A Liverpool artist has brought a former delicatessen back to life by turning it into an art gallery.
Joel Bird, of Calderstones, moved into the vacant building in Lark Lane at the start of May to exhibit his work.
The artist decided to keep the name Mad Hatters Delicatessen to pay tribute to a store he visited frequently when he was younger.
Joel said: "I really like the name of the shop, I wanted to keep it to incorporate the building's heritage and legacy.
"It's been shut for years and years, which is a shame because it's a brilliant building.
"It used to be a popular place where people could get their fruit and veg and on the other side of the shop was a delicatessen.
"I remember when I used to come and get sweets from here, so there is a bit of nostalgia in it for me."
And it is not just Joel who remembers the days when you could get your fresh fruit and veg from Mad Hatters.
Visitors to the gallery even recall the delicatessen's unique atmosphere.
Resident of Lark Lane, David Jones, said: "I used to come here all the time when I was younger. The fruit and veg was amazing, really fresh.
"I'm really happy that the building is in use again after all this time. The artist has managed to make good use of a unique space."
Joel, who also produces film music, says that his art is mainly influenced by Austrian expressionists from Vienna and his current work is inspired by painter Gustav Klimt.
"It was amazing to see the Klimt exhibition at the Tate in Liverpool last year. I found it inspirational and the themes certainly come through in my paintings."
He has to decide at the end of July whether to keep the exhibition going.
Joel added: "I want to get a group together to keep the gallery open and have a small cafe so people can come in and enjoy this beautiful building."
For more information on Joel's exhibition please call 07984 429884, email joelbird@joelbird.com or visit www.joelbird.com.
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