Plans for the former Debenhams site to be converted into a leisure facility that could include a go-karting track have been given the green light.
Liverpool Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead for proposals at the now vacant store on the Liverpool ONE estate to be repurposed into a leisure and retail venue, despite concerns it would turn the city into “an amusement arcade.”
As part of the scheme, an indoor electric go-kart circuit could be installed at the site off South John Street and Lord Street.
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The building will remain a retail space on the lower two floors, with the upper levels being converted into a leisure facility.
The former department store has been vacant since Debenhams ceased trading in May last year.
Lauren Neary, of planning consultants Avison Young, on behalf of applicant Grosvenor, told the committee that the retail usage will be accessed from the existing frontage off South John Street and Lord Street, while the possible go-kart and leisure facilities would be available via Chavasse Park.
She said no external alterations are proposed to the existing unit and windows fronting onto Lord Street and South John Street shall be retained.
Ms Neary said the division of the site “could only be seen as a positive for Liverpool City Centre” and the proposals would “add to the attractiveness” of the city.
Cllr Billy Lake expressed concerns, questioning whether the plans were being rushed through as the site had been vacant less than 12 months.
He said the site represented “the opening of our prime retail venue” and referring to the addition of the go-kart track, Cllr Lake asked if the amendments would turn “the city centre into an amusement arcade?”
He added: “First of all we had a zip wire planned to degenerate our most iconic and historic buildings, then we had our remembrance service disrespected by a whirlygig which was placed on St George’s Plateau, now we’ve got go-karts to undermine our prime retail space.”
Ms Neary said “extensive marketing” had been undertaken by Grosvenor, who had been unable to find a retailer willing to take the whole unit.
Committee chair Cllr Tony Concepcion said there was no desire for the site to remain empty and “in many ways, we’re in a different world post pandemic and the way people shop is changing, and we need to address that.”
Welcoming the application, Cllr Concepcion said it would be a “positive change for the city” and would introduce a leisure element to the retail area.
The application was approved by a majority vote.
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