In the current cost of living crisis, it looks like Liverpool is set to be one of the hardest-hit parts of the UK.
To back up this statement with a few figures, it’s been estimated that a typical household consisting of two adults earning average salaries for the region and paying for their semi-detached house with a variable mortgage are now facing monthly household expenses of £1,185.
This represents a 27% increase on last year’s figure and a rise of £254 per month or £3,048 a year. People and families living on lower-than-average incomes and benefits are set to be even harder hit in relative terms.
Thankfully, Liverpool City Council has stepped in to help with an awareness campaign primarily designed to let Liverpudlians know about welfare assistance that could be available. Most people will also find that their bank is on hand to advise them about how to handle the rising cost of living from becoming better at budgeting to discovering what benefits might be available to them. Some providers are offering additional support with spending insights, webinars, and calculators.
But, while the coming months certainly look like they’re going to involve a great deal of belt-tightening, it doesn’t have to mean the end of fun. One of the great things about a big, buzzing city like Liverpool is that there are always plenty of things that you can do for free.
Magnificent museums
Often the places where we live are the ones where we do the least sightseeing and visiting. So this could be the perfect opportunity to check out any of the city’s free museums. Naturally, the first port of call has to be the Museum of Liverpool, just next to Pier Head.
It tells the history of Liverpool, its grand past and exciting future. Then, just along the way at Albert Dock, there’s both the Maritime Museum and the International Museum of Slavery, which looks at the city’s sea-faring history from two very different perspectives.
Awesome art
We’re also incredibly lucky to have some world-class art galleries that won’t cost you a penny to visit. Tate Liverpool has several free galleries as well as temporary exhibitions. Up until June 2023, one of these features paintings by JMW Turner accompanied by a soundscape created by artist/musician Lamin Fofana and while a ticket is needed for this, it’s free if you’re a student at any of the city’s universities.
Over at the Walker Gallery, there’s Art of the Terraces running up until 12 March 2023. This takes a very different look at another Liverpool passion – football – but through the lens of fashion, music and popular culture.
Super sounds
There are also too many places to count where you can go to enjoy music for free – from the Beatles-themed Rubber Soul on Mathew Street to the legendary Zanzibar on Seel Street where everyone from The Coral to The Zutons kicked off their careers.
So why not put aside inflation and rising interest rates for a moment and get out to enjoy everything this great city has to enjoy for free?
