Hidden around a non-tourist corner. Fabric District Mural Art
The Fabric District area near Liverpool Lime Street Station is on the totally contrary path to the tourists' destinations. Mind you, many Liverpooldians are oblivious to the existence of this part of the city centre as well, and ignorant to the idea that the biggest maker of the Police and Royal Navy hats in the UK is located here, still a family-owned business, Try & Lilly - along with the dressmaker studio, Thelma Madine, who participated her works in the TV show - My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
There has been a major regeneration going on for some years now, the area gets busier and it's worth a visit. You need to take right and behind Lime Street Station instead of going left or ahead as the crowds do. A truly local spirit of Liverpool past lives there.
Going through London Road first, towards the Monument Place Market it is where local residents, students, Royal Hospital workers tend to make their day-to-day shopping and living. Instantly you will submerge yourself in a completely different vibe of Liverpool, very private, cosy, creative, laidback, relaxed.
But there is even more.
Hidden behind the famous Liverpool store TJ Hughes is Fabric District, forgotten and rundown for many years, now it's coming back. Take Stafford Street to enter a distinctive zone that has been linked to the textile industry for decades, a renowned part of Liverpool city centre.
Now it is brimming with colours thanks to the graffiti artists who run some sort of a competition here.
The regeneration started in 2017 where a group of local creative and entrepreneurial folks took a step to revive what was left from the once rich thriving and industrious space called Islington.
The Islington Stakeholders Group (ISG) was formed to transform it into a destination for start-ups, independent and established family businesses with accompanying cafes, bars, creative hubs and visionary street art.
Behind many of the project is Secret Society of Super Villain Artists, a group shrouded in some mystery, collaborating as a collective of international artists; also with some links to Tate gallery in London.
Gildart Street and Constance Street are probably the best to see the ever-expansive murals. The blue shining moon (above, upper right) is the work of a Bristol-based graffiti artist, Cheba, for example.
There are still many rundown buildings, a sorry and sore state, yet the creative spirit fosters the renewal and renaissance that may bring more interests and investment. It is really fun and enjoyable walk around the quarter - discovering a new exposition around almost every corner.
International, national and local mural artists had taken part in Time Tunnel Fabric District Festival, to create this open-air street gallery. There are works by Shane O’Malley, Darren John and Finbar McHugh.
The Tapestry (above, upper left) is at the centre of the creative transformation.
With the help of renowned interior design firm, it became a space for “craft, work and play”. There are workshops for fashion businesses, a curtsy to the district's textile heritage, there is a new events space, a dance studio, a hi-tech hub DoES Liverpool and a bar.
It is probably one of the best places to see a variety of street art in such a confined space. The famous textile enclave it used to be, is slowly but surely regaining its status.
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Liverpool Fabric District Map
