A tour of Liverpool in 2003 – how our city looked 20 years ago
A lot has changed in the past 30 years
It's now been 20 years since these fascinating photos capturing life in Liverpool were taken.
But today, they serve as a window to our past, from where we shopped to events we went to, how we dressed and more. A lot has changed in the world, and in our city itself in the last two decades.
And while the noughties doesn't feel that long ago, until you remember 2003 was the year Finding Nemo hit cinemas, singer Olivia Rodrigo was born and the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired. But these images, from our archives and beyond, are a window into Liverpool at the time – and as we say goodbye to 2023, we've decided to revisit these photographs of Liverpool 20 years ago.
READ MORE: 'Always packed' Liverpool basement bar that was 'the place to be'
READ MORE: 98 things you could do years ago in Liverpool that you can't do now
From student life, to landmarks, people going about their everyday lives, celebrity visits, events and more, 2003 was also the year Liverpool won the race to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
We previously took a look back at the city in 1973 and then toured Liverpool in 1983. and Liverpool in 1993. For a glimpse of what life was like in the city 20 years ago, here's 30 photos of Liverpool life in 2003 – you can see them in our gallery below.
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Paul McCartney concert at the Kings Dock in Liverpool, June 2003 from the Back in the World Tour
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A man waters the famous This Morning weather map in the Albert Dock 2003
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People leave after visiting "The Beatles Story Exhibition" June 4, 2003 in Liverpool
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Liverpool Cathedral is shown June 4, 2003 in Liverpool
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HRH The Prince of Wales walks off the HMS Bronington during his visit to Merseyside on March 10, 2003 at The Warship Preservation Trust in Liverpool
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The Duchess of York, patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust, gets a goodbye kiss from Roger Daltrey, of rock group The Who, at The Teenage Cancer Centre at Alder-Hey hospital in Liverpool, Tuesday November 11, 2003, where she opened a specially designed unit for treating teenagers with cancer
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HMS Invicible arrives in Liverpool and is moored alongside the Albert Dock, Liverpool, Wednesday April 30, 2003
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Sir Paul McCartney presents 19 year old Laura Andrew from Bebington on the Wirral with a Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet for being the 2 millionth person to see his Back in The World tour which ends in Liverpool. June 2 2003
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Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon, and pupils from John's former school Dovedale Primary sit inside the lounge of his childhood home 'Mendips', Thursday March 27, 2003
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A council worker carries a painting of John Lennon as the Mona Lisa past Liverpool's St George's Hall, Wednesday June 4, 2003, on the day Liverpool won the race to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008
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Tommy Steele with the statue of Eleanor Rigby in Stanley Street which he sculptured and donated to Liverpool taken in 2003
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Atomic kitten members Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon and Jenny Frost pictured outside the 2003 summer pops tent at the Kings Dock in Liverpool
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Beautiful Liverpool and shades of autumn in the Quarter restaurant in 2003
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General view of the concourse of Liverpool Lime Street Station, 2003
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An train stands at Liverpool Central platform waiting to return to Kirkby as passengers board after shopping in the city centre. November 2003
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A Southport – Hunts Cross service calls at Liverpool Central station to collect shoppers and shopping. November 2003
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Girlband CLEA pose at Radio City, November 28, 2003 in Liverpool.(L-R) Lynsey, Emma, Aimee, Chloe. All four entered the television show Popstars just missing out on the chance to be in Girls Aloud, so decided to form their own group CLEA
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A man walks past Albert Dock June 4, 2003 in Liverpool
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Lord Street, Liverpool L1, 2003 Cousins was a confectioner employing nearly 3,000
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Gary Noon who runs Mojo interiors from Quiggins School Lane, Liverpool in August 2003
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Quiggins restaurant in School Lane, Liverpool in September 2003
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Liverpool restaurants Don Pepe, Victoria Street, Liverpool – dated June 2003
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Shoppers wait for the Boxing Day sales to start in Church Street
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Mel C on stage in Williamson Square to switch on Liverpool Christmas lights 2003
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Actress Tiffany Chapman as Dorothy in Liverpool Neptune Theatre Christmas panto production of The Wizard of Oz in 2003
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Wayne Rooney, Everton footballer, starts off Palmerston School sponsored walk with some of the pupils. March 12, 2003
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Autumn leaves fall in Abercromby Square Liverpool in October 2003
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Student Matthew Stead, aged 20, from Liverpool, drinks a St George's Day cocktail from a half a yard of ale glass in the Cambridge pub in 2003
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