Lark Lane is Liverpool’s bustling vibrant social centre known for it’s traditional pubs, trendy bars, Instagram-worthy baked goods and let’s not forget the coffee. The Lane is awash with quirky independent shops and home to a fascinating vintage warehouse.
But it’s beating heart is surely the local community centre. The entrance to which is on Sefton Grove, the street just to the left of the the Old Police Station at 80 Lark Lane.
St Michael’s and Lark Lane Community Association has been serving the local community effectively for years. It hosts a plethora of activities for all ages and interests including, the pre school nursery, over 50’s exercise, middle eastern dance class, pottery, yoga, pain relief classes and a majorettes team. Feel free to contact them on 0151 728 7884 or pop in for an extensive list of activities.
Being so well used by so many the building now over 140 years old requires more than a little TLC. To this end, fundraising is in the pipeline, including a raffle. Details coming soon of how to donate prizes and buy tickets.
But the celebration I want to talk about is the 10th anniversary of Liverpool Makers’ Bazaar, an independent pop-up market dedicated to all things handmade.
A carefully curated blend of arts are gathered at each event where the makers themselves exhibit and sell their work directly to the public. We are joined by talented painters, jewellery makers, ceramists, woodworkers…people working in all mediums.
In addition to hosting experienced local makers, enthusiastic newcomers make frequent appearances so there’s always something fresh to the see for our regular customers.
Mrs B’s Vintage Teas has been with us since the beginning providing an on site pop up tea room serving delicious cake alongside savoury treats and hot drinks to sustain our customers and power them through the two halls of fabulous shopping.
I have been hosting this market since 2017 and believe that makes us the longest running pop up market of all things handmade in Liverpool.
During the time of COVID and the frenzy of lockdowns I ran free online virtual markets supporting our small local businesses and maintaining our customers appetite for handmade, reminding people of the alternative to bland mass produced items offered in mainstream shops.
Art and Craft or Makers Markets have happily become increasingly popular and in Liverpool alone you can sometimes visit several over the course of one weekend. This is great, it gives talented local creatives more of an outlet for their work. For the customers, it’s so much more enjoyable to chat to the person who made the item, ask questions and know the story of each piece.
There’s also often the opportunity to customise a piece or commission exactly what you want to be made from scratch. Why settle for nearly perfect when you can have something made specifically for you?
It has been a delight for me to meet so many talented local people, hear their stories and see the fruits of their imaginations I would like to thank the thousands of artists who have joined us over the years, investing their time and money and trusting us to help them promote and sell their wonderful work. I look forward as always to meeting old and new friends in the coming months
Entry is free to the markets from 11am to 4pm on the following dates; May 10th, June 14th, September 13th, October 10th, November 8th and December 6th
You can even bring the dog. We hope to see you soon.
