L1 8JQ
Coffee shop / café · Use class E(b) · Mid-market · 2,000 sq ft
City Centre North, Liverpool, North West
Average: proceed with care
Key figures
1. Executive summary
L1 8JQ is a busy city-centre location with excellent public transport and strong weekday trade from offices and shoppers. Footfall is solid through the day and peaks at lunchtime. The main challenge is competition: four coffee shops trade within 300m, including a national chain, so a new café will need a clear point of difference on product, speed or atmosphere.
Rents reflect the prime pitch. At the mid-point forecast the business covers its rent comfortably by year two, but margins are sensitive to staffing costs. Crime is above average for the area, mainly anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, which should be factored into insurance and fit-out.
2. Score breakdown 8 factors
4 competitors within 300m: high competition for this format.
Deprivation decile 6 of 10. Young, working-age catchment.
Busyness 56/100 from 13 businesses within 100m.
6 transport links within 800m, including a rail station.
High crime area: factor in security and insurance.
Low flood risk, no radon designation.
3. Competitors nearby
| Business | Type | Distance | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent café | Coffee shop | 60m | 4.4 ★ | 312 |
| National coffee chain | Coffee shop | 140m | 4.1 ★ | 1,048 |
| Bakery & coffee bar | Bakery café | 210m | 4.5 ★ | 426 |
| Speciality roastery | Coffee shop | 280m | 4.7 ★ | 189 |
Real reports name each business, with its address, live rating and review count.
4. Footfall & busy times
Estimated from live "popular times" of businesses around the site. Darker means busier.
5. Catchment demographics
| Measure | This area | UK average |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | £31,200 | £34,500 |
| Aged 20–44 | 52% | 33% |
| Social grade AB | 24% | 23% |
| Deprivation decile (10 = least deprived) | 6 | 5.5 |
6. Crime profile police.uk, last 3 months
7. Rent from VOA rateable values
Based on 86 commercial units in the L1 8 postcode sector, rateable values average £62 per sq ft. Adjusted to estimated market rent for a prime pitch (about £78 per sq ft), a 2,000 sq ft unit would cost around £156,000 a year (£3,000 a week). Confirm the asking rent with the letting agent.
8. Revenue & profitability forecast
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Steady state | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | £304,000 | £412,000 | £434,000 |
| Gross profit | £213,000 | £288,000 | £304,000 |
| Rent | £156,000 | £156,000 | £156,000 |
| Staff & other costs | £88,000 | £110,000 | £114,000 |
| EBITDA | –£31,000 | £22,000 | £34,000 |
Weekly sales range: low £6,000 · mid £8,350 · high £11,000. Add sales from your existing stores to calibrate the forecast to your business.
9. Planning, risks & next steps
Use class: E(b), food and drink mainly consumed on the premises. No change of use needed from most retail units in class E.
Risks: strong competition; rent at the top of the local range; above-average shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
Next steps: visit at 8am, 1pm and 5pm on a weekday and a Saturday; ask for 3 months rent-free; check the service charge and business rates bill; review the lease break clauses.