Living in easy Reach of the city

Jan 3 2008 by Debbie Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

Debbie Johnson meets an entrepreneur in his open-plan apartment

DAVID WRIGHT moved back up to Liverpool after spending years away as a student and working.

Originally from Heswall, the 32-year-old now lives in The Reach, in Leeds Street – a development that is popular with young professionals looking for good quality homes near the city centre.

When he first moved in, he was sharing the two-bedroomed apartment with a friend, Therese.

He says: “We hardly knew each other, but we ended up going out with each other, so that’s made this place even more special for us.”

Therese is from Sweden and works for shipping from ACL in Liverpool – hence the models and pictures of boats that are to be found throughout the apartment.

David, meanwhile, started his own business a year ago, called Interesting Imports, which has gone from strength to strength.

He says: “We import and export interesting items. One of my favourites is the pasta shapes – it’s a gourmet food product, but it comes in really fun styles, like snowman pasta for Christmas, and all different shapes for different events and times. We are really excited about a new product called VIBE Energy which we will be launching in Liverpool next year – it’s a chewing gum, and there are some other related products, but each one is like a can of Red Bull.

“Running your own business does require a good idea, but it also requires huge amounts of hard work.”

David’s home at The Reach puts him within easy access of the city’s financial district, and Lime Street station. He does, though, have a bit more of a hike to his office, which is based by Cain’s Brewery: “You can smell the hops in the air!”

The apartment has a large open- plan living and dining area with beautiful high-sheen wooden flooring. The couple have a large dining table, and comfy chairs and sofas to relax on. There are also lots of candles instead of the usual lamps – the different sizes and shades give the apartment a unique ambience.

The lounge, painted in neutral tones, also has large glass doors leading out on to a balcony, with panoramic views of the city.

David’s kitchen features white units and appliances, and opens up onto the dining and living area.

The two bedrooms are used as a master and as a smaller study. Painted in creams and browns, the bedroom is brightened up by a large mirror surrounded by glittering lights, and vivid bed linens.

The apartment is also home to Miss Miaow – the couple’s very cute black and white kitten.

David says: “Having a cat makes it all feel very homely when you come back from work.”

Before long, David plans to move another addition in – his piano. He says: “They are quite heavy and cumbersome items to move, but again it’s one of those things that will make a place feel like my home.”

He says The Reach offers a perfect combination of convenience and style: “It’s a great location, and the apartments are modern, well-built and nice-looking.

“The building is always really clean and well-looked after, and there is a nice community here, mainly of young professionals, many of whom are at similar stages in their lives.”