Plans have been submitted to convert a retail space in Liverpool city centre into a bingo hall.
Next, which formerly occupied a shop on Church Street, announced in 2020 that it was set to close the store and vacated the building during lockdown of the same year.
The clothing and homeware retailer has since moved to a new premises facing across from its original store on Church Street.
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French sporting goods retailer Decathlon is now set to move into the space, as confirmed last summer 2021.
Decathlon will take over the ground floor of the six storey building, while, at the time of the announcement, other non-retailer businesses were expected to take up the upper floors and basement space.
Plans have now been submitted which could see the basement of the former retail space become home to a bingo hall.
Retail management company Redevco received permission in November 2020 from Liverpool Council's planning committee to allow the use of the building to shift from retail to other uses.
The adjoining report confirming the change of use outlined that “any proposed leisure operation would require opening until 02:00am.”
Few further details have been released by the applicant or city council after the submission for the change of use to bingo hall was received in December 2021.
The City Council’s planning portal outlines the proposals are being submitted by Redevco UK Ltd with the application being overseen by Savillis.
The plans do not yet have a recommendation from planning officers or have been given a date to go before the City Council planning committee.
The change from retail to other uses reflects a similar trend being seen across Liverpool's high streets.
Earlier this month plans to convert the basement of the former Debenhams store in Liverpool ONE into a go-kart track were given the green light.
Elsewhere in Liverpool’s commercial district, there is now a growing experiential retail offer with a number of businesses looking to adapt following the pandemic’s impact on the high street.
Recent figures from Liverpool BID reveal that spending across Liverpool city centre is continuing to recover but is still down on pre-pandemic levels.
In the final four months of 2021, total spend in the city centre hit £734m, the highest total since the same period in 2019.
