory’, ‘Salt House’, ‘Glaze Works’ and ‘Lime Studio’, is expected to complete early in 2025.
Designed in collaboration with architects Howells, Millers Quay draws inspiration from
the vibrant colours, metalwork, and warehouses that defined the area’s 19th Century industrial heritage.
The waterfront apartments also offer expansive views, south-facing shared spaces, dockside walkways, and access to new green spaces and micro parks.
Richard Mawdsley, development director at Wirral Waters, says: “We are very proud to mark this special moment in Wirral Waters’ history with the practical completion of the first phase of this mammoth project.
“Millers Quay is the result of incredible
Nexus Residential completes flagship £50m Baltic Triangle development
One Baltic Square comprises almost 300 apartments and features rooftop gardens which offer views over the River Mersey
LIVERPOOL-BASED PROPERTY COMPANY Nexus Residential has completed its flagship £50 million mixed-use development in the Baltic Triangle.
One Baltic Square, which comprises almost 300 apartments and several commercial units, features an outdoor space for residents as its centrepiece. Designed in the style of a traditional Italian piazza, the area showcases glass sculptures that pay homage to the site’s history as a former bottling facility for Cains Brewery.
All 296 residential units have been sold by RW Invest, and the sales agent will occupy three of the commercial spaces – transforming them into state-of-the-art offices. The remaining units are available for use as coffee shops, restaurants and offices, with the aim of creating an ‘urban village’ within the Baltic Triangle.
The development features a reception and concierge service, underground car parking and CCTV for additional security. Residents will also be able to enjoy views across the River Mersey from the rooftop gardens.
Legacie Contracts acted as main contractor on the project, with London-based Maslow Capital providing a £19.5m funding injection
partnership working between Peel Waters, PIC, GRAHAM, Homes England, Wirral Council and Wirral Met College, each bringing something very important to the project.
“The impact that this development has had on local construction students and the local community over the last couple of years is truly inspiring and the innovation and skills learnt around green methods of construction will benefit many future generations too. This great work continues as we look forward to completing phase two early next year.”
to deliver the scheme.
Michael Gledhill, Nexus Residential CEO, says: “One Baltic Square is our standout residential development in Liverpool and will bring much-needed high-quality homes to an increasingly popular part of the city.
“We are proud to help create a new urban village in the heart of Liverpool offering luxury accommodation and practical facilities, as well as a prime location.
“It is fantastic to see the project complete, with the construction team now pressing ahead on our next development, Central Park, which is located adjacent to One Baltic Square.”
In Conversation with Legacie’s Gavin Currie
The managing director of one of Liverpool’s most prominent property developers discusses future plans and commitment to providing opportunities for all
Can you tell us a little bit about your role at Legacie?
I oversee all construction activities for Legacie and our external clients. The key to my role is ensuring that we not only provide top-quality products but also align with our values and continuously develop our offerings and staff. We view our buildings as more than just places to live; we build communities. It is crucial for us that these communities feature great living spaces and world-class facilities. In addition to creating these communities, we aim to support and develop the existing people and neighbourhoods through various
initiatives, including those from the Legacie Foundation.
What can we expect from the Heaps Mill development once it’s completed?
Heaps Mill will continue to push the envelope in terms of living spaces. While the impressive architecture, which blends new elements with the historic mill and its ideal city centre location, will be immediately noticeable, what will truly set this development apart is the meticulous attention to detail in creating the community and its amenities, including the spa and gym.
What other plans does Legacie have to develop in Liverpool?
We have bold plans to continue our key role in Liverpool’s development. We are actively exploring various opportunities across the city and the wider North West, whether through completely new developments or repurposing existing buildings to benefit the people of Liverpool. Watch this space!
Legacie has recently expanded into developing social housing provisions. What motivated this move, and are there plans for further developments in this sector in the future?
It is well known that there is a housing shortage across the UK and unfortunately Liverpool is no different. We are doing our bit to work with housing associations and bring the skills and knowledge we have to assist this. Everybody has the basic right in life to a quality house and make it their home. We are playing our part. This ties very much into our values and put simply, it’s the right thing to do.
What would you say is Legacie’s biggest achievement in the city to date?
We have many achievements that we are rightly proud of, and I wouldn’t single out any particular development or community we’ve created. Each development has its proud moments. What stands out most is the employment opportunities we’ve created for school leavers, graduates, ex-offenders and established professionals. This has significantly boosted the local economy by generating local jobs and keeping spending within the community. The charitable work carried out by the Legacie Foundation also ranks among our top achievements.
Late last year, Legacie began construction of 656 apartments across four towers on Leeds Street. Besides The Gateway, does the company have any other plans for this key area of the city?
In short, yes. Getting developments live is never straightforward but the area along Leeds Street provides a great opportunity
for the connectivity and development of Liverpool. Again, watch this space!
Legacie provides employment opportunities across its sites for long-term unemployed and ex-offenders. Why did you introduce this scheme?
We have bold plans to continue our role in Liverpool’s development and are actively exploring various opportunities
across the city.
The scheme, in principle, is simple: we aim to create opportunities for those who face significant barriers. We recognize a skills shortage and see a large untapped skill set in individuals who have encountered challenges in their lives. Our vision is to address this skills gap while supporting those with valuable skills who might have been overlooked for various reasons. We are an open-minded business that seeks solutions and helps people in ways other businesses might not consider. This ethos aligns strongly with our values.
Clockwise from above: Legacie’s vision for Heaps Mill; The Gateway, Leeds Street; Gavin (left) alongside Legacie’s non-executive advisor Lord Stuart Polak and CEO John Morley
Property agency is ‘pride’ of region as it embarks on national growth
Curlett Jones Estates has opened new branches in Liverpool, Newcastle and Cardiff
An estate and lettings agency in Southport which counts “diversity, equality, and individuality” at the very heart of its core values is celebrating a record 12 months of expansion.
Curlett Jones Estates was launched during the height of the pandemic – but in a short time is taking huge strides in the property sector locally, regionally and, now nationally, with the opening of a further three branches outside of the town.
As well as opening new offices and doubling the number of its team, Curlett Jones has pinned the LGBTQ+ colours to its company sleeve with ongoing support for Sefton Pride, showcasing the business as an ally to the community.
The independently-owned agency was created by life partners operations director Peter Curlett and managing director Alan Jones.
The couple have been together for 14 years and married for nine years. They proudly married within the first 12 months of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 being passed by the government.
Curlett Jones’ first branch opened in August 2020 on Lord Street, Southport. After riding the challenging economic wave, Peter and Alan have taken the company to the next level thanks to “unprecedented growth” and several key awards wins.
While Southport remains Curlett Jones’ head office, a further three branches have been added in the last 12 months with new openings in Waterloo, Newcastle and Cardiff.
Staff numbers have doubled in the last 12 months, and the team has achieved industry gold standards for the quality of its sales, lettings and block management.
Curlett Jones has supported Sefton Pride since the community event was created in 2023 and this year increased its involvement as headline sponsor for Sefton Pride 2024. Staff and family from the Southport and Waterloo branches took part in June’s Pride March wearing company branded t-shirts.
The company is also highly committed to supporting its local communities and its chosen charity for 2024 is Lancashire’s Rainbow Hub. Rainbow Hub provides therapeutic services for children and young people with physical disabilities as a result of a neurological condition or brain injury.
Alan says: “During challenging economic times, we are extremely proud of this unprecedented growth – opening new branches, creating jobs and winning industry awards.
“We have recruited a hard-working, engaging and brilliant team which goes above and beyond for our clients. We are excited for the next phase in the development of Curlett Jones Estates.
“We continue to grow Curlett Jones as ethical, friendly, and community focused. Becoming known and trusted has enabled us to become founding sponsors of
“Curlett Jones has recruited a hardworking, engaging and brilliant team.”
Sefton
and individuality.”
Curlett Jones is the only agent in Southport with a remit including highend serviced accommodation and holiday lets – making its professional offering extremely unique in the sector.
The company’s first Liverpool office opened in Waterloo last August.
Newcastle followed in October, and then Cardiff in February 2024.
The next phase of expansion is already well underway – Curlett Jones will open its fifth office in Liverpool city centre within the next six months.
In the last 12 months, staff numbers have more than doubled from six to 16, with successful apprenticeships resulting in several candidates becoming full-time team members.
Chloe Roberts, who was previously branch manager of the Southport office, has been promoted to property director. Following her return from maternity in June, Chloe stepped into the newly created role to join the management team.
Meanwhile, Laura Howard from Southport was recently appointed as marketing and creative director. Laura has specialised in the property sector for six years, marketing residential and student properties to UK and overseas markets. www.curlettjones.co.uk
Pride, supporting our strong company beliefs in equality, diversity,
Youth charities given major cash boost by Football For Change
A total of 16 organisations have been allocated funding including Formby Community Football Club, The Big Trust and The Inclusive Hub
SOCIAL MOBILITY and charitable initiative
Football For Change (FFC) has released more than £300,000 in grants for its first round of 2024 funding.
Organisations which support young people to build better futures through education, employment and sport were eligible to apply for grants of up to £10,000.
A total of 16 recipients based in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester have been allocated funding, including Formby Community Football Club, The Big Trust, Wirral Youth Zone and The Inclusive Hub.
Launched in 2021 by Trent AlexanderArnold, Jamie Carragher, Conor Coady, and public relations executive Dan Hughes, FFC has been backed by the likes of Real Madrid megastar Jude Bellingham as well as Gary Neville, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Peter Crouch and Beth Mead. David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Dua Lipa and others have also helped raise funds.
FFC brings together sports stars and business leaders to help NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people find education and employment opportunities, as well as helping others from underprivileged communities achieve their full potential. The organisation also supports young people who may have been affected by crime, helping them turn their lives around.
The social mobility initiative has raised over £1.1 million since its formation and released over £150,000 in grants to organisations and
charities across the country in 2023, including the Liverpool FC Foundation, Everton in the Community and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.
Since its formation, FFC has sent more than 100 disadvantaged young people to the United States of America for a month-long sports and education retreat. It has also partnered with the Celtic Foundation to support young people growing up in poverty in Glasgow and has worked with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to fund opportunities for young women and girls.
Jamie Carragher, FFC chairman, says:
“This new round of funding will help continue to make a positive impact and change the lives of young people facing barriers to achieving their potential.
“This is another major moment for Football For Change and shows the power of footballers and business leaders coming together to provide opportunities to those who need a bit of help in life.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold adds: “Football For Change is about helping young people onto a positive path.
“It is footballers and business leaders coming together with a goal to help improve the life chances and opportunities of young people from some of the most challenged communities in the country. It is a brilliant initiative and is needed now more than ever.”
Football For Change 2024 funding beneficiaries:
• Apollo Sports Club CIC
• Big Condo Training Academy
• Brunswick Youth and Community Centre
• Community Capacity Builders
• Digital Arts Box CIC
• EPIC Social Care C.I.C.
• FC St Helens Community CIC
• Formby Community Football Club
• Team Oasis
• The Big Trust Limited
• The Inclusive Hub CIC
• Dame Kelly Holmes Trust
• Together Were Stronger CIC
• Wirral Youth Zone
• Believe Achieve CIC
• ReachOut Youth
• Volunteer It Yourself
Trent Alexander-Arnold in conversation with Jamie Carragher at April’s Football for Change lunch
5 clever ways to get creative with
FAMILY LIVING
Planning a space that works for everyone while looking stylish can be a challenge. Smart storage and a few design tricks will help you get it right
THE LIVING ROOM IS OFTEN THE HUB of the modern home – the space where everyone gravitates towards to relax, watch TV or play. If it’s an open-plan room, it might also be where you cook and eat, too. So how can you make this multi-functional space look stylish and chic while being practical at the same time?
n MAKE YOUR FURNITURE WORK HARD
Curate a mix of furniture, from cupboards to conceal, drawers to contain smaller items and open shelving to display what’s important to you. Make games and toys accessible on lower shelves, while storage boxes, baskets and tubs can turn a chaotic shelving unit into a wellorganised one. Large toy baskets are ideal for quick tidy-up sessions once the kids go to bed.
n TACKLE TRICKY AREAS
Look at how your family uses the space and consider how you can make it work harder. If there are bags and coats thrown on chairs, consider fitting handy hooks at reachable heights and it’s a good idea to give everyone their own cupboard or drawer.
Soften up wooden floors with bright rugs to create areas for play and add throws to protect your sofa from spilled drinks while adding colour and pattern. If your dining table always seems to be buried under homework or colouring books, keep smaller bits such as pen pots on trays which can be easily moved out of the way come dinnertime.
n PLATES, BOWLS & SERVEWARE
Open-plan family spaces need careful planning as they combine four or five rooms in one – TV room, home office, dining room, playroom and kitchen. Start with the things you can’t change, such as where your kitchen is, or bifold doors that lead onto the garden, then see if you can rework your existing space by thinking differently.
If your L-shaped sofa is pushed into a corner, would it work better brought into the middle of the room, giving you more wall area for storage while helping to ‘zone’ the space? Consider if your space works in a practical way – is the dining table next to the kitchen area, or do you have to walk past the sofa to eat? Are there corners or nooks for reading, with good lighting and a comfy chair or bean bag paired with a side table? Adding flexible storage, such as a nest of tables will also help to create mini breakout zones.
n KEEP IT REAL
A family living room should be fun with a sense of energy and reflect the personalities of all who use it. A gallery wall is a great way to capture memories – a mixture of black and white framed pictures helps keep the look cohesive.
While this is a busy room, don’t be tempted to hide everything away – this is your family’s space too and if Monday to Friday it’s an office and playroom, then accept there are some things that will annoy you, but they won’t be cluttering up your dream room forever.
Calia
Prospect Homes launches new Abbey Vale development
Collection of two, three and four-bedroom homes now available at Widnes scheme
Prospect Homes is excited to announce the launch of Abbey Vale, a stunning new residential development in the leafy-green suburbs of Widnes. This superb collection of two, three, and four-bedroom homes is now available for off-plan sales from the Bridgemere office in Burscough.
Abbey Vale offers a unique opportunity to share in something special. Nestled in the northern edge of Widnes, this development is perfectly placed to enjoy the surrounding countryside and excellent travel connections. With shops, restaurants, and plenty of family activities on your doorstep, Abbey Vale is designed for modern living.
Widnes, known for its prosperous industrial past, is now a thriving town with a rich heritage and vibrant social scene. From the historic Widnes Market to the bustling town centre with its array of pubs, live music venues, and diverse dining options, there is something
for everyone. Families will appreciate the excellent selection of primary and secondary schools, all rated highly by Ofsted, as well as numerous pre-school nurseries and extracurricular activities.
Abbey Vale itself is a superb development of 99 homes, each designed with comfort and quality in mind. These traditional-style homes echo a bygone era while incorporating modern energysaving measures such as solar panels and high-quality insulation. Inside, you’ll find spacious living areas, modern kitchens, and landscaped gardens, creating a welcoming and sustainable living environment. There will be a choice of three and four-bedroom homes available for sale, catering to growing families and those looking for a stylish, wellproportioned home.
The location of Abbey Vale makes travelling around the region hassle-free. With easy access to the M62 and M56, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and
Widnes Railway Station, residents can enjoy seamless connectivity to major cities and beyond.
Prospect Homes invites you to be part of this new community and discover the exceptional quality and charm of Abbey Vale. Plus, with their innovative ‘Wiggle Room’ incentives, you have the freedom to negotiate a deal that works for you. Whether you need a deposit contribution, assistance in selling your existing home, access to lower mortgage rates, or specific upgrades, Wiggle Room offers flexibility and choice to make your dream home a reality.
Visit the Bridgemere office, Orrell Lane, Burscough to learn more about this exciting new development and secure your dream home today.
Abbey Vale, South Lane, Widnes, WA8 3UB.
For more information and prices visit www.prospect.co.uk.
Direct beach access with private slipway
Take a seat...
Heather Marsh on why the right garden bench can help transform your outdoor space into a summer haven
WITH THIS SUMMER still yet to fully prove itself, I’ve resigned myself to making the most of any warm and sunny days I get to spend in the garden. Cutting the lawn (sometimes twice a week), watering pots and hanging baskets, constant weeding, deadheading roses and pruning back shrubs – high summer gives us a seemingly never-ending catalogue of jobs to keep on top of. But of course, it’s all worth it.
Putting aside the hard work of maintaining a summer garden, August is the month I do try to slow down and find time to do what the late Mirabel Osler highly recommended, being “deeply committed to sitting in the garden”. Finding the time to be at one with nature in your own garden is so beneficial and rewarding. Even just five minutes a day spent simply sitting and being present in the moment helps relieve the stresses and strains of everyday life. Whether it’s contemplating the fruits of our labour by admiring a beautiful rose in full bloom; breathing in the sweet, heady perfume of flowering jasmine or reconnecting with nature by listening to the enchanting evening birdsong. Whatever it may be, putting sitting into practice should be recognised as a valued and integral part of gardening.
With that in mind, we do need one item of furniture that will serve us well and that’s the ubiquitous garden bench. But where to start? A garden bench is a welcoming attribute made to fit more than one person. Benches come in all shapes and sizes, with price tags to match. Before you start shopping around, have a clear idea of where your bench is going to go and the size you’re after. Will it be a focal point
on a sunny patio? Or perhaps tucked away in a quiet corner? There are so many options to consider.
Revamping an existing bench is worth thinking about as well, however. A simple lick of chalk paint can often transform a bench that you first thought had seen better days and was ready for the tip. Charity stores and salvage yards are always great places to pick up bargains. We’ve got two sturdy church pews that must be a hundredyears-old that still serve us well.
Whether it’s new or renewed, remember what your bench is for, and be ‘deeply committed to sitting on it’ and enjoying the summer!
The Lutyens bench
This seat is based on a design by the eminent architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. A true classic in the English garden tradition.
£295.99 gardenfurniturebrands.co.uk
Created from recycled wood, this handmade seat would be an eye-catching centrepiece of any garden.
£1,100 TravellersFindsLtd on etsy.com
Designed to gracefully weather, this bench seamlessly blends into its surroundings, becoming an integral part of your garden.
£189.99 Meltoncottage on etsy.com
A beautiful looking modern style bench that is made of cast aluminium with a powder-coated colour and Wau beech timber.
£275.88 shelterstore.co.uk
With a timeless design that captures outdoor luxury, this bench will enhance any garden or outdoor space.
£499.99 mrteak.co.uk
A modern and minimalist dual-purpose bench crafted from concrete creates a clean, simple, and trendy finish.
£799 cotswoldluxe.co.uk
UNTIL NEXT TIME, HAPPY GARDENING.
Handcrafted rustic teak bench
Victorian style metal rocking bench
Penzance bench
Balmoral teak bench
Concrete bench planter
What’s on...
Events not to be missed over the next four weeks
Restaurant suspends online bookings after ‘crazy’ demand
Turkish bar and grill Elif recently opened in the former NatWest bank building on Castle Street
A NEW CITY CENTRE RESTAURANT has temporarily suspended online bookings as it deals with an overwhelming demand for tables.
Elif opened its doors to the public earlier this month and appears to have caused quite a stir with Liverpool’s foodies.
Tables for the whole of August have been booked out at the Turkish bar and grill, which is located in the former NatWest bank building on Castle Street.
Pictures from inside show the results of a sensitive restoration project which has taken around five months to complete.
Many of the Grade II-listed building’s original features have been retained including the eye-catching central stained-glass dome. Chandelier lighting and ornate golden metalworks further complement owner Alan May’s vision of Elif as a “high-end” restaurant that he hopes will attract diners from within the city region and beyond.
Alan says: “The response has been massive, which is amazing. We expected a lot of interest but we have been overwhelmed that it has been such huge news.
“To be honest, it’s been crazy. Bookings have been constant and the phone lines haven’t stopped, so much so that we have had to close online reservations until the end of August.
“We do still have some availability but to ensure that people have the best experience, we are asking guests to phone in so that we can make sure there is sufficient time, and they are delighted with their visit. We don’t want anyone to leave feeling anything other than happy.”
Elif serves Turkish cuisine, featuring grilled meat, fish and seafood dishes, and other traditional fare. In addition to the central dining area, there’s a private dining room aimed at families or those wanting to celebrate a special occasion.
Salt and Tar Music Weekender, Bootle 15-18 August
Bootle’s new outdoor events venue welcomes pop royalty, rock legends and local heroes for four days of fantastic live music. Bootle-born Red Rum Club kick things off on Thursday, followed by the iconic Status Quo on Friday. Star headliner Sir Tom Jones will perform on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing his sold-out Ages & Stages tour to L20.
10 Aug Jon Culshaw In Conversation with Lady Ann Dodd, Shakespeare North Playhouse 15-18 Aug Southport Flower Shower, Victoria Park
19-24 Aug Hairspray The Musical, Empire
1 Sep Gossip, Olympia
7 Sep The Big Dingle Reunion, The Florrie
Back in Penny Lane, Penny Lane
24 August (from 12pm)
Italian Beatles tribute band Got Back Again headline a special Fab Four-themed event at Buongiorno Deli and Penny Lane Wine Bar. Support comes from London-based group Free Spirits, and the president of The Beatles People Association of Italy will be in attendance. Plus there’s a Beatles-themed treasure hunt and free cookies for kids.
