An intriguing visit to Waterloo in Merseyside left one reporter “impressed” with what the area had to offer as he spoke to kind and friendly residents during his trip.
Mid-December this year, reporter Jamie Greer set out on a mini adventure on a short 15-minute train ride from Moorfields to Waterloo. This is because the Sunday Times had listed Liverpool as the best place to live in the northwest in March and singled out Waterloo as one of Merseyside’s “best districts”.
The study cited Waterloo’s bustling array of independent shops on South Road and St John’s Road, as well as its excellent transport links. Mr Greer reported in the Liverpool Echo that many residents were unaware of Waterloo’s accolade, but had agreed with the reasoning.
Speaking to workers and shoppers in a local charity shop – the Plaza Community Cinema Support Shop, they praised the area which is home to several restaurants, a butchers, and a florist.
They cited the charity shop raises money for the Plaza Cinema on Crosby Road North that is run by volunteers and offers discounted film tickets as well as a film education programme to schools.
Jeannette Molyneux, a 51-year-old from Crosby who works at the shop, said: “There’s been a cinema there since 1939. It opened and closed on the same day when World War Two started.
“All the money goes round there. That’s why we get a lot of good donations – we know where the money is going too.”
Judy said: “It’s a lovely place really. A lot of the houses have the original fireplaces.
“And you have the beach. There are four or five parks. All the schools are rated good. There are good bus and train services too.”
Some residents felt Waterloo was “in the shadow of Crosby” whereas others felt the areas complemented each other in a number of ways.
Liam Riley, a 42 year-old who owns The Old Tap pub on Crosby Road North said: “The more the merrier, really. The more things that attract people to the area, the more all of these independent businesses benefit from it.”
With Crosby Beach at one end of Waterloo, and the community-led cinema at the other, it is becoming a “go-to” destination as reported in local guides.
Despite “living in Merseyside for so long” the reporter declared there was much of the area to explore, but he was “fortunate” to get a glimpse into a “unique area”.
