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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Alan Weston

Scousers have their say on go-kart track plan for Liverpool Debenhams

The giant Debenhams Liverpool ONE store closed its doors for good last May, and since then has stood empty.

Earlier this week it was revealed the former department store could be transformed into an indoor go-karting track.

Liverpool ONE landlord Grosvenor has submitted plans to Liverpool Council to convert part of the vacant 185,000 sq ft store into leisure space.

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The new proposal from Grosvenor is to retain retail use in the lower and upper ground levels of the building and use the first and second levels for leisure purposes - which could include an indoor go-karting track.

The main entrance for the site would be from Chavasse Park.

Ahead of next week's planning committee meeting, council planning officers are recommending that the plans should be approved - with a number of conditions included.

We asked for your views on the proposal, and it received a resounding thumbs down.

To the question: "Do you think a go kart track and leisure venue is a good idea to take over this large city centre space?", a big majority (72%) said No, with only 13% saying Yes.

When asked: "Would you have any concerns about it?" 66% of respondents said they would.

Among the reasons given for people not being in favour of the idea were: it would attract anti-social behaviour, a go-kart track of itself would not be used by a large section of the public, there would be stag do's in the heart of the main shopping area, and Liverpool ONE being mainly a shopping centre and should stay that way.

Others favoured something more "inclusive and varied", such as crazy mini-golf, bowling or table tennis for all ages to enjoy as a family.

Among the suggestions for what could be put there instead was another department store such as a Selfridges or Harvey Nichols, or a base for local small businesses.

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