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Shopping
Utility open brand new show room in the Baltic Triangle
3 months ago
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Utility, Liverpool’s premier independent design store, has announced the opening of its brand new showroom in the Baltic Triangle.
Utility has become an integral part of Liverpool’s shopping scene ever since they opened their first store on Bold Street in 1999.
Believe it or not, the Utility story begins with a coffee shop. In 1999, before the arrival of big national chains in Liverpool, founders Richard, Dick, and Kate were busy brewing coffee and making sandwiches for the locals at their Bold Street café, Coffee Union.
A chance conversation with their landlord led to an offer for another store, just two doors down from the café. This store would become the first Utility.
Richard, Kate, and Dick threw caution to the wind. They decorated the shop themselves, had custom fittings made, printed bags, and maxed out their credit cards to stock the new store.
![Credit: Utility](https://theguideliverpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-4-e1717512302789.jpg)
Then on 4 November, 1999, Utility opened with an experimental range of products from both independent designers and larger brands. With Christmas on the horizon, the gamble paid off!
Utility’s move to the Baltic Triangle aligns perfectly with the area’s reputation as a thriving cultural and creative quarter.
The venue is dedicated to showcasing leading European design brands in furniture, lighting, and home accessories within a beautifully converted Victorian building.
![Credit: Utility](https://theguideliverpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-3-1-e1717512291802.jpg)
Richard Skelton, Co-founder of Utility, said:
“Since we closed our Bold Street showroom in 2019, we’ve been desperate for new premises. Being able to buy the building was a huge bonus and enabled us to create a space tailored to our exact needs.
“As well as being a home for all our key brands, it’s also the office for our digital team and a space for the architect and design community to engage, discuss project requirements with our contract team and hold product launches. This makes it an integral part of Liverpool’s design landscape.”
![Credit: Utility](https://theguideliverpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-2-1-e1717512245329.jpg)
This relocation reinforces Utility’s commitment to innovation and design excellence, making the new showroom a beacon for contemporary European design.
The immersive space offers an unparalleled experience for customers and professionals alike, providing a firsthand look at the latest trends and designs in homeware and interiors.
The venue is equipped to host various events, including product launches and project discussions, solidifying its role as a cornerstone in the city’s creative scene.
The showroom is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Sunday by appointment.
The showroom is located at The Flint, 2 Flint Street, Liverpool, L1 0DH.