Liverpool Lime Street

[baldyman26]

Will Liverpool Lime Street ever get the concourse update it really needs?

It just looks really old and tired now, granted there are a few new retail units which seems to have taken an age to complete, which are still empty, Boots and WH Smith really need a refurb, the advertising boards are non digital and tatty, the train information boards outdated, the black mirrored concourse building is just ugly and the glass panes in the roof are no longer see through with dirt, oh and the toilets need a health warning.

It just seems with the likes of Piccadilly in Manchester there has been substantial investment.

A few cosmetic changes can give this station a boost, but it feels left behind for what is a magnificent building, and outside looks like a war zone with the smokers, rail staff protests and general filth. Liverpool can be a frustrating place at times.

 

[6Gman]

Will Liverpool Lime Street ever get the concourse update it really needs. It just looks really old and tired now, granted there are a few new retail units which seems to have taken an age to complete, which are still empty, Boots and WH Smith really need a refurb, the advertising boards are non digital and tatty, the train information boards outdated, the black mirrored concourse building is just ugly and the glass panes in the roof are no longer see through with dirt, oh and the toilets need a health warning. It just seems with the likes of Piccadilly in Manchester there has been substantial investment. A few cosmetic changes can give this station a boost, but it feels left behind for what is a magnificent building, and outside looks like a war zone with the smokers, rail staff protests and general filth. Liverpool can be a frustrating place at times.

What "rail staff protests"?

 

[Sorcerer]

Will Liverpool Lime Street ever get the concourse update it really needs. It just looks really old and tired now, granted there are a few new retail units which seems to have taken an age to complete, which are still empty, Boots and WH Smith really need a refurb, the advertising boards are non digital and tatty, the train information boards outdated, the black mirrored concourse building is just ugly and the glass panes in the roof are no longer see through with dirt, oh and the toilets need a health warning. It just seems with the likes of Piccadilly in Manchester there has been substantial investment. A few cosmetic changes can give this station a boost, but it feels left behind for what is a magnificent building, and outside looks like a war zone with the smokers, rail staff protests and general filth. Liverpool can be a frustrating place at times.

Everything you've said gives me the impression you've not visited the station in recent years. The station received upgrades from 2017-2018 including new platforms and refurbished existing ones, and the concourse is about on par with Manchester Piccadilly in my opinion even despite it's smaller size. But above all comparing the outside of the station to a warzone lost any shred of credibility you had left. I can assure you, it is not the least bit like that most days.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Everything you've said gives me the impression you've not visited the station in recent years. The station received upgrades from 2017-2018 including new platforms and refurbished existing ones, and the concourse is about on par with Manchester Piccadilly in my opinion even despite it's smaller size. But above all comparing the outside of the station to a warzone lost any shred of credibility you had left. I can assure you, it is not the least bit like that most days.

Well, quite, I think it's the best it's been. Particularly the view from the road with the ugly buildings removed (something that wasn't even the case when it was built!)

 

[Topological]

Lime Street is much better than it used to be. Scary to think the upgrades were almost 10 years ago though.

I agree that something could be done in the concourse, but there did not seem to be any need for change relative to many other stations around the network.

Piccadilly is a station I use more. It is getting tired and has been in its present form for more than 20 years.

 

[Djgr]

Lime Street is much better than it used to be. Scary to think the upgrades were almost 10 years ago though.

I agree that something could be done in the concourse, but there did not seem to be any need for change relative to many other stations around the network.

Piccadilly is a station I use more. It is getting tired and has been in its present form for more than 20 years.

Agreed.

One of the issues about retail actually being on the concourse is that there are multiple better options within five minutes walk.

 

[Bletchleyite]

One of the issues about retail actually being on the concourse is that there are multiple better options within five minutes walk.

I'm not sure that's an issue per-se. It's a convenience thing. I'm a big fan of M&S Food in any case - yes, you can walk to a full fat Marks with a bigger food hall but you don't have to!

 

[The exile]

Agreed.

One of the issues about retail actually being on the concourse is that there are multiple better options within five minutes walk.

If you want a real example of a retail semi-desert try spending any length of time at Bristol TM. Looks good post refurb (or will do when it’s finished) but everything else is sadly lacking.

 

[Topological]

If you want a real example of a retail semi-desert try spending any length of time at Bristol TM. Looks good post refurb (or will do when it’s finished) but everything else is sadly lacking.

There must be some hope that the development of the Temple Quarter will help. Bristol TM is a very depressing place to have to wait any length of time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you want a real example of a retail semi-desert try spending any length of time at Bristol TM. Looks good post refurb (or will do when it’s finished) but everything else is sadly lacking.

Agreed, Temple Meads' retail offering is woeful, and there's nothing nearby, either. Really need to repurpose one of the old trainsheds as a food concourse a la Leeds rather than just parking cars in it.

 

[frodshamfella]

I used Lime Street Station quite often. I find its ok, the glass roof allows plenty of light ( could do with a clean now, not sure how they do that however ! ) I noticed a couple of days a go there is a new concession in the centre of the concourse selling various different types of continental foods, which looked very interesting, and a change form the normal sandwich type snack for a journey .

 

[zwk500]

Agreed, Temple Meads' retail offering is woeful, and there's nothing nearby, either.

Underneath the ramp is Hart's bakery but it's not signed at all, then there's Sandwi and the pub at the bottom of the ramp, and the Gregg's and Spoons on Temple Square. However it's pretty poor fare, and although Victoria Street isn't miles away, it's further than you'd want to go if you were only changing trains.

Really need to repurpose one of the old trainsheds as a food concourse a la Leeds rather than just parking cars in it.

Agree. The current "concourse" area is tiny, the gateline is far too small and just really not fit for the number of people using it. The GWEP talked about moving the concourse into the old Brunel shed, and WECA recently made noises about it as well so maybe it's back on the table.

 

[Djgr]

I'm not sure that's an issue per-se. It's a convenience thing. I'm a big fan of M&S Food in any case - yes, you can walk to a full fat Marks with a bigger food hall but you don't have to!

Probably more for eating and drinking...and there is already an enormous Wetherspoons with an direct entrance from the station.

But there is also a Tesco and a Sainsburys two/three minutes away, for those not on an M&S budget.

 

[baldyman26]

Everything you've said gives me the impression you've not visited the station in recent years. The station received upgrades from 2017-2018 including new platforms and refurbished existing ones, and the concourse is about on par with Manchester Piccadilly in my opinion even despite it's smaller size. But above all comparing the outside of the station to a warzone lost any shred of credibility you had left. I can assure you, it is not the least bit like that most days.

Ok, so I use lime street quite often, the steps attract all sorts, drinking, smoking, an despite the bins there are fag ends and beer cans everywhere. Yesterday the RMT were outside handing out something, which ended up on the floor... Various homeless characters including one fella in a wheelchair that make themselves known and yet don't seem to be moved on. The toilets absolutely stink, the litter up Lord Nelson street is awful, with vomit leftovers there for nearly a week, then there is the random bin store opposite the crown pub that stinks, why it's there is anyone's guess. And granted the majority of that is on the council but what is essentially a spectacular gateway to the city can at times be vile. So my credibility isn't in question. It's a genuine query, should more be done to Lime Street. Yes the platform re-model was great, and still is, but more could be done and should be done.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd agree on the toilets, but in my experience there are only a few ways to prevent that misuse - put them inside the gateline (not feasible here) or charge for admission, or maybe allow scanning a ticket to enter.

 

[Llandudno]

Biggest issue outside Lime Street are all the hooded cyclists, e-bikes, electric scooters riding at speed on the paved areas..!

 

[KevinTurvey]

Biggest issue outside Lime Street are all the hooded cyclists, e-bikes, electric scooters riding at speed on the paved areas..!

Yes this is very annoying, grown men cycling on the pavement wherever you go nowadays and the police just ignore it. It really started during lockdowns and is endemic now, especially with the rise of Deliveroo and Just eat although its not just them, but these companies should be prosecuted as an example.

Also the smokers and vapers congregating by the ramped areas outside the middle entrance makes the place smell and look awful. Other than that I think the station is fine and much better than say Manchester Victoria.

One thing would be good to see a retail tenant in the old travel centre; building work seems to have been going on for years.

 

[styles]

I've always quite enjoyed visiting Lime Street in recent years. There's a reasonable selection of shops and eateries, it feels quite open given the space available, good signage, etc.

I haven't used the toilets to comment, though in general since Network Rail made their toilets free to use (which I totally agree with), they have needed more maintenance I'd say. Maybe just more staffing needed. People being antisocial outside is I suppose quite tricky without a whole redesign, but it's also common at other central large city stations tbh. I agree with @KevinTurvey that the delivery riders are the worst offenders, mainly because they're paid per delivery rather than per hour because they're "self-employed contractors" (yeah, right). It's a problem in large cities the country over unfortunately.

 

[irish_rail]

If you want a real example of a retail semi-desert try spending any length of time at Bristol TM. Looks good post refurb (or will do when it’s finished) but everything else is sadly lacking.

Absolutely. And I'd add Plymouth to that too, a really woeful station, with virtually no retail offering and set well away from city centre. Using Lime St is generally a pleasure in my opinion, a very fine station.

 

[Bevan Price]

The roof was cleaned several years ago. But unless you can stop pigeons & gulls depositing their sh*t on it, it will always atart to look dirty after a few years.
And I find the male urinals are quite satisfactory.
Unlike many other stations, there is plenty of seating on the concourse.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Maybe if funding comes through for the gatelines for platforms 6-10, there could be motivation for a bit of a spruce up, though probably nothing major.

Yes toilets are rank, as can be seen at many stations, and yes there are often day drinkers and smokers at the top of the stairs, but it's really not that bad.

 

[iamraymond]

Liverpool don't just look after things, see world heritage site performance

 

[Bletchleyite]

Liverpool don't just look after things, see world heritage site performance

That was about it hindering progress and was absolutely the right decision, and I don't know a single Scouser who disagrees with it.

 

[The exile]

The roof was cleaned several years ago. But unless you can stop pigeons & gulls depositing their sh*t on it, it will always atart to look dirty after a few years.

There are such things as automated window cleaning devices than can be installed on trainshed roofs (I remember reading about one being installed during a refurbishment in Germany somewhere) - though obviously it will depend on the design. Others can be done with humans wielding window-cleaning hose-poles (seen it being done at Temple Meads within the last month)

 

[Djgr]

That was about it hindering progress and was absolutely the right decision, and I don't know a single Scouser who disagrees with it.

Agreed. Absolutely the right decision

Can I just add that the vast majority of people on the "ramped area" are not drinking nor acting in an anti-social manner but simply relaxing.

 

[pr1]

The main concourse departure screens now look very retro in this age of "stay/prepare/platform" indicator styles. I imagine that there's not enough money around to upgrade them.

The toilets are a bit.... funky. Again, upgrading must be a case of funding.

Those two points aside, I don't think that Lime Street is  so bad. It's very open, a breeze to get around, I rarely see trouble.

 

[Sorcerer]

Can I just add that the vast majority of people on the "ramped area" are not drinking nor acting in an anti-social manner but simply relaxing.

This is very true. Considering that smoking isn't permitted inside the station the only option for smokers about to embark on a potential two-hour journey is outside the concourse near the bins. It's a natural smoking area, and most of the time I don't see much issues whenever I visit the station. If I'm in the city centre I always end up passing by and it's no worse than any other terminus that I've been to.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Liverpool don't just look after things, see world heritage site performance

That was about it hindering progress and was absolutely the right decision, and I don't know a single Scouser who disagrees with it.

The UNESCO decision was clearly political, nothing else. The way UNESCO carried on, you'd think they were about to demolish the Liver Building. It was even more weird when you think they didn't have any objection previously to the architectural abominations they plonked on Mann Island.

I don't like the plans for Liverpool Waters- too many nondescript tower blocks which could be anywhere- and I don't like Peel Holdings. But I don't see how anyone can look at Everton's new stadium and think it has made the area worse.

Anyway.

I don't recognise the OP's description of Lime Street. One feature of Google StreetView is being able to go back in time, and this was the view of Lime Street's frontage in 2008:



Whatever the current issues, at least it doesn't look like that anymore!

 

[frodshamfella]

The UNESCO decision was clearly political, nothing else. The way UNESCO carried on, you'd think they were about to demolish the Liver Building. It was even more weird when you think they didn't have any objection previously to the architectural abominations they plonked on Mann Island.

I don't like the plans for Liverpool Waters- too many nondescript tower blocks which could be anywhere- and I don't like Peel Holdings. But I don't see how anyone can look at Everton's new stadium and think it has made the area worse.

Anyway.

I don't recognise the OP's description of Lime Street. One feature of Google StreetView is being able to go back in time, and this was the view of Lime Street's frontage in 2008:
View attachment 203370
View attachment 203369

Whatever the current issues, at least it doesn't look like that anymore!

Totally agree, UNESCO objection to the new stadium was absolutely ridiculous. The siting of the stadium by the river I think looks fantastic

 

[Djgr]

Totally agree, UNESCO objection to the new stadium was absolutely ridiculous. The siting of the stadium by the river I think looks fantastic

Indeed. Clearly there are many stunning historical buildings in Liverpool (famously more Georgian buildings than Bath), but it would be crazy to preserve dereliction between the City Centre and Everton's new stadium.

As it happened, last Sunday I walked up from the Pier Head to the new Isle of Man ferry terminal. There is clearly a lot of new development going up and certainly better than the cluster of Manchester skyscrapers.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2026 ==

This is very true. Considering that smoking isn't permitted inside the station the only option for smokers about to embark on a potential two-hour journey is outside the concourse near the bins. It's a natural smoking area, and most of the time I don't see much issues whenever I visit the station. If I'm in the city centre I always end up passing by and it's no worse than any other terminus that I've been to.

A key design feature for the new steps was that it would be an open space for people to hang out. And that's what they are doing...which sounds like a win to me.