Everton must be the centre of attention in town too
THOSE who have walked around the city centre's new shopping area cannot have been anything other than impressed but, for Blues, there is a problem with Liverpool One - that it is Everton nil.
Sandwiched in between the myriad clothing boutiques and department stores is, to the chagrin of Evertonians, a Liverpool FC superstore which - given its location - will inevitably turn out to be a gold mine.
As money is the thing which makes the modern football world go round, like it or loathe it, it is imperative for clubs to explore every avenue and exploit every opportunity, to bring in as much revenue as they possibly can
Puzzling, then, that as the city centre's renaissance continues at pace, Everton - who have a history of which many other clubs can only dream - do not have any presence, other than in the corner of a JJB store inside St John's precinct.
Since the old club shop by Central Station closed down a couple of years ago, the only places locally that are dedicated solely to selling official merchandise are opposite Goodison Park and in Birkenhead town centre. That has to change.
Thanks to the efforts of David Moyes and his players, Everton's image has changed significantly for the better and now is the time to take advantage of that by making a play to attract a new generation of supporters.
But what chance have the Blues got of securing out of town support - which is just as important as the local element - if there is nothing to hook them when they visit Liverpool? The choice will be made easy for anyone who comes here without an affiliation but wants one.
What makes things worse is the amount of advertising around town and the surrounding areas promoting Liverpool's new kit yet, even though pictures of Mikel Arteta wearing Everton's latest ensemble are conspicuous by their absence from billboards.
No matter the time, no matter the occasion, seeing one of the chosen few wearing a Royal Blue shirt sparks a terrific sense of pride and after their exploits over the past 12 months, they deserve to be celebrated. That is something JJB and the club need to rectify.
The potential income a shop in the city centre could generate is massive and it is understood that plans are afoot to rectify the matter; hopefully, sooner rather than later, Everton will have a store of their own again in town.
Not so long ago, Everton were viewed as one of the most forward thinking clubs in the business. The Toffee Shop on Goodison Road in the 1970s was unique at the time, while the design of the megastore in 1994 was an equally smart idea.
Things, however, move on and surely the brouhaha that has erupted over the lack of presence in Liverpool One will kick things into gear. All being well, there will come a time when it will be Liverpool one Everton one.
dominicking@liverpoolecho.co.uk
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Delighted by the column Dominic!
This is something already raised and debated on www.bluekipper.com (forums) and on
The People's Club (on Facebook), and something as an ordinary Evertonian - I feel very strongly about.
One things for certain. There is a degree of unhappiness with the status quo regarding our lack of presence in the biggest and most prestigous retail development to come to Liverpool in the last 30 years.
If there is enough support brought about over on
The People's Club a group of Evertonians intend to make representation to the club.
Alternatively, we just hope EFC are reading your excellent and accurate columns and take action very soon, which could prove lucrative for the club's future, whilst improving the service to the fans locally and creating an equal level of media coverage for our great club. Both locally, nationally and to international visitors to Liverpool.
Read the article about Liverpool taking over "our" city with there shops etc and we're not doing anything about it - FollowEverton.com
Good article - just my thoughts
Dominic, good article, but one similar to what myself and many others have already wrote, mine being the day after liverpoolone opened, about our lack of presence bar a corner section of JJB, behind the liveprool section and this from a shop we have deals with to sell our merchandising!
I wrote that being a visitor that day, you would think everton didnt exist. Like yourself i also commented how if you weren't affiliated to a club, there was only one team you were going to support. my article is on bluekipper, toffeeweb and it was sent to everton as well. i have had "a" reply saying your email will be responded to soon! I await my response!
I totally agree. Ive posted on follow everton.com saying that its a must that we have a shop in town. Other than the market stall traders outside of St. Johns you would think that Everton FC dont exist! We cant let Liverpool get all the lime light so come on Kenwright an sort it out! This is one topic that i think Evertonians will all be united about
while i agree with the comments any vistor to liverpool from overseas will always buy merchendise from lfc store because the name and the fact they are more famous would everton store make enough money to stay open people may think this is harsh but its true