Bluecoat Display Centre

The Bluecoat Display centre is a lovely addition to the Liverpool city centre scene.
We originally visited on my 2013 birthday trip to the city, then again recently — both times we were surprised just at how close to Liverpool One is it, making it a perfect compromise if you’re in a group/​pairing where one person is edging towards the shops and the other culture.
On this occasion, we popped into the main gallery space, which can be found through the café, and took a look at the ‘proper’ art. After a while upstairs, we went back through the lovely gardens (keep your eyes open for the different installations hidden within the greenery) and into the shop.
We were actually visiting to have a look at the Cleo Mussi exhibit, which was situated at the back of the shop. It’s a very light and airy space, meaning everything is well beautifully displayed and clearly lit. That’s if you want to see the £3000 price tag on some of the items…
I thought postcards would be a happy compromise — we were served by lovely people and went on our way, happy to have revisited this space.

The Bluecoat Display Centre is more than simply a gallery to present some beautiful arts and crafts items but a centre for people to buy these items.
The BDC bills itself as a haven for contemporary craft and design and these items are, after all, created for functional use in mind. Of course they are still unique items, created not with daily wear and tear in mind but saved for special occassions or to be kept behind lock and key in a display cabinet just where the inlaws can see them.
Of course, being part of the new, modern Bluecoat many of these items can be viewed online and even purchased from the comfort of your own home.

21. This is a great little shop, very arty and quirky, and unfortunately, very expensive!
They sell a range of items, from small and large sculpted pieces, to pictures and plates and decorative ornaments.
One particular item that I fell in love with about a year ago was a wooden octopus, which was made so perfectly, I wanted it even though I really had no use for it other than sticking it on the mantle piece. So I turned over the price tag, to find that it cost nearly £800!
If you’re into your art and you can afford to shell out on one off pieces of fantastic design and craftsmanship, this is definitely the place for you. Alternatively this is also the place if you’re looking for a unique gift for a special someone.
After you’ve spend this month’s mortgage on an item, you can relax with a coffee in the courtyard and work out how far you could have travelled for the same price!

In contrast to the candy striped walls and myriads of bright colours in Purlesque, the Display Centre at the Bluecoat is a stylish shop with white walls and lots of natural light. Accessed through the Bluecoat’s courtyard garden or the entrance on College Lane, it’s an exhibition space as well as a shop with 10 – 12 different shows each year.
In keeping with founder Robert Gardner-Medwin’s original aims, the Display Centre displays and sells the work of leading designers, artists and craft makers. There’s some beautiful ceramics, pottery and sculptures alongside cool and functional glassware, metalwork and home décor like cushions. I quite liked the blue and white striped ceramics, silver jewellery and silk scarves but it was David Mellor’s playful cutlery that captured my imagination the most.