Category: Liverpool

The Liverpool shop worked closely with the family for Venezuela Fury’s wedding07:57, 17 May 2026Updated 22:34, 17 May 2026The wedding of Venezuela Fury and Noah Price, with the bridesmaids in blue dresses made by Evangeline Designs(Image: Credit: Mancpicss66)Two Scouse mums played a crucial part in Venezuela Fury’s wedding after receiving an unexpected Instagram message. Tyson Fury’s 16-year-old daughter tied the knot with her now husband Noah Price, who is aged 19, in a ceremony in the Isle of Man yesterday as her heavyweight boxing champion dad watched on.The boxer attended the ceremony with his wife, Paris Fury. Venezuela had 18 bridesmaids, including Bambi Fury. All of the bridesmaid dresses were made by Evangeline Designs, based on Stafford Street in Liverpool city centre.The dressmakers, who also made the outfits for Noah’s mum and other guests at the wedding, was only set-up last year by friends Dominique Roberts, from Woolton, and Daisy Miller, from Walton.The pair got the chance to make the dresses after working with Atlantis Price last year. Unbeknownst to them, Atlantis was part of Noah’s family and knew Venezuela well.L-R Dominique Roberts from Evangeline Designs, Liverpool with Paris Fury(Image: Supplied)Speaking to the ECHO, Dominique, 32, said: “I’ve worked with travellers for 14 years now. One of the travelling girls that comes into the shop is called Atlantis Price.“She’s very big on Instagram. She got a dress off us for York Races last year. She’s also friends with Venezuela, which we only found out when the family came into the shop.“Anyway (Atlantis) was promoting us, saying, ‘yeah, go to them, they’re really good,’ etc. Then one day we just randomly got a message on Instagram off Paris saying, have you got a shop? That’s just how it started.The wedding of Venezuela Fury and Noah Price, with the bridesmaids in blue dresses made by Evangeline Designs(Image: Credit: Mancpicss66)“It being such a big wedding, there were so many people who were wanting to do the dresses. We’re only two little people who came together a few months ago, and we didn’t expect to get it.“But after speaking to her she said, we’re going with yous and we nearly died. We were like, ‘what, we actually got it, just us two?’“That was around January, February time. It was just surreal really. There’s millions of dressmakers all over Britain and Europe that would have wanted to do that. Out of all of them, it’s us. We were dead shocked.”Dominique and Daisy have had to adapt to their new-found attention. She said: “We had Netflix come in as well, which was a big shock.“When Paris came in with a camera crew, we just didn’t know what to do. It was madness, but it was brilliant at the same time. It was something that we’d never think of happening, but we got there.”Daisy Miller from Evangeline Designs with Molly-Mae Hague and her daughter Bambi(Image: Supplied)Seeing the dresses on full display yesterday was emotional for both of them. Dominique said: “We can’t believe it. The photos are coming through and my Instagram’s going off the run. The two of us are just like, “oh my God, oh my God.’ That’s all, we keep saying.“There were quite a few guests who went to the wedding wearing our outfits and we have got a very specific style anyway. We call it traveller-style and it’s very glamorous. So when we did see (the guests wearing them), it was a mix of emotions.“There were happy tears. We managed to get through it…the long hours that we were having to do to get them done, because obviously we were doing other people’s weddings and like dresses and everything as well as this wedding.“We were doing so much, and then to get through it all and then see it, it was emotional. We’re just two mums. It’s nice to see that people actually like the work.”Molly-Mae with Bambi in her bridesmaid dress(Image: Credit: Mancpicss66)Dominique said the guests were great to work with too, adding: “They’re all really down to earth people – easy to talk to, polite.”Dominique feels that having dresses on show made by Scousers is “good for the city”. She said: “London is meant to be the fashion capital, but I don’t think it is in the slightest. I think Liverpool has the most dressmakers I’ve ever seen. They’re all over the place, and they’ve all got completely different styles.“The shop is not just a dressmaking shop. It’s got a cafe, it’s got a beauty academy, it’s got a fabric shop inside of it.“We have all the dressmakers from the city coming as well to get fabrics. We all get along, which is the main thing. If you need support or advice, you can always ask one of the other dressmakers that’s coming through the door. It’s like a community.”

New businesses have moved in but there is uncertainty about what the future holdsL-R Meg Alderson and Sammy Leigh of Goodness Grief Tattoo Company of Cavern Walks Shopping Centre(Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)There is a mixture of excitement and uncertainty in a Liverpool shopping centre that people “don’t know about”. Cavern Walks opened in 1984 on Mathew Street as a luxury retail destination, with hanging plants, candy pink lamp posts and a wall-climber lift linking two shopping levels.In the 2000s, the site, built on the original location of the Cavern Club, was filled with high-end brands such as Cricket and Vivienne Westwood and boasted high profile customers such as Coleen Rooney and Alex Gerrard.But when the ECHO visited last summer, Cavern Walks was mostly deserted, with just a handful of customers, several shut-down shops and a closed upper level.A ‘new era’?There was hope for business owners in spite of these struggles last July, with new tenants set to move-in and the hope of the prospect of a long awaited 150-bed Beatles-themed hotel moving in on the upper level.Cavern Walks was bought in 2022 by JSM Company Group and Craig Greenwood’s Greenwood Developments. JSM told the ECHO in July 2025 the shopping centre was approaching a “new era” thanks to the new hotel and shops.L-R Cavern Walks Shopping Centre in Liverpool June 2025 v May 2026(Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)But it looks like the hotel plans have been scrapped. The ECHO reported earlier this month documents had been lodged with Liverpool Council planners, solely by JSM, to install 85 serviced apartments on the first to seventh floors instead.’It’s open but everyone thinks it’s closed’When the ECHO visited Cavern Walks this week, workmen were present in the upstairs level but none of the tenants we spoke to were aware of what they were doing.Lisa Trapasso-Emina, from Norris Green, runs Reborn Baby Dolls, selling dolls which are made to resemble real life babies. She enjoys working in the shopping centre but says she will only be able to stay open there if it is better promoted.Lisa said: ”I love it here. I love the shop, love all the other shops (and) the store holders, everybody’s lovely. The atmosphere’s nice. It’s just very quiet. A lot of people don’t know we’re here. It’s open but everyone thinks it’s closed.The interior of Cavern Walks, July 27 1993, with the upstairs level open and glass lift in operation(Image: Mirrorpix)“All the units are full. We need a lot more advertising, a lot more publicity. Also, do you remember out on Lord Street, there used to be an arch saying ‘Cavern Walks’?“We need something like that back there. Maybe bright lights out on Mathew Street because it looks quite dark as you walk past. Unless you stick your head in, you don’t really know there’s anything there. We’ve all put signs out and done the best we can ourselves, but I think we need more.“Maybe we need the upstairs sorting out, and then once that happens it might be better. We need customers to come in because without customers, I don’t know how long I can stay here for.”Lisa Trapasso-Emina, owner of Lisa’s Reborn Baby Dolls(Image: Liverpool Echo)On what she knows about plans for the upstairs level, Lisa added: “I’ve heard lots of different things. I’ve heard there’s going to be shops up there (or that) there’s going to be a hotel.“There’s a lot of banging going on up there, so something’s happening, but I just don’t know what. I think if they take this ceiling down, it will brighten up. I think it’d be gorgeous like it used to be. It was such a beautiful feature at one time. Hopefully if we stay positive things will get better for us.”Adam Williams, 65, who lives in Bootle, runs Rojeans vape shop. He moved here in 2017 from his previous base on Hanover Street. He too said he had no knowledge of what was happening upstairs.Adam Williams, owner of Rojeans vape shop(Image: Liverpool Echo)He said: “I was sold an empty promise that this shopping centre would be buzzing. It doesn’t look like that will happen but it’s not going to be my problem.”Adam will be closing his shop in October and is looking forward to retired life. He insists however that he is not calling it a day because of what’s happening in Cavern Walks.He says he made the decision due to increased government taxation on vapes and competition from convenience stores who also sell vapes.Adam has previously said independent vape shops like his lose out to some convenience stores who sell illegal vapes under the counter.’It is getting busier and busier’Sammy Leigh, 33, from Liverpool city centre, opened the Goodness Grief Tattoo Parlour in October. Her priority in terms of improving Cavern Walks is getting the upstairs level open again.Sammy said: ”They’re throwing metal down the stairs every day, so we assume they’re doing something. It’ll be cool if it’s a hotel.”We get mainly tourists obviously because they come through The Beatles thing. We do an endless amount of Beatles and Liverpool tattoos.The upstairs level of Cavern Walks is still closed(Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)“I don’t think it massively matters (what is built there). When we got here, there was a promise that there would be more footfall at some point and it is getting busier.“I think people living or staying, or whatever, up top, it can only help us. It’ll be nice I think once the whole building’s up and running.”Sammy argues the shopping centre has given her business a rare chance to have its own physical base. She said: “We’ve just tried to make a nice little space that’s a bit welcoming and not like your traditional studio.The opening of Cricket revamped fashion store – pictured Louise Bonsall (L) with Cricket director Justine Mills with Lesley Owen sister of Michael Owen back in 2003(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)“We were looking for a ground floor space because we wanted somewhere that people could walk in. We’ve been in private studios for so long.“But it’s so hard to find ground floor space that isn’t extortionate or taken by a franchise. We came across this and just snapped it up because it’s a cute little spot. It’s worked out well so far. It’s been nice.”There was a similar feeling from Janey Fairhurst, the company director of Mathew Street Records, a music shop and cafe.Janey, 32, from Wigan, said: ”We’ve been here about seven months now. Footfall has been great. We’ve met some absolutely amazing people and are excited for it to continue to grow.Janey Fairhurst, the company director of Mathew Street Records(Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool Echo)”All the other businesses are feeding off each other, which is what you want. I think, location-wise, it’s fantastic for us, being so close to The Cavern where it all began for The Beatles.“In terms of records, everybody’s back into it now. (The cafe) is perfect for us. When we do our live events as well, it’s going to be absolutely fantastic.”JSM declined to comment on its plans for the upstairs level of Cavern Walks and calls from businesses for greater promotion of the shopping centre.The ECHO also approached Mr Greenwood via Greenwood Development’s website and his air conditioning business, Everkool, for a response.

Eurovision is always eventful and it was another memorable evening for the 70th edition of the international song contest, which was staged in Austria’s capital city, Vienna. From technical blunders to Australian pop princess to a surprise package win, Eurovision 2026 will live long in the memory for anyone who was there or followed it. We have just rounded up our list of the full leaderboard, which you can view hereThanks again for following. Let’s do the same again next year for Bulgaria!

The Athletic has live coverage of Chelsea vs. Manchester City in the 2026 FA Cup Final.Welcome to The Athletic’s Premier League predictions challenge, where Savinho has lifted young Wilfred back to within striking distance of the summit.At 9.41pm UK time on Wednesday, Manchester City were cruising to a 2-0 home win against Crystal Palace — just as our guest subscriber Jack predicted, which would have taken the readers 10 points clear at the top of our predictions league with two rounds to play.However, that 84th-minute goal from Savinho, securing a 3-0 victory, meant a precious spot-on prediction for six-year-old Wilfred instead, taking our boy-wonder to within three. And, not for the first time this season, it left me wondering just what I have been up against in this game. Wilfred is a Palace fan, for goodness’ sake. What kind of six-year-old successfully predicts a 3-0 defeat for their own team?!Each week since the season began in August, four of us — an algorithm, a guest subscriber on rotation, Wilfred and I — have been predicting the Premier League results with varying degrees of success.We are awarding three points for a correct scoreline and one point for a correct result. We are also awarding a bonus point for any “unique” prediction, so Wilfred earned four after getting a bullseye with City 3-0 Palace.It leaves the subscribers with a slender lead over him going into the final two rounds.My brief hopes of a resurgence are over; the best I can hope for now is to avoid the further humiliation of being dumped to the bottom of the table by the algorithm.This week’s guest subscriber is, by the luck of the draw, another Aston Villa fan: Joe, 22, from Birmingham.Good luck, Joe.Our subscriber’s match of the weekBournemouth vs Manchester City, Tuesday, 7.30pm UK/2:30pm ETJoe says: “Manchester City will likely come into this match knowing that anything but a win will hand the title to Arsenal. Bournemouth are still fighting for a Champions League spot for next season and will be no pushovers. There will be nerves for both teams but City have a great record against Bournemouth and I expect them to continue that with a 3-1 win.”Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester CityOli says: As Joe mentions, City have won 16 of their 17 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth. Of all the match-ups that have taken place at least 10 times in the Premier League era, this is the most one-sided. But Tuesday’s edition looks like such a difficult game for Pep Guardiola’s team as they try to take the title race to the final set of fixtures the following Sunday — Bournemouth are unbeaten in 16 matches in the league since Arsenal won 3-2 at their Vitality Stadium on January 3. If I predict a City victory, it’s with no sense of certainty. It’s a real test, just three days after the play in the FA Cup final against Chelsea, too. It will be very tight.Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City
Manchester City lost 2-1 at Bournemouth last season – the only time they have failed to defeat them in the clubs’ 17 Premier League meetings (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)Oli’s other predictionsAston Villa vs LiverpoolIf I knew what kind of line-up Unai Emery was going to pick tonight (Friday), I would have a clearer view on this. If his Villa team had held on to win at Burnley last Sunday, which would have all but guaranteed Champions League qualification, I suspect he would have rested his entire starting XI here ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Freiburg. But the race for the Champions League qualification is tight enough to make me think he will go full-strength — or close to it. And if he does, it might be Liverpool who are left clinging nervously onto fifth place.Aston Villa 2-1 LiverpoolManchester United vs Nottingham ForestUnited have taken just one point from their past four Premier League meetings with Forest, dating back to December 2023. It’s the type of miserable record United have often gently cast aside in the four months since Michael Carrick was named interim head coach. This should be another of those victories that sum up their undoubted progress under Carrick, even as certain questions linger about the way forward for them beyond this season.

Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham ForestBrentford vs Crystal PalaceCredit to Pep Guardiola for recognising Oliver Glasner’s right to prioritise Palace’s upcoming UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano. Glasner’s wrap-them-in-cotton-wool approach worked in Manchester City’s favour on Wednesday but might well work against them when Palace host Arsenal on the last matchday of the Premier League season, just three days before that final against Rayo Vallecano. The challenge for Glasner is to keep his players ticking over rather than risk losing rhythm altogether. Brentford, pushing to qualify for Europe next season, will want to capitalise on that.Brentford 2-0 Crystal Palace
Palace’s priority for the remainder of this season is the UEFA Conference League final they play in on May 27 (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Leeds United vs Brighton and Hove AlbionLeeds have never beaten Brighton in the Premier League. Admittedly, that is only a seven-game sample size, but it’s still quite striking. They are, however, unbeaten in the league since March 4 — also only a run of seven matches, but again quite striking. In these situations, people sometimes say, “So something has to give”. But it doesn’t. This could be a draw. It really might be a draw.Leeds 1-1 BrightonWolverhampton Wanderers vs FulhamThe risk when Rob Edwards took over at Wolves last November was that, with relegation already looking inevitable, the positive energy he hoped to bring — and did bring for the first few months — might fade over the remainder of the campaign. That is how it is turning out; Wolves going down is not his fault by any means, but relations with an unhappy fanbase have already become strained. That is a concern. In that difficult atmosphere, against a team who have all but given up, this should be an away win to keep Fulham’s faint hopes of European qualification alive.Wolves 0-2 FulhamEverton vs SunderlandFrom the buoyant mood of a month ago, heading into a home Merseyside derby with genuine hopes of beating Liverpool to Champions League qualification, Everton are now five games without a win. Every one of the five has been tight, but precious points have slipped through their fingers. They too could yet get into Europe, but they’ll need to beat Sunderland. And nobody — with the exception of Nottingham Forest the other week — finds that easy.Everton 2-1 SunderlandNewcastle United vs West Ham UnitedAs much as I’m intrigued by the dynamic between Eddie Howe, his Newcastle team and the St James’ Park crowd after such a disappointing season, this one is all about West Ham. They desperately need a result on Sunday — ideally, a win — to heap the pressure back onto Tottenham, who don’t play until Tuesday, in the relegation battle. I can see West Ham scrapping for a point. I’m just not sure I see enough match-winning quality from them at the moment.Newcastle 1-1 West HamArsenal vs BurnleyFrom the very start of this season, Arsenal’s pursuit of their first Premier League title since 2004 has been a slog. How often have their supporters been able to sit back and enjoy the ride? Very rarely. But this looks like the kind of game where everything falls into place for them and a state of something approaching nirvana takes hold. Arsenal will score early on Monday night, then they’ll score again, and it will get to the point where their play is flowing more freely and irresistibly than it has all season. I’m going for a 4-0 win and, with goal difference and even goals scored potentially still a factor in this title race, I was tempted to go higher than that.Arsenal 4-0 BurnleyChelsea vs Tottenham HotspurI was at the “Battle of the Bridge” in 2016, when Chelsea, at the end of a miserable season for them as outgoing champions, found the motivation to inflict a terminal blow to Tottenham’s title hopes. It was a wild night, and it’s tempting to imagine something similarly anarchic here. These two teams have the worst disciplinary records in the Premier League — neither of them aggressive in any positive sense, but both lacking composure and prone to immaturity and recklessness when the pressure is on. The last thing Spurs, desperate for points in their attempts to avoid relegation, will want on Tuesday is for Chelsea to come out ready for a street fight.Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

Liverpool council said an inspector has confirmed all the equipment in the play area is safe21:13, 15 May 2026Updated 21:13, 15 May 2026Swings at Everton Terrace playground(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)It’s been claimed a swing snapped as a child played on it at a new children’s play park. Parents raised concerns over a new Liverpool City Council play area on Everton Terrace after the incident which reportedly happened last weekend.The playground opened in Everton on Saturday, May 9 following an upgrade as part of the council’s programme to refresh a number of playgrounds across the city. Following Saturday’s opening, it was claimed a swing at the park had “snapped” while a young child was on it.It was also claimed a young girl suffered facial injuries, while a boy was reportedly injured following an incident with a rope swing. Parents have claimed the park was “poorly built” and are worried about their children’s safety.A spokesperson for the council said an inspector has confirmed all the equipment in the Everton Terrace play area is safe to use.One mum visiting the park with her children at the time of the incident said: “The swing snapped off with a baby inside. The baby was really hurt. A little boy got took out by the rope swings and smacked into a rock. A little girl smashed her nose off the bar.”The newly upgraded Everton Terrace playground(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)The Liverpool Echo attended the playground this morning, Friday, May 15 and there was no signs of damage.A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “All of our play areas are independently assessed and must pass rigorous health and safety checks before they are opened to the public. This includes stress testing all equipment.“Any reported incidents are taken extremely seriously. We have reached out via social media to understand what happened in this instance.“A play inspector has confirmed that all the equipment in Everton Terrace play area is safe to use.”Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter.Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on X @LivECHONews or on Bluesky @liverpoolecho.co.uk – official Liverpool ECHO accounts – real news in real time.We’re also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Join the Liverpool ECHO Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community to receive the latest news straight to your phone by clicking here.

May 15th 

©IMAGO

The summer transfer window is approaching quickly on the horizon and clubs are already busy working on deals to acquire their top targets. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer stories

Arsenal are the latest club to express an interest in Mateus Fernandes. The 21-year-old has been a standout performer for West Ham this season but he will realistically be available if the Hammers are relegated. Manchester United and PSG have also been linked.

Manchester Untied are monitoring Neco Williams at Nottingham Forest. The Welsh international’s versatility is a major asset and he’s equally comfortable at left or right-back.

Chelsea remain interested in Mike Maignan this summer but failing to qualify for European competition would scupper their hopes of signing the French international. The AC Milan goalkeeper was heavily linked last summer but penned a new contract.

Lucien Jack wants to remind people “there is a human being” underneath the glitz and glamLucien Jack claims he experienced homophobia in Liverpool city centreA man has claimed he was called “a nonce” among other homophobic slurs as he finished his shift in Liverpool city centre. Lucien Jack, originally from North Hampshire, said within minutes of leaving nightclub Dysco on Saturday night, he was targeted on Stanley Street.The 37-year-old, who now lives in the city’s business district, said he was vlogging, as he does every week, for his YouTube channel when the incident happened on May 9. At the time, Lucien was dressed as his drag persona, Teena, and was promoting two events he his hosting this week.When the ECHO met with Lucien, he said he wanted to be photographed and interviewed as himself, as opposed to Teena. He said this was to highlight that “there is a human being” underneath the glitz and glam of a drag persona.He told the ECHO: “Every week I do a vlog called Teena Talks, and I always try to create different content – whether I’m touring or at home. Because I had shows coming up, I decided to go around Liverpool to promote them.“I have a drag character, and her personality can be quite confrontational in a playful way. The joke is always on me, and I never set out to make anyone feel uncomfortable, it’s part of the act and part of the fun. I perform across Liverpool in lots of different venues – bars, private events, and restaurants. This time, I just had finished on Stanley Street and left the venue.Lucien was dressed as their drag persona when they were targeted in the city centre “Within seconds of leaving, and starting filming in the Pride Quarter, someone shouted ‘yuck’ at me and pointed. It immediately felt like this wasn’t going to be an easy start. Someone called me a nonce and someone else shouted transphobic slurs.“I’m in the Pride Quarter, where I perform regularly, so I should feel safe there. But quite quickly, things escalated. I heard derogatory comments, including slurs and being called offensive names. It was relentless, and it made me feel quite unsafe in that moment.“I have dyspraxia and I am neurodivergent so I tend to be able to focus on what is happening in front of me. I didn’t even realise everything that was being shouted at me until I watched the footage back later while editing.“A man also came up to me and asked, ‘Are you a man?’ in a confrontational way. That moment made me feel scared. It all happened very quickly, with more comments from people around him.”Lucien said the homophobia had “nothing to do” with the venues on Stanley Street, nor did he report the incident as he said it is something he has become used to as a drag queen.Lucien said he is determined not to be deterred by the incidentHe added: “You are always going to get prejudice. I can go home and take my drag off but there are others out there who can’t. There are trans people who will be perceived in a certain light by these people. It’s quite scary how people feel they can be openly rude.”Lucien also claimed this was only part of the abuse he received that day in drag. He said earlier on, while still promoting his shows, teenagers kept “making noises” at him.He added: “It wasn’t the main issue of the day, but it made for a difficult start. I can deal with things like that – it’s just kids. But I was more conscious that I was being filmed, and I was concerned about the person filming me at the time.”Despite what happened, Lucien said he is still going ahead with his events. The first being Queerovision on Friday, May 15 at Navy Bar 2.0 and a Eurovision viewing party on Saturday, May 16 at Hot Water Comedy Club.He said: “I’ve lived here for a year and it’s such a welcoming city. I love it, but it does show the current times we are in and where we are headed. People should be able to live their lives how they want to without the relentless attacks.”If, for any reason, you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK runs a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org. You can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can also report hate crime via:

Exhiibtion also includes the first photograph of John, Paul and George performing togetherThe special exhibition, at Hamburg’s City Hall, features a rare set of Beatles photographs and letters(Image: Liverpool City Region)A trove of rare early Beatles photographs and letters written by the five original members while in Hamburg is on display in a new exhibition exploring the city’s role in launching the band’s global fame. The special exhibition, titled Harbour Cities-Global Stages has been created to celebrate Liverpool City Region’s role as the official partner of Hamburg’s annual port festival – Hafengebustag. The free exhibition opened on May 7 at Hamburg’s City Hall, the Rathaus Rathausdiele and is on display until May 25.It features historic elements such as the only Lennon and McCartney letter in existence, the first photograph of John, Paul, and George performing together, a photo of their first gig in Hamburg, as well as an insight into how they had started to feel like stars and how they secured their first recording contract.The unveiling of the exhibition comes just a month short of the 60th anniversary of The Beatles final concert in Europe – which was also in Hamburg, on June 26, 1966, at the Ernst Merck Halle.A main feature of the exhibition is an in-depth look at the origin story of The Beatles and how Hamburg shaped their sound and look from 1960-62, which helped to lay the foundations for their global superstardom.Letters to Mike McCartney, Paul McCartney’s brother(Image: Liverpool City Region)Letters donated by The Cavern, Mike McCartney and the Liverpool Beatles Museum reveal the thoughts of John, Paul and George at this influential stage in their career, as well as those of Stuart and original drummer Pete Best, who was hired specifically for their first visit to Hamburg which had been organised by the band’s first manager Alan Williams.The unique set of letters, which are also accompanied by rare photographs of the band from that time, including their first night in Hamburg in August 1960, charts their rise from a fledgling skiffle group to a rock’n’roll outfit that famously performed up to eight hours a night in numerous venues along the Reeperbahn in Hamburg’s red-light district.Some pivotal moments for the band are captured in detail, such as George’s letter to Cavern DJ, Bob Wooler in June 1961, where he explains how the band were signed up for their first record contract. The resulting single, My Bonnie, would eventually catch the attention of Brian Epstein, whose curiosity would lead him to The Cavern and becoming their manager.Stuart’s letter is written several months after he left the band to pursue an arts course in Hamburg. In a letter to Mike McCartney, sent in February 1962, he talks of feeling unwell but ends on a positive note about his plans to make a surprise return to Liverpool to visit his sister and family. Tragically, the visit never materialised as 21-year-old Stuart died just seven weeks later of a brain haemorrhage in the arms of his fiancée, Astrid, in their Hamburg flat.Pete Best’s letter to his mum, in April 1962, was sent just days after Stuart’s death, but without the band knowing. Instead, Pete regales how he, John and Paul had felt like stars boarding their plane having been interviewed by a member of the press about their recent success of being voted Liverpool’s number one band.George Harrison’s letter for Bob Wooler in June 1961(Image: Liverpool City Region)This third visit to Hamburg, in which Pete talks about their hotel and the new venue they will be opening, The Star Club, is a far cry from their first visit in August 1960, when they had driven by van for several days and had to sleep in the back room of a cinema.For Pete, the Hamburg trip was his final one with the band. Only a few weeks after returning to England, and before their first EMI recording session with George Martin in June, Brian Epstein would sack him.Also included in the exhibition is a letter from Paul to his brother Mike, which is unique because it contains a message from John, making it the only existing Lennon-McCartney co-signed letter.This letter, written in May 1962, gives an insight into Hamburg’s flourishing live music scene, with Paul revealing how they’ve been told that American rock ‘n roll legends Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis may soon be visiting the city, and how Paul hopes The Beatles can perform with Chuck. Paul also reflects on a visit to Astrid’s house, just weeks after Stuart’s passing, and how the band have photos by her and Stuart on their walls.The exhibition features a rare set of Beatles photographs and letters written by the band’s five original members whilst in Hamburg(Image: Liverpool City Region)He also talks about buying a camera similar to one Astrid owns, further underlining her influence, having famously cut Stuart’s hair to the mop-top style, which led the band, except Pete, to follow suit and which the world would first recognise them.Paul and John are photographed by Mike McCartney in the exhibition playing their iconic Höfner 500/1 violin bass and Rickenbacker 325 Capri guitars, both of which were bought at the Steinway shop in Hamburg.Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, said: “Both Hamburg and Liverpool have a long maritime tradition that has shaped our economies, cultures, and citizens’ mindsets. Both cities are diverse, cosmopolitan, and connected to the world. They honour their traditions while, as modern metropolises, embracing innovation and progress.”One of the special bonds between our cities is The Beatles, who are from Liverpool and launched their global career with legendary performances on Hamburg’s Reeperbahn. I am delighted that Liverpool is the partner region for this year’s Port Anniversary, which will allow us to strengthen our ties.”

May 13th 

©IMAGO

The summer transfer window is approaching quickly on the horizon and clubs are already busy working on deals to acquire their top targets. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer stories

Rumour

F. Valverde

Central Midfield

Real Madrid

?

Man Utd

LaLiga

Premier League

Manchester United will reportedly look to take advantage of Federico Valverde’s uncertainty at Real Madrid by making a move for the Uruguay midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Rumour

J. Ramón

Centre-Back

Como

?

Chelsea

Serie A

Premier League

Chelsea’s pursuit of Como defender Jacobo Ramón has reportedly recieved a notable boost, as Real Madrid are apparently unsure whether to trigger a clause in the 21-year-old talent’s contract to re-sign him next season.

The end of the season may be a busy month for Fulham boss Marco Silva. One report in England suggests that he’s already set to replace Vitor Pereira at Nottingham Forest, irrespective of whether they get relegated or not. While another report suggests that the manager could be in the running for the Chelsea job, if the Stamford Bridge side can’t convince Xabi Alonso to make the move to London.

Liverpool’s coffee scene is set to take centre stage with the return of it’s much loved celebration of the caffeinated drink. 
The event is set to be hosted for the third time at the beloved Black Lodge Brewery on Kings Dock St. The two-day-long festival aims to celebrate quality, craft and community while bringing together the best coffee producers from Liverpool and across the UK.
People can take the opportunity to explore over 300 different coffees from around the world, and also have access to exclusive talks and tasting sessions.
Ticketholders will also get the chance to compete in a latte art competition with exclusive prizes on the Sunday. Outstanding pastries, baked goods and savoury food from some Liverpool hospitality heroes will also be on offer. Showcasing the UK’s leading roasters, there will also be a bold Roasters’ Village and tasting lab to explore flavour and processes. 
Coffee lovers can enjoy the return of the festival with a limited-edition collaborative blend available at Crosby Coffee, Press Bros. and Two Words from next week (w/c 18th May).
This is created together with the festival, with the three roasters working together to select and profile a naturally processed Colombian Pink Bourbon coffee.
The drink is produced by Luis Anibal Calderon and sourced via Cofinet, resulting in a roast that showcases both craft and collaboration within the city’s coffee community.

Credit: HJ Comms/ Liverpool Coffee Festival
Credit: HJ Comms/ Liverpool Coffee Festival

Liverpool Coffee Festival Founder and Owner of Sub Rosa, Pedro Hunter, said: 
“We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing the festival back for a third year. Each year it’s grown in both scale and ambition, and it’s been incredible to see the community really get behind it, from local independents to national names, all coming together to celebrate great coffee across the region.”
Geoff Cliff and Chris Austin, distributors of Compak Coffee Grinders and Conti Espresso Machines, said: 
“There is a unique energy at the Liverpool Coffee Festival that you won’t find anywhere else. As headline sponsors, we’re proud to support a platform that celebrates both the craft and the community.”
“As Machine and Grinder sponsors, we’re looking forward to powering the brews this year and helping every attendee experience the difference that excellent equipment brings.”
Liverpool Coffee Festival is supported by IX Water, Alliance Local, Brades Dairy Farm and Brewed by Hand. Conti Espresso Machines and Compak Coffee Grinders proudly sponsor the popular event, too.
Liverpool Coffee Festival will be taking place at Black Lodge Brewery on Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th June 2026 from 10am – 4pm each day. Tickets are available to purchase online now at £13 for a day pass or £20.50 for a full weekend pass.
Find out more about Liverpool Coffee Festival here.
Stay up to date with what’s on this week in Liverpool here.

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