In the heart of Park Road looms the imposing, now-familiar Tesco building, its uniformity in stark contrast to the higgledy-piggledy array of independent stores which line the street - and have done for generations.
Back in 2011 the decision to open the new store was met with a flurry of local and national media interest, alongside muted enthusiasm from residents and hushed whispers of a potential boycott from some.
Tesco's arrival marked one of the biggest investments for decades in an area which has been hit with many setbacks and challenges down the years.
Eight years on, we visited to see the impact Tesco has had on Park Road, and on Toxteth and Dingle either side of it - and found residents and businesses on the road remain divided on the influence of the superstore.
Beauty business is booming
For Marie Furlong, the business owner of Q’Dos Hair and Beauty on Park Road, Tesco has broadened the appeal of the street.
The 46-year-old said: “I’d say when Tescos opened it brightened the road up a lot - made the area look much better."
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Q'Dos, which is characterised by its spotless white interiors and gleaming mirrors, stands out on the street.
Marie said: “I’ve had the salon now 19 years - we do everything - hair beauty, nails, makeup, holistic therapy - we do a wide range of stuff.
“When I opened up here, there were hardly any businesses on this road, on this block.
“It has up and come and I think most of the shops are taken now.”
She argued that Tesco has even integrated itself into the heart of the community, often helping small businesses like hers with charity events.
She added: “I will support Tesco - we do charities three times a year within the salon. We do two for Macmillan and we do an Alzheimer's day and Tesco always donate a prize for us.”
'Without Tesco, I wouldn't be here'
For other beauty salons on the road business is also booming.
Tucked away on the intersection between Park Road and Issac Road lies the glossy exterior of ‘The Beauty Room at Golden Rooms’.
The salon, which offers a multitude of services including waxing, spray tanning, manicures, has seen increased business since the arrival of the superstore.
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Joanne Binks, one of the employees there, said many of their new customers take advantage of the close proximity to Tesco, which is a stone's throw away.
She said: “They’ll (customers) park over there, do a little shop and then they will pop over here and do a little sunbed."
Khalid Alsanadi, from the Fixit.com Repair Centre, also argued that Tesco has been vital to the success of his business.
For the mobile, laptop and tablet repair store, which is stacked to the brim with a variety of phone cases, the arrival of Tesco brought with it a steady stream of customers.
The 48-year-old said: “I think it is good. Tesco has brought more people to the area.
“For me - without Tesco, I wouldn’t be here."
'People just come here to pay the bills'
However, for other small businesses, particularly sellers of confectionery, the arrival of Tesco suddenly forced them into unequal competition with the superstore.
Addul Gamoon, Owner of Mac’s Newsagents said: “It has affected our business - in a negative way.”
The convenience store sits just opposite its competitor, and is small and brightly lit, with its shelves heaving with an assortment of sweets, newspapers and small convenience items.
The 39-year-old, who lives just above his business, expressed his frustration.
He added: “Sometimes it gets you mad, you know.
“People will go and do their shopping over there and just come here just to pay bills."
Shocking video shows man smashing up Keith's Wine Bar before being rugby tackled to floorOne of the florists on the street echoed his sentiments.
Tanya Courtnage, 34, from the Blooming Flower Shop said: “As for florists - it’s not good because they (Tesco) sell the cheap bunches."
The store, which has been in business for around four decades, is filled with an abundance of colourful, delicately crafted flowers that fill it with an inviting fragrance.
Yet despite catering to a broad clientele, from corporate businesses to family weddings and funerals, according to Tanya, the presence of Tesco has placed some pressure on the business.
She said: “Someone can come in here and go ’ I want a five pound bunch’ - but it’s not physically possible for us to do a five pound bunch.
“We couldn’t even get them that cheap from the wholesaler.
“One rose here is £2.15 - you get 10 little tiny bullets for three pounds in there.”
'I prefer ASDA'
Other residents on the road argued the store is simply too expensive, leading to a detachment from the area and community it was designed to serve.
Jane Hayworth, who works with Marie Furlong, said: “I think a lot of people think Tesco is a bit too upmarket and too expensive.
“We did need something because it (the area) was run down”, the 50-year-old added.
“But I always thought it was the wrong store - we should have had an Asda or an Aldi”
Assistant Manager at Sayers, Mary Close, agreed.
The 61-year-old said: “They should lower some of the prices - they would probably get more people in, a lot of people have no money so people are shopping round."
'I'm made up about Tesco - it's handy'
Residents who spoke to the ECHO - and even business owners who were in direct competition with Tesco - all admitted that, in spite of their reservations, the sheer convenience of the store had turned them into regular shoppers.
Sarah Dale, 39, who has lived on the street for five years said: “I mostly use Tesco - I like to go when it's quiet - I go and get all my bits and bobs.”
Addul Gamoon also admitted that he “sometimes” went in to the store.
And Tanya Courtnage said: “On a personal level, I'm made up about Tesco - It’s handy.”
“I’ll go in and get the dog food before I go home."
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