The ex-football player was part of the talent involved in launching a new flagship store in the city centre
John Barnes at the new Sports Direct in Liverpool city centre
John Barnes at the new Sports Direct in Liverpool city centre
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Former Liverpool star and England hero John Barnes claimed “those days are behind me” as he celebrated the opening of Sports Direct. The former winger, who capped 79 times for the Three Lions, was at the opening of the new flagship store today, on Friday, October 17.
He was among the football talent who turned up to celebrate the brand leaving Liverpool ONE and taking over the former M&S building on Church Street. Along with John, Everton’s England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Courtney Brosnan, Toni Payne and Maz Pacheco were also in attendance during the launch.
The new Sports Direct store is made up over three floors and occupies 90,000 sq. ft of space. Relocating from its previous site where it had been since 2008, the new Sports Direct store offers an upgraded retail experience.
Ahead of the opening, the ECHO caught up with John to see what he thought of the store. He said: “We are here to celebrate all things sport cultural and music.
The new Sports Direct shop has equipment for all different sports available to buy
The new Sports Direct shop has equipment for all different sports available to buy
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"It’s wonderful to see all the Liverpool shirts. Jordan Pickford was here yesterday, and so there was a sea of blue right in front of me.
“But listen, it’s a city of sport, of course, but it’s not just about the teams. This store is huge, it has got a gym at the top, and you can have coffee, it’s more about the experience. It’s great to see it.”
Barnes showed off his rapping skills on Liverpool's 1988 hit the Anfield Rap and England's 1990 collaboration with New Order, World in Motion. Asked if he had a rap prepared for today, following his stint in the 1990 FIFA World Cup campaign, to hype shoppers up, he said: “I’m 61 now, my rapping days are over, but I’m sure if Jay-Z wants to come and make an album, I can do something.”
Inside the new Sports Direct shop in Liverpool city centre
Inside the new Sports Direct shop in Liverpool city centre
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Across men's, women's and children's wear, the store features the biggest names in global sport, as well as brands from Frasers Group’s ecosystem including USC for premium lifestyle and denim brands, GAME for the latest in gaming, and Evans Go for cycling enthusiasts.
The store brings together leading sportswear giants such as Nike, adidas, Under Armour, ASICS, On, and PUMA, alongside contemporary brands C.P. Company, HUGO, Levi’s, New Balance and Paul Smith.
Inside the new Everlast gym above Sports Direct in Liverpool city centre
Inside the new Everlast gym above Sports Direct in Liverpool city centre
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Each floor is zoned by sport and training type, allowing customers to navigate with ease and shop by their specific interests – from running, football and swimming to outdoor adventure and racket sports.
Occupying the entire third floor, Everlast Gyms+ Liverpool offers a hybrid gym experience. The gym will have a HYROX performance centre - said to be a first-of-its-kind in the UK - and a reformer Pilates studio.
It also has an exclusive recovery suite featuring Brass Monkey ice baths, herbal and dry salt saunas, and a modern, elevated space for post-training reset.