‘This is our lives’, say under threat Liverpool Pier Head traders

Street traders who have operated two pitches on Liverpool’s Pier Head for more than 15 years have said they fear they could lose their livelihoods under new council plans.

Patsy Murphy and Harry Khanijau have operated a hot food stall and ice cream van next to the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal since 2009.

Liverpool City Council officials have proposed ending their permits from April next year because more tourist attractions and museums have been created in the area.

Ice-cream seller Harry Khanijau said: “This is our livelihoods, this is our lives.”

The 73-year-old added: “We run at a loss but we’re here on the bad days when nobody is around.

“It’s who we are, it’s more than an ice cream pitch.

“When we got these pitches, we were told to keep our prices affordable, we’ve done that.

“We did that to serve the people of Liverpool.”

His son Anthony said: “For us, this is about family.

“We’ve traded here for years, my children have been in the van with their grandad, my mother has.”