Category: Liverpool

The Liverpool city centre café has already been replacedBold Street packed with shoppers(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)A Bold Street café that was once constantly packed with customers has quietly disappeared from the city. Gong Cha, the bubble tea brand that attracted long queues stretching down the street when it opened in 2020, has closed and has already been replaced by another company.Gong Cha opened with more than 100 customers waiting in line and a lion dance ceremony to mark the occasion. The brand served a range of bubble teas, including “dirtea”, a dessert-like drink combining its signature milk foam, fresh milk, brown sugar pearls and topped off with Oreo crumbs.In August, Gong Cha shut its Newcastle site with no prior warning, leaving only a note on the door. Two months later, the company closed all of its Singaporean sites for the second time after a similar exit from the country in 2017.The Liverpool site’s absence was short lived as a new business, a Hong Kong street food venue named LOJO Mate, has already opened in the premises.LOJO Mate Classic HK Cafe on Bold Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)LOJO Mate came to prominence early last year as an inconspicuous dining spot serving up dishes from thousands of miles away. Established in 2024, it was an off-shoot of highly rated takeaway, Sai Kwan Lo Jo, which was formed more than 6,000 miles away in Hong Kong.Operating for several years, the original spot specialised in food from China’s Guangdong’s Xiguan region, such as hand-made lai fun noodles and sticky rice dumplings.For three years it consistently made it onto the Michelin Guide’s prestigious Bib Gourmand list. But then it suddenly closed with its owners called it quits on its takeaway, citing the pandemic, closures happening around them and a period of low earnings.LOJO Mate Classic HK Cafe on Bold Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)However, one of its founders decided to up sticks and move to the UK, landing in Bury, where he established LOJO Mate with a focus on Hong Kong-inspired dishes.In March, its owner, Alex, who prided himself as a one man operation, announced the venue would be leaving Manchester. LOJO Mate has now taken the brand to Liverpool with the Bold Street site up and running and offering everything customers came to love from the Bury site.Announcing its arrival, LOJO Mate said: “From a Red, to another. Almost two years of ‘training’ in Bury. Didn’t get much, apart from repetition. This year, LOJO Mate moves to the next chapter.”

June 4th 

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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

Manchester United remain interested in Aurélien Tchouaméni. The 26-year-old’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks but Real Madrid don’t want to sell the French international but United could still table an offer.

Liverpool have opened talks with RB Leipzig over Yan Diomande. The Ivory Coast international is one of the most coveted players in the world but it’s unclear whether Liverpool will match Leipzig’s €130m valuation – you can read more about that story here.

Newcastle have submitted a €24m bid to sign AIK Stockholm’s 18-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, who is one of the biggest talents playing in Sweden.

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Parents say they feel they’re ‘finally being listened to’ as they continue their fight to keep city centre school openAnna Mulholland with her son and daughter Alice Mulholland, 15, who has attended LIPA since she was four-years-old(Image: Liverpool Echo)Parents desperate to save a Liverpool city centre school from closing down, will have their case heard at the High Court of Justice. The Save LIPA School campaign has continued its fight to keep the school open, and hopes the court will approve a Judicial Review into the decision to close it down.At the start of April, the Liverpool ECHO revealed that a letter was issued to parents of LIPA Primary and Secondary School, confirming a final decision had been taken to close the school at the end of the summer term in July. This followed a ‘listening period’, which came after an initial closure decision was announced for the Upper Duke Street School in February.But despite the passionate protestations of parents, pupils and teachers, the Department of Education agreed with the decision to close LIPA School and this was confirmed to parents in a letter in mid-April.The letter, from the current chair of the multi-academy trust which runs the school, Kevin Mothersdale, said: “Following the listening period and consideration of the responses, the Department for Education has confirmed that LIPA School will close permanently at the end of the summer term on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.A protest outside LIPA Primary School in Liverpool earlier this year(Image: Liverpool Echo)Despite this, the ‘Save LIPA School’ campaign has continued to insist that its fight is “far from over”, and confirmed its intention to proceed with a planned Judicial Review of the closure decision, which it argues was “cloaked in secrecy.”Since then, and as part of plan to have get a judicial review approved, the families have submitted more than a thousand documents detailing the case to keep LIPA school open.Parents contacted the ECHO last night (June 3) to confirm their case will now be heard at the High Court of Justice on June 11. The claimant in the case is one of the parents, Siobhan Green, while the defendant is listed as the Secretary of State for Education, with LIPA School listed as an ‘interested party’.The case requires both the claimant, and the Secretary of State for Education to provide a ‘skeleton argument’ by Monday June 8.Responding to the news the campaign’s argument will be heard at the High Court, a number of parents offered their response to the news, including Dagmara Wojciechowicz, who has two children at LIPA School, one in primary and one in secondary education.Dagmara Wojciechowicz has two children who attend LIPA school including her daughter Bianca, 7, who joined in 2022(Image: Liverpool Echo)She told us: “The proposed closure of LIPA School feels like a heart-breaking injustice and a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of the children and families who depend on it.”Throughout this uncertainty, the teachers have gone above and beyond, supporting our children not just in the classrooms but emotionally, helping them feel safe and valued when so much is out of their control.”For many children, LIPA is their safe space—a place where they have found confidence, belonging and the opportunity to truly thrive. What makes this entire situation even harder to understand is that there is no other free creative school in the city.”Such big part of Liverpool’s identity is built on culture, music and the arts. It’s mind blowing to think that so little was done to support the school. Losing Lipa School would leave a void that cannot simply be replaced. We hope that the hearing can put the stop to this unjust process.”Lauren Byron, mum to two children who are also in LIPA’s primary school and high school, said: “Finally I feel like our voices are being listened to.A protest outside LIPA Primary School in Liverpool earlier this year(Image: Liverpool Echo)”There are major problems with the British education system and Lipa offered a creative approach to learning that the children needed. I’m grateful for such a strong community that won’t just accept a closure and appreciate all the work behind the scenes from our legal team to make this possible.”Another parent, and one of the founding members of the ‘Save LIPA School’ campaign, Anna Mulholland said: “An in person hearing is a positive step in our fight.”It is the first real opportunity for the courts to be made aware of the immensely detrimental impact this closure is having on the children and the extremely poor way the LIPA MAT and trustees have handled the situation.”

The Grade II listed building, which sits near James Street station, is to become an Irish-themed venueCastle Moat House, James Street, Liverpool Plans for another Irish-themed venue in Liverpool city centre could face a backlash over proposed late night opening times. The Castle Moat House building on Fenwick Street is to reopen under a new occupant.The Grade II listed building, which sits near James Street station, is to become another Irish-themed venue named McSwiggins. The site Castle Moat House was built in the late 1830s as the North and South Wales Bank, designed by Edward Corbett.McSwiggins will be the latest venue to open from hospitality operator Pub Invest Group, which controls more than 40 sites across the city centre, including similar Irish concepts Temple Tavern on Mathew Street, McNastys on Seel Street and The Dubliner in Temple Court. A licensing application logged with Liverpool Council has requested the premises to open daily from 9am until 2am with live music indoors.This has prompted concern from some around the building, including one opponent who said the noise from the site could be “intolerable”. The plans will now go to a crunch committee hearing with councillors to make a final decision on the hours being sought.Cllr Nick Small was among those to object to the proposed hours. In a written representation, he said: “Based on dialogue I have had with residents living on Fenwick Street and James Street, I believe that the application as it currently stands will result in increased noise nuisance for residents from the amplified music from the premises, so have suggested reasonable conditions to prevent this.“I also believe that the requested hours are not reasonable in this part of the city centre. This part of the city centre is increasingly residential and reducing the terminal hours as I suggest will help to protect that character by reducing public nuisance.”Cllr Nick Small(Image: Liverpool Echo)As a compromise, Cllr Small suggested hours could be reduced to 11am to 11pm on Monday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Sunday closing time would be 10.30pm as part of this suggestion.The building’s name comes from the building standing over the site of the old moat of Liverpool Castle, which once occupied the area around modern Derby Square. An opening date is yet to be announced but the tavern has teased the launch as “coming soon.”One objector wrote to Liverpool Council setting out why they could not support the requested hours as submitted.They said: “I oppose the 2am licence of this premises as I think it will have a negative impact on the surrounding area.“There is real concern this will cause anti-social behaviour late at night and as a resident I’m worried about the loud noise from live music and do not want a speaker to be playing music out on to the street.”Another opponent wanted the council to go further.They wrote: “I own two units and the extension of music until 2am is intolerable. I suggest that 10pm would be acceptable.”The plans will now go before Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee on Tuesday, June 9 for a final consideration. The ECHO contacted a spokesperson for Pub Invest Group for comment.

Josh Abe has committed his long-term future to Liverpool Football Club.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe 15-year-old attacker turned down offers from a number of Premier League clubs, including rivals Manchester City, to sign scholarship terms.The teenager is understood to have put pen to paper on a pre-contract agreement that will see him start a three-year professional deal once he turns 17 in 2027.It has been reported that Abe was offered as much as £50,000 a week to leave the Merseyside giants this summer.Despite having been injured since February, and having witnessed limited faith put in Liverpool’s young talent under Arne Slot, the youngster has committed to continuing his development at L4.The Spaniard’s reputation certainly precedes him when it comes to improving and handing opportunities to young stars, with the likes of Rayan Vitor, Eli Junior Kroupi, and Dean Huijsen having all benefited.Handy, given that Josh Abe will be available for the club’s pre-season tour of the States ahead of the 2026/27 season.Featuring on the right wing, the teenager has already impressed Liverpool coaches with his natural inclination to invert and fearlessly drive at his opponents with the ball.Footage shared by The Secret Scout on X (formerly Twitter) indicates this isn’t the only facet to his game. He’s evidently just as able to cut inside and utilise his vision to pick out an advancing teammate with a deadly through ball.There’s also a remarkable explosiveness to Abe’s game. The young wide man is happy to stretch play to the byline before receiving the ball and bursting away from a press where he can then impact the game in the final third.This may very well be a talent to keep a close eye on – especially given Iraola’s notable ability to develop young stars.More Stories / Latest News

The new ferry features open-plan decks, new seating areas, and bars.It has also been fitted with dedicated event spaces that transform the ferry into a venue for conferences, corporate functions and private celebrations, the authority said. The design is intended to be “fully accessible”, including a dedicated lift providing easy access to the upper deck. Rotheram added: “Just like our new publicly owned trains and modern bus fleet, this new ferry sits alongside the very best of our transport investments. “We want people to step aboard and be genuinely wowed from the moment they arrive.”The Royal Daffodil was built as part of a £26m investment in modernising the Mersey Ferries fleet. It replaces the Royal Iris, which featured in the 1965 film Ferry Cross the Mersey, starring the band Gerry and the Pacemakers, who also sang the legendary title song.Over the coming months, there will be a programme of captain and crew training, ahead of its launch later this year.

Developer wants to make amendments as transformational scheme moves forwardHow the new office and park development at Pall Mall could look(Image: Liverpool ECHO)There are plans to alter a multi-million pound flagship office and garden complex set to be built in Liverpool city centre. The Pall Mall scheme is set to be developed on land off Bixteth Street in the city’s business district.The council-owned site was remediated in 2020 and a masterplan for new Grade A office buildings and a hotel were approved. But the plans stalled and the area has been fenced off ever since.But with new funding secured last year, it is hoped that the development – led by Kier Property Developments Ltd – could see its first phase, including an eight-storey office and an urban park – completed by 2028.The scheme received a further boost last month when it was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that the government would be backing the plans – which would see the first Grade A offices built in Liverpool in 15 years – with cash to help bring it to life.As the plans progress, Kier has now submitted a new application to the city council to make some changes to the scheme.The application is for what is known as a ‘non-material amendment’ to its existing planning permission for the development site.The application seeks to amend some of the approved designs of the scheme. They say the changes are required to make sure the final design is compliant with building and fire safety and to respond to changes in the market that have occurred since the original approval of the application back in 2019.As well as some specific design changes, other alterations would see the number of car parking spaces at the scheme reduce from 24 to 20.How the new office and park development at Pall Mall could lookIn terms of the redesign, the new application would seek to reconfigure the main entrance and lobby of the development, with the primary access now being from Bixteth Walk and secondary access from the gardens area. The planned roof terrace will be relocated from level 7 of the complex to level 8.The application statement insists that the planned amendments will not materially affect the site’s external appearance or elevations, with views onto the site from nearby unaffected.A statement reads: “The architectural character and quality of the scheme will be maintained with the changes to the scheme, and the viability and deliverability of the scheme will be significantly improved, having responded to changes in the market that have occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic.”Pall Mall Liverpool is widely recognised as a catalyst project for Liverpool’s growth, playing a critical role in the expansion of the city’s Commercial Business District (CBD).The project is being delivered in partnership with Liverpool City Council, supported by grant funding, and according to the council, it underlines its commitment to unlocking ‘strategically important regeneration’ and driving economic growth in the city centre.Speaking in March, Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy at Liverpool City Council said: “The progress at Pall Mall Gardens demonstrates our commitment to creating a city centre that works for modern businesses and supports long-term economic growth.“By investing in high quality, sustainable office space, we are strengthening Liverpool’s commercial offer and creating the conditions that more companies look for when deciding where to invest, locate and grow.“This development is a key part of our ambition to build a competitive, future focused city that attracts new employers, creates high value jobs and delivers lasting benefits for residents.”

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology visited the University of Liverpool, alongside Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve RotheramLiz Kendall (Technology Secretary), visiting the University of Liverpool Materials Innovation Factory.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)Liverpool is set to receive £23.7m in government funding, designed to fuel new industries and technologies, which officials say will drive the ‘growth, jobs and businesses of the future’. It comes as mayors across England, including Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, are set to be given expanded powers to boost jobs and growth within their areas.The announcement was made during a visit from Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall who was touring Liverpool’s Materials Innovation Factory this afternoon (June 1), to explore the city’s Knowledge Quarter’, and discussed the importance of science and technology for the region, as well as a word on Andy Burnham’s election campaign.After the next Spending Review, the government said Mayors of Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities will be given the ability to decide how and where to target regional R&D investment through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIP), all on their own doorstep.The LIP fund aims to support partnerships between local leaders, businesses and universities, to turn existing research breakthroughs into ‘practical solutions’.Liz Kendall (Technology Secretary), visiting the University of Liverpool Materials Innovation Factory.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)£500 million has already been committed for the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund between 2026-31, and will help support innovative businesses in 17 regions across the country. This includes two projects led by the University of Liverpool, which is set to receive £23.7m of the £30 million LIP funding for the region.One project, AIM HI, will accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and robotics in materials chemistry, to increase productivity and new business growth. The other project, NBIC LIVE, will establish the world’s first centre of innovation excellence dedicated to AI-enabled rapid innovation of antimicrobial, anti-viral, and anti-biofilm surfaces and materials.Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “The projects being backed in our region today show exactly what can happen when you trust places like ours to lead from the front. We’ve got world-class expertise here in the Liverpool City Region and this investment will help turn that innovation into good jobs, new industries and real opportunities for local people.“But the really important part of today’s announcement is about what comes next. For too long, decisions about funding and investment have been made in Whitehall by people too far removed from the strengths and challenges of our communities. Giving mayors greater control over future innovation funding is another important step towards putting those decisions in local hands.Liz Kendall (Technology Secretary), with Steve Rotheram (Mayor of Liverpool City Region), on a visit to the University of Liverpool Materials Innovation Factory.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)“Whether it’s life sciences, AI, advanced manufacturing or clean energy, we’ve shown time and again that our region can compete with anyone when we’re given the tools to do it. This is about backing our strengths, growing the economy and making sure the benefits are felt by the people who live here.”Providing a tour of Liverpool’s Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Professor Tim Jones said good way of understanding what MIF does is to imagine Liverpool being at the centre of ‘Tomorrow’s World’ but also with a stake in delivering innovation in the short-to-mid-term as well.In relation to the funding announcement, Professor Jones added: “This funding recognises the power of partnership between universities, industry and civic leaders. Through AIM-HI and NBIC-LIVE, the University of Liverpool will help accelerate world-leading advances in AI-enabled materials chemistry and life science, while creating new opportunities for businesses, researchers and the LCR workforce.“The projects have been developed through strong partnership working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and our industry partners The LCR LIPF projects will foster long-term economic growth and support high-value jobs whilst securing our region’s reputation as a global centre for scientific and technological innovation.”Joining Mayor Rotheram, Professor Jones and other local officials in Liverpool today (June 1), was Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, who confirmed plans to pass future control of the Local Innovation Partnership Fund to regional leaders, with the change expected to kick in during the next Spending Review period.The University of Liverpool Materials Innovation Factory(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)Ms Kendall said: “Science and technology is the ultimate driver of growth, and this Government is determined to ensure every region shares in the prosperity brought about by innovation.“Through the future devolution of Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, we are putting money and power into the hands of regional leaders that know the strengths of their communities best, allowing them to back local businesses, encourage innovation and create the high-quality jobs that will drive the growth these regions need now and in the future.”Responding to a question about the upcoming Makerfield by-election, Ms Kendall confirms she is making her way to the constituency after visiting Liverpool, to show support for Andy Burnham’s campaign, adding: [Andy] will be an incredible MP for the Makerfield.”She continued: “I think he’ll be a passionate advocate for the people there, and he will want to do everything to make government work for people there, and I’ll be very proud to go and campaign for him.”I’ve worked with him over many years, even my last job at Work and Pensions, where we worked really closely on the youth guarantee to make sure every young person is earning or learning. Today’s announcement will give Greater Manchester that, and funding to back local innovation through its universities and businesses, too.”He’s been a long-standing champion of that, and I absolutely back him in that agenda.”

A man has been charged with manslaughter after the death of another man in Liverpool city centre last year.Alex Jones was found with a serious head injury close to McDonalds at the junction of Hanover Street and Ranelagh Street at about 19:35 on Friday 28 March 2025.The 34-year-old from Birmingham was taken to hospital but died the following month.Jack Dixon, 32, from Hollywood, Worcestershire has been charged with manslaughter and is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on 19 August.