This year has no doubt been a difficult one for most, with new challenges to face and uncertainty becoming the norm.
Rises in coronavirus cases meant we were put on lockdown again, while with the arrival of the Omicron variant we were left unsure if we’d have a ‘normal’ Christmas 2021.
This year, businesses across the country have once again struggled to remain a float, and sadly, many of them lost the battle.
READ MORE: 11 pubs that could win Liverpool's Pub of the Year 2022
Unfortunately, several Liverpool businesses were among those we’ve had to say goodbye to this year.
Below, we’ve taken a look at the shops, restaurants, bars and clubs we’ve lost this year.
Debenhams
High street retailer Debenhams closed its doors at Liverpool ONE for the very last time on May 15 after the retail giant went into administration in April 2019.
The company had struggled to adapt to rising competition from online rivals and a decline in high street shopping .
The company announced last year it would be closing its doors and 52 stores, including Debenhams on Lord Street in Southport.
Debenhams will now operate online-only after being bought by Boohoo in January 2021. The purchase only included the Debenhams name and website, but not its physical stores.
Aloha
The team behind Liverpool's Aloha bar announced it would close its doors for good back in July.
The popular bar has a long history in Liverpool, with the closure of its Colquitt Street venue back in 2019 coming as a huge shock.
However in June 2020 the bar made its triumphant return on Caryl Street in the Baltic Triangle where it has stayed since.
After its return following an extended lockdown closure last year, the team said it was with “great sadness” that Aloha would close its doors again at the end of July 2021.
The Little Shoe
The team at popular Bold Street cafe The Little Shoe took to Facebook to share the news they had made the "emotional decision" to close the venue earlier this month.
The Little Shoe opened its doors back in 2019 after being rebranded from East Avenue Bakehouse.
Now, after eight years, the team has decided to leave Bold Street, thanking customers for visiting and claiming they have "something very exciting" planned for the future.
60 Hope Street
The restaurant thought to be among the finest in Liverpool for many years confirmed that it would close its doors for good back in May.
60 Hope Street shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the end of March 2020, and did not reopen at any stage during the changing easing of restrictions because it was 'not commercially viable'.
Gary Manning, along with brother Colin, took the decision to close the restaurant for good after 22 years, but they insisted it was not related to the coronavirus-enforced closure.
The venue has now been replaced with a new restaurant, Elite 60.
Hannah’s Bar
Hannah’s Bar on Leece Street, which has a long history in Liverpool, announced its closure in September.
The bar was known for its cosy atmosphere, comfy chairs and cheap drinks - as well as its stunning views of the Liverpool skyline from its top floor terrace.
The sudden closure shocked many, with hundreds of people taking to the comments section beneath the post to share their sadness - and even some memories.
The venue is now home to new bar Metrocola.
Siren
Siren on St James Street in the Baltic Triangle announced its closure via social media back in March.
The restaurant made the "heartbreaking" decision to close down following a "devastating" year.
In a message to fans, the team wrote: "To all our lovely customers, friends & followers.
"It's our first post in a while but unfortunately it will also be our last. We wanted to let you all know that we've had to make the heartbreaking decision to close SIREN Liverpool.
"This last year has been devastating for our business & we are unfortunately unable to continue.
"We are so incredibly grateful to each and every one of you for your support over the last eight years. We will miss you all terribly, thank you all for the memories."
Anar Turkish BBQ
Anar Turkish BBQ on Aigburth Road, which opened in 2018, announced its closure back in January.
The restaurant said it was 'with a heavy heart' that it must close its doors due to the 'strains and pressures' of the last year and another 'tough' start to 2021.
Taking to Instagram, the team shared a photo which read: "Important closure announcement.
"Unfortunately due to the strains and pressures of last year and again this year's tough start, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close Anar Aigburth from tonight.
"We would like to thank each & everyone off you for your support & custom, we are very sad to do this."
Wolf & Waffle
City centre restaurant Wolf & Waffle confirmed its closure in July 2021.
The team behind the venue originally set up residence on Berry Street with Neon Jamon in 2012 before progressing with Wolf & Waffle.
Wolf & Waffle proved popular for its extensive range of waffles, burgers and cocktails while its stylish interior featured a bright bar space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a beer garden space.
The news was also announced on Instagram . Wolf & Waffle said: "Sorry for the radio silence, but we have news. Our Berry Street home has come to an end.
"It all started with Neon Jamon in 2012, followed by our adventures into waffles and cocktails with the wonderful Wolf & Waffle. Even more recently our deliciously flirty first floor french Brasserie Loup.
"It’s been amazing, thank you. It's time for this wolf to head back to our spiritual home of South Liverpool."
Thorntons
In March, Thorntons confirmed it was shutting all its UK stores putting 600 jobs at risk.
It was then confirmed to the ECHO that the store would not reopen on April 12, when non-essential stores across England opened their doors once again.
Announcing the closure news in March, a spokesperson for the retailer said it had been "operating for a long time in a tough and challenging retail environment".
The retailer remains online and products will continue to be sold in other retail stores.
The Liverpool ONE unit is now home to coffee shop Bean.
Topshop and Topman
Topshop and Topman, part of the Arcadia Group, have closed for good, including Liverpool’s Church Street and New Mersey Retail park stores.
ASOS acquired the brands from the administrators of Arcadia two months after its collapse.
However, the multimillion-pound deal did not include the purchase of the retail shops and all Topshop and Topman stores across the country will close.
Miss Selfridge
Along with Topshop and Topman, Miss Selfridge stores, including the one on Church Street in Liverpool will also close after online fashion giant ASOS bought all the brands.
Dorothy Perkins, Burton and Wallis
Clothing website Boohoo bought Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton, which were all owned by Arcadia Group, for £25.2 million earlier this year.
The deal was for the inventory, e-commerce and digital assets of the businesses but it does not include the brands' 214 remaining shops, which closed.
This includes Dorothy Perkins, Burton and Wallis at Debenhams in Liverpool ONE.
Dorothy Perkins, Burton and Wallis, while all owned by the same company, were often standalone stores too. Liverpool's standalone Dorothy Perkins store on Church Street closed its doors back in 2016.
Outfit
Clothing retailer Outfit closed two of its stores in Liverpool this year.
The brand, which was also owned by the Arcadia Group, confirmed that stores at Liverpool Shopping Park on Edge Lane and at New Mersey Shopping Park in Speke closed on January 14.
Another store on Steley Way at Prescot Cables Retail Park also closed on January 20.
Bacchus Taverna
Family-run Greek restaurant Bacchus Taverna announced its closure back in November.
The restaurant prided itself on serving "authentic Greek food" based on family recipes "passed down through the generations".
The restaurant on Waterloo Road was recently spotted boarded up with a sign on the door from the owner of Bacchus Taverna, Diamantis.
Diamantis has also written a personal message on the restaurant’s website announcing the permanent closure of the Bacchus Taverna.
The message said: “I am retiring and the restaurant is now closed. I would like to thank all my customers for their loyal support over the years.
“I’m sad to see the restaurant close but the time is right to move on. Best wishes, Diamantis.”
George’s Great British Kitchen
George's Great British Kitchen on Paradise Street announced its sudden closure back in September - with just one days’ notice.
The restaurant was known for serving up British favourites and gastro pub-style delights, which included George's stacked fish burger, slow roasted sticky pork bun and good old classic fish and chips with a twist.
Sharing the news, they wrote: “C L O S I N G D O W N. With a heavy heart we announce that we are closing our doors for the final time tomorrow night.
“We just want to thank all of our customers over the years who have supported us but its time for George to say goodnight.
“The new restaurant taking over will be a fantastic addition to this area of Liverpool - details to follow about who they are. So for now its goodbye x”.
The venue was taken over by Churrasco Streat House.
Tiny Rick’s
Tiny Rick’s cereal cafe, which is hidden among a small row of shop fronts on Smithdown Road , announced its closure in November.
The cafe was a haven for cereal and board game enthusiasts, offering a huge range of weird and wonderful cereals from around the world and more than 300 games for customers to choose from.
Tiny Rick’s owners Cliff and Poppy said they had reached “a stage where we can no longer sustain the cafe working together” following health issues.
The cafe closed at the end of November after an “amazing five years”, with the team adding that they’d miss “the smiles and wonder on peoples faces when they walked through the door”.
The Attic
One of Liverpool’s most-loved venues, The Attic bar , closed its doors after 10 years in business back in September.
Located on Parr Street above the iconic recording studios, the bar was a favourite among party-goers and was once rated the top bar in Liverpool on TripAdvisor.
Fans of the bar were left “gutted” with the news and took to social media to share their memories of the venue.
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