It’s been creeping back onto our boutiques’ shelves for a few years now, championed especially in Cricket and Boudoir Boutique in Cavern Walks, and in vintage shops such as Little Red Vintage on Bold Street. Is there a place for fur in fashion? Or would you like to see a fur free Liverpool?

SevenStreets thinks the use of fur, for fashion, is inexcusable. We called Justine Mills, Cricket’s owner. Why, we asked, does she buy - and sell - fur and continue to support this inhumane industry?

“No comment.”

Are you, we wondered, stocking fur this winter? “No comment.”

Hardly a ringing endorsement, is it? Hardly a passionate show of support for her stock? Odd, that the most exposure-hungry fashion brand in the city suddenly gets so coy, so lost for words. We suppose it’s not the type of question she’s asked from The Echo.

We tell her we know she’s selling fur. We’ve seen it. “So why are you asking me, then?” she says, before slamming the receiver down.

If you’re, like us, of the opinion that there really is no need for this barbaric industry, you’ll be interested in visiting the Liverpool Social Centre tomorrow (Friday 19). A leading anti fur campaigner from Norway will be leading a workshop and discussion about a recent expose about the truth behind the fur trade over there (from where we get a good deal of our furs). 85% percent of the fur industry’s skins come from animals living captive in fur factory farms, with animals kept in cramped ‘battery’ cages for their entire lives. Worth the suffering for a chinchilla collar that’ll be so last season, er, next season? No, we thought not.

The event is well timed - as shops are beginning to stock up with their winter ranges, trimmed with the latest must-have animal furs.

Liverpool is, rightly, praised for its individual, esoteric and refreshing take on fashion. Let’s show the rest of them that, when it comes to animal furs, we don’t follow the pack.

If only Cricket took a stand - like committed anti-fur campaigner Leona Lewis has - against this anachronistic, and unnecessary practise. Imagine how strong a signal that would give - how influential that would be.

We phone back, and suggest it to them.

“No comment.”

Anti Fur Trade meeting
Liverpool Social Centre, Bold Street