Looking out of the window of the bookshop where he works on Smithdown Road, Michael Lacey can see change before his eyes.
Dead Ink Books is one of the latest independents to join Smithdown Road in recent years, along with the likes of Mexican restaurant Big Lola's, French restaurant Epicerie Fine, Smithdown Butchers and Coco Baroque, which is soon to open on the site of Dafna's Cheesecake Factory. Michael told the ECHO: "It seemed like a bookshop would be a good ingredient to the make up that was happening around here. If you go around places likes the Northern Quarter in Manchester, you see what kind of businesses feed into each other, and that’s what we’re hoping to be part of.
'There is more of a buzz about this area' Importing produce from France initially proved difficult following Brexit, but Sarah has now established relationships with French suppliers. Customers can come in for a coffee and a slice of cake, to have breakfast or to pick up a selection of cheese from the deli and some freshly baked bread.
Smithdown Weekender has 'brought people to the area who might not have come here' Andy Scott, who runs the Black Cat Bar and Bottleshop, previously Craft Taproom, cited the Smithdown Weekender festival as a significant factor in Smithdown Road's revival. The festival sees live music and events hosted at venues along the length of the street, bringing businesses together to support and celebrate each other.
Smithdown Road is also home to a number of longstanding businesses that form an important part of its identity. Pizza Parlour first opened on Smithdown in 1977, while the Brookhouse has been a constant on the street for more than 100 years. Stephen told the ECHO: "The history of the building itself and the legacy Dafna's is leaving behind is something I'm always conscious of. The most common feedback that we've had from people who've heard is, we're relieved you are taking over and not some other business, and how excited they are for us.