Take a look inside South Liverpool’s stunning new venue ‘Twenty’

A historic South Liverpool building has been given a stunning new lease of life as brand-new lifestyle venue twenty prepares to open its doors this weekend.

Founded by Laura McCumiskey and Anna Forster, twenty officially opens to the public on Saturday 16 May, bringing together food, drink, floristry and independent retail all under one roof.

The launch event marked the end of an 18-month renovation project, which has seen the historic 1930s building transformed into a brand-new lifestyle destination focused on hospitality, independent shopping and community.

Guests at the preview event enjoyed food, drinks and floristry demonstrations, while one standout feature quickly became the talk of the night the venue’s brand-new wine window, complete with a bell for customers to ring while collecting drinks in the sunshine.

Open from 8.30am until late, twenty promises what founders describe as a more immersive experience than traditional retail, with carefully selected natural wines, seasonal small plates, year-round floristry and a rotating mix of independent brands.

Co-founder Laura McCumiskey, who also runs Laura’s Deli & Wine in Mossley Hill, said the aim was to create something that gives people a reason to spend time on the high street again.

She said: “For us, it’s about moving from transaction to connection. If you want people to come back to the high street, you have to give them a reason to stay.”

Laura says the idea came from wanting to support independent businesses while creating something experience-led for the community.

Meanwhile co-founder Anna Forster, founder of Mary Mary Florals, says bringing floristry into the venue was always part of the vision.

She said: “When something is made with care, people feel it straight away, that’s what we’re building here, something that feels real and connected.”

Twenty sits inside the former Liverpool Savings Bank, later a TSB branch, a building that has stood on Smithdown Place for more than 90 years and is even linked to Liverpool music history, forming part of the area referenced in Penny Lane written by Paul McCartney in 1966.

The renovation itself came with challenges, thanks to the building’s former life as a bank – and its striking circular layout.

Ahead of opening, the team invited locals to share memories of the building on social media, uncovering stories spanning generations, from first bank accounts to childhood visits.

One local resident said: “We just want to say thank you for bringing something lovely to the area, maintaining the heritage of the building and taking pride in our area.”

Looking ahead, twenty plans to host workshops, flower markets, tastings, panel talks and live music events, creating a space founders hope becomes a real community hub for South Liverpool.

Twenty officially opens on Saturday 16 May.

 Find out more at twenty lifestyle venue.

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