Our high streets are not just essential to our local economy and a key source of jobs; they're where we connect, socialise and of course, shop.
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00:00It feels like almost every day you hear about yet another shop closing down.
00:06Liverpool is ahead of the curve though as the beginning of the year saw monthly retail sales
00:10of £58.2 million which is a 3.7% increase on the previous year.
00:17This is even in light of a decrease of 8% in customer numbers.
00:22There are however a number of big names locally that have come and gone over the years.
00:27Blacklars was a well-known and loved department store on Great Charlotte Street.
00:31The shop featured six floors and a basement offering a wide array of products.
00:34It was most famous for its elaborate winter wonderland grotto and its giant Santa Claus.
00:40These attractions made it a popular family destination during the festive season.
00:44At its peak Blacklars employed nearly a thousand members of staff,
00:48most notably a young George Harrison who worked as an apprentice electrician at the store.
00:52They closed their doors for the final time in 1988 after 80 years.
00:58The site now houses a Weatherspoons named the Richard John Blacklar honouring the store's founder.
01:04Lewis's was a prominent British department store chain founded by David Lewis
01:09in 1856 on Ramney Street. Initially offering men's and boys' clothing,
01:13the store expanded to include women's fashion, shoes and tobacco by the 1870s.
01:17Its success led to branches in Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield.
01:21The Liverpool flagship store underwent major reconstruction after bombing during World War II.
01:27The 1950s refurbishment featured the Liverpool resurgent statue by Sir Jacob Epstein but
01:33locals know it more commonly as Dickie Lewis.
01:35Unfortunately financial challenges led to the shop's closure in 2010 after 154 years of operation.
01:43The building, a grade two listed structure,
01:45has been preserved and integrated into the central village development.
01:49We've been to ask you what shops you miss the most here in Liverpool.
01:54Woolworth's, A&A, Henderson's, all the old time shops, yeah.
01:59Jojo's was a good one back on County Road, that used to be unreal.
02:04Beaver Radio, I used to love the electronics and Jack's Yaks and Whitechapel, the sports goods.
02:09Little Bud's, I love Little Bud's.
02:14George and Elyse, yeah I remember there, yeah I used to go there regularly.
02:17We need Woolies back.
02:19Woolworth's, she needs Woolworth's.
02:20I worked in Woolies.
02:22Black was where you went and got all your bits and bobs, the dasheries and things wasn't it.
02:29There's a certain nostalgia, particularly with Woolworth's,
02:33you know you got so much to pick and mix when I was a kid and I think when a big shop,
02:40you know a big name goes, a little bit of your childhood goes with it that you remember as well.
02:45But we would love to get you to join in on the conversation about the shops you miss the most.
02:50Share your memories and even pictures if you have any,
02:53you can submit them online at liverpoolworld.uk, we can't wait to hear from you.