The city declares war on HMOs

Dear readers — something a bit different today. Abi is busy parasailing away from a villain’s aquatic lair as part of her new life, Laurence is doing whatever mysterious activity he does when he has a day off, which means for today’s newsletter we’ve had to go all the way down the list of possible writers (believe me: we’ve asked everyone) and you’re left with the dregs. That’s me (Jack), very sorry about this.

That means a few things, chief among that today’s briefing shall be as the name suggests: brief. As well as brief, it will also be shameless. Most of today’s news items are things I think The Post should cover at greater length in the near future, so I’m using this to try and draw in your takes and tips in the comments (or, if you want to keep things discreet, email me). It’s basically a recce of sorts for our schedule, please oblige.

And a quick reminder! Dave’s piece about his dalliance with stardom, as a Half Man Half Biscuit, was one of my favourites we’ve published this year. If you haven’t read it yet, and only have time to read one thing this morning, honestly sack this briefing off. Here’s one of many lovely comments/premonitions:

This piece was just as brilliant as I hoped it would be. Thanks David. Will keep an eye out for you making a Tap-esque guest appearance at the next HMHB gig for an encore of The Len Ganley Stance. ‘David is back on keyboards’!

Your (oh so brief) briefing

Since the split of That Band some 50-odd years ago, Liverpool has been searching for something to claim capital city status of. Newcastle has sausage rolls, Thanet (from where I hail) has oversized Wetherspoons. But what about us? Well we might have swapped world-renowned pop for… houses of multiple occupation. This recent Times (£) piece, about a national fightback against HMOs by local communities has a really interesting stat: “Over the past decade, Liverpool has recorded the biggest increase in HMOs of any local authority”. The city has gone from just under 5,000 HMOs in 2016, to 16,494 last year. We have 32.5 HMOs per thousand people. way above the UK average of 7.9, and only behind London boroughs Kensington & Chelsea and Camden. If this spells trouble to you, you might be put at ease by the city’s recent declaration of “war” on the accommodation model, with councillor Nick Small telling a meeting the proliferation needed to be carefully managed. 

If this is a big issue where you are (or if you wish to mount a gallant defence of the much-maligned HMO), please comment, or email in to editor@livpost.co.uk; it’s something we’re keen to cover in greater depth very soon.  

Twenty Questions: We’d also like to know what exactly is going on with Smithdown Road’s Twenty Cafe, the subject of much rumour in recent weeks, after it mysteriously closed not long after opening earlier this year, only to announce a few weeks back it was reopening again. A few of you have been in touch about this, but we’re keen to speak to more. Get in touch.

In Beloved Thing Not Being How It Used To Be news, Lark Lane is having its reputation dragged through the mud on the internet (here). Complaints range from an influencer influx, cocaine use somehow even more excessive than everywhere else in the country, independents moving on, etc. Standard stuff, really. This is always a slightly tough one to approach without being dragged into complaining for complaining’s sake, but we would like Post readers to weigh in here. Has the Lane become too druggy? Is it become a caricature of itself? Has it lost its edge? Or should we all be a little more grateful? Please comment. 

Let’s end with a cheers! The Caledonia pub, closed since March 2025 and ever-since the subject of dark rumour that it might be turned into a hotel, might actually be turned back into a pub after new proposals were submitted. But what would you like to see? A pub? A club? An HMO? Let us know. 

Home of the week

If you’ve always desired to live in a two bedroom flat at 6 Aigburth Drive and have £250,000 to spend, then this seems like it might be of interest. 

What should I do?

🎭 Take a trip to Bebington for a performance of As You Like It this Wednesday. As if Shakespeare in the sun-drenched Claremont Outdoor Theatre isn’t appealing enough, any funds raised will support Shelter Merseyside. Grab your ticket here, and don’t forget to bring a chair. 

📽️ Tape Trove Film Club are hosting a VHS screening of the legendary film Monty Python and the Holy Grail at artefact on Wednesday. Bring your name, your quest, and your QR code purchasable here.

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