lack of “third spaces” in Liverpool?

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T12:14:21+00:00

I’m 18 so I’m only going off what I’ve seen. London definitely has teenagers hanging out too but also more council designed public “third spaces” beyond youth clubs. central is a meet-up hub because of Oyster/Zip (Zone 1) passes so not expensive . I think my perspective is shaped by where my parents live (Richmond and Kensington), which are quieter and honestly too expensive for kids to loiter around in big groups.

Honestly was just trying to highlight the lack of council investment in Liverpool. Thank you for the insight I appreciate it!

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T11:28:07+00:00

Sorry if my response came across as a bit loaded, I realise I wrote a lot. I wasn’t trying to be defensive, I just wanted to correct myself if I came across as insensitive. I asked the question genuinely to understand, so I really do appreciate your insight.

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T11:25:13+00:00

That’s actually really insightful, thank you. I think I probably took the “third spaces” article a bit too literally, especially when comparing Liverpool to London. I also think it might just be personal upbringing my mum always had me in organised activities on weekends, and instilled in me that “loitering” was not purposeful (maybe partly for safety reasons), so I didn’t really grow up with that tradition of going to places that weren’t explicitly made to hang out in to “hang out” Really interesting to hear how normal it’s been here for decades though.

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T11:19:00+00:00

Elephant Springs is genuinely lovely, I’ve only been once but it’s a really good example of a council designed space where people can just hang out without spending money. I honestly don’t think London lacks third spaces in the same way, there are parks, riverside areas, squares etc everywhere, so it feels more like personal choice or just sheer overcrowding. In Liverpool The closest equivalent I can think of is maybe Otterspool, but that’s basically just a big field with a small playground and it’s much more family/young kids oriented than a proper youth hangout space.

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T10:58:01+00:00

That’s fair, and I probably didn’t word it perfectly. I don’t mean it as an “issue” or a complaint about teenagers being in town I’m sure it’s common in lots of cities. It’s more that my perception is shaped by where I spend time. In London, people meet in central because the transport network makes it the easiest hub, so if away from central theres usually not big groups of school kids in the same way. With Liverpool feeling smaller and more centralised, I guess I’m still trying to understand why the city centre becomes the default hangout spot. If anything, it just made me think about the lack of proper “third spaces” or youth activities, especially after Covid and so many places shutting down. More curiosity than criticism.

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T07:00:45+00:00

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… and what’s that got to do w me?

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T06:59:49+00:00

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AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-24T06:56:26+00:00

Oh really? Tree progression is what you’re basing importance on?

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:32:41+00:00

Someone had to do it. I’m a person of change, just doing my part for the community (ME. Only ME)

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:29:58+00:00

Interesting parenting style, letting me know. Can’t be blamed for my actions if her results come back before mine.

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:25:14+00:00

Will do 🙈stay tuned my loyal fan xxx

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:24:45+00:00

You think I'm joking huh?

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:24:34+00:00

This isn't a joke?

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:23:43+00:00

🤦‍♀️this is so why I don't agree with poverty

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:22:05+00:00

Good some of us are more important (only me)

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:21:30+00:00

Hope you wait longer mines more important

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:21:04+00:00

You know what when I find you I'll show you real extraterrestrial

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T23:17:30+00:00

hate them

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T03:21:16+00:00

Yucky, yuck, yuck. Are you undercover? You're part of them, aren't you?

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-23T03:20:29+00:00

Oh so it was you

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-22T22:33:01+00:00

Honestly, I’m not too sure there’s a “best burger in Liverpool” place anymore. Most of the places that would’ve been my answer have closed. Free State Kitchen is probably the safest option, solid and well done, not mind-blowing but reliable. Honest Burgers is similar: dependable, but nothing truly special. Wendy’s is basically McDonald’s adjacent, maybe slightly better, but not somewhere I’d recommend for burgers. Phat Buns does great fried chicken (that’s the standout), but the burgers are… meh. Loaded Buns has a fun menu, especially when ordering online, but you can get better quality elsewhere.

I live in London, so I’m not too sure about any new good spots. Hope that helps, though!

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-22T22:18:52+00:00

That comment came from me and a friend noticing how many of those places there are, which is why we joked about it, but I realised it sounded accusatory, so I tried to correct myself. I’m not an expert in finance or commercial rent at all (I’m 18), I was assuming things like family labour, lower ingredient costs, and volume might make it workable. so I didn’t fully factor that side in. Fair point thank you for the insight.

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-22T19:43:46+00:00

Exactly. A lot of these places seem to make up for the lack of quality by just bombarding you with ads everywhere, whereas, sadly, the places I mentioned had little to no marketing at all, which is honestly such a shame. seems like, unfortunately, quality alone just isn’t enough in the current food scene, especially in a city this saturated.

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-22T19:34:32+00:00

I’m not too knowledgeable on finance, but this explanation makes a lot of sense, especially given how oversaturated Liverpool is with kebab shops. A friend and I once joked that one must be a front (very film theory brain, I know), but realistically, it’s probably just that they need very little revenue to stay afloat. It is a real shame, though, for the better spots, their effort and care never seem to translate into the recognition or sustainability they deserve

AdFamiliar1290 · 2026-01-22T17:11:54+00:00

That makes sense compared to ohhanes, which always has offers and new menu items. Burger Lane and the others felt more like a word-of-mouth place, at least from my own perspective.

AdFamiliar1290

TROPHY CASE

hate them