Like many city centres, Liverpool faced some tough challenges during the lockdowns. The pandemic accelerated the shift towards online shopping, and many major chain stores, including Debenhams and TopShop, went bust, leaving boarded up premises in formerly prime retails spots.
Not one to remain behind the curve, Liverpool is already surging forwards with ambitious new plans to re-imagine its city centre spaces. For example, the Liverpool Echo reports that the former Debenhams department store may now be turned into a top leisure attraction.
The city council has already approved plans for Gravity Active Entertainment to create a new entertainment and leisure space, featuring indoor golf, go-karting, and bowling. Former retail space on Castle Street has already been converted into a cocktail bar and a shooting range.
Planners hope that the many impressive Grade II listed buildings in the city centre will continue to evolve, and find a new purpose among a new generation of visitors and locals alike.
The Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle is another area that is showing some of the famous scouse spirit. It has seen its fair share of cuts and setbacks over the years, but it now has several projects on the go to raise inclusivity and bring the community together.
The Liverpool Echo reports that the Bootle Tool Shed is one such example; a community craft workshop, twinned with a neighbouring bike workshop. Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “We’ve given opportunities to the voluntary and third sector in The Strand and there’s some fantastic work going on.”
There is also The Big Onion Project, designed as a space for entrepreneurs, and Kingsley & Co, a children’s bookshop. Space has also been prepared adjacent to the canal for a multipurpose events venue, which has received some funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
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