Nov 15 2007
MULTI-MILLION pound plans to refurbish Liverpool's largest shopping centres are about to take a major step forward.
Discussions are taking place between Liverpool City Council and Land Securities, owners of the St John's shopping centre, about the planned refurbishment, first revealed by the Daily Post last year.
The Council’s Executive Board will be asked next week to authorise discussions between the council and Land Securities about the shopping centre and endorse the relocation of St John’s Market to a new state of the art facility as part of the refurbished centre
They will also approve a lease to allow the construction of a media wall to screen the facade of the centre from Lime Street Station which is designed to provide a welcome statement to visitors to Liverpool during the Capital of Culture year and beyond
A report about the negotiations will be considered by the Board on November 23.
Land Securities is aiming to start the refurbishment in early 2009 with the market moving in 2010. The space currently occupied by the market would be used for new shopping units, food court and a double-height mall. The centre as a whole will be comprehensively refurbished to provide a modern environment for Liverpool’s shoppers.
Cllr Mike Storey, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “With the Liverpool One development about to open it is important that we ensure that our existing shopping centres thrive.
“Land Securities are showing great confidence in Liverpool with their plans for refurbishing the centre which will regenerate this part of the city centre.”
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Cllr Berni Turner , Executive Member for the Environment added: “There are still a lot of discussions to take place but there is general agreement moving the market is the best way forward for the future of St John’s Market which is a very important part of the shopping experience in the city.
“We will be looking at ways in which we can make the market more accessible to the people of Liverpool,”
Nick Davis, Development Director for Land Securities said: "Discussions with the Council are ongoing. As soon as they have been concluded we will undertake a major public consultation exercise on the exciting proposals for St John's Shopping Centre.
"Land Securities is keen to make a major investment in the centre and contribute to the recent renaissance of Liverpool"
St John's Shopping Centre currently operates 105 retail units extending to a total of 360,000 sq ft. Completed in 1969, the Centre is the largest covered shopping environment in Liverpool.
The planned media wall, which will be 90 metres by 11 metres, will have a screen on which adverts will be displayed and will also be used to promote Capital of Culture events
Land Securities owns some of Britain's best-known shopping centres, such as the Birmingham Bullring and Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, as well as London landmarks such as the Piccadilly Lights and Westminster City Hall. Land Securities are investing millions of pounds in urban renaissance and regeneration in city centres and urban areas across the UK.
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