If you were an alternative kid growing up in Liverpool in the 90s and 00s then Quiggins will need no introduction.
Its location on the corner of School Lane in the city centre was THE meeting point for punks, goths, skaters, metalheads, ravers and anyone in between.
Filled with small independent businesses, Quiggins was much more than just a shopping destination.
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It was a hub for people to meet up, socialise and be free to wear whatever colour hair they thought fit.
Sadly, the shopping market closed its doors in 2006 after the building had been compulsorily purchased and taken over by Grosvenor for the Liverpool ONE development, despite a 100,000-signature petition to save it.
The redeveloped building was stripped of its independent, bric-a-brac aesthetic as it merged into the rest of the shopping complex.
A number of the shops set up in a new spot at Grand Central called Quiggins, however, many felt it just never had the same charm.
In 2018, the Quiggins area of Grand Central was closed and transformed into a Gaudi inspired-food hall.
When the market was forced to move from School Lane, people who loved the place felt the alternative community in the city never recovered from its loss.
Pixie, who started going to Quiggins in her teens, spoke to the ECHO about her fondest memories of the place.
Pixie, who asked to be referred to by her first name, said: "The café was the best meeting place. Even if you were early, you could get a drink, and just sit and read a magazine or a book until your friends arrived and you always felt like you could stay as long as you wanted.
"You'd always find something there that you needed, whether it was some incense, a new bright hair dye, a piece of jewellery, a new band t-shirt or a new outfit for a night out.
"The thing about Quiggins is that you always felt like you belonged - everyone was welcome. Whether you were a goth, a skater, a hippy or a punk, it felt like it was YOUR place."
Skippy, who was also in her teens when she discovered Quiggins describes what it was like on its final day.
She said: "We went on the last day it was open and it was such a sad day. We had lunch one last time in our spot in the café, chatted to people, listened to the jukebox and took one last look at the view.
"It was so hard as the whole place just felt emotional that day.
"The shops and traders were losing something special as much as we were, and our kids have done.
"It’s such a shame the powers that be decided to get rid of it as it was such a special place."
The ECHO has launched a new 8-page nostalgia section in print every Wednesday. You can order a copy here.
