JJB Sports make way for new market hall

Jan 9 2008 by Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Daily Post

An artist's impression of what the new-look St John's shopping centre could look like _320

SPORTS retailer JJB Sports is set to move out of its Williamson Square store to make way for a new market hall as part of the £100m revamp of the St Johns Shopping Centre.

The Daily Post understands the retailer is set to move into the main shopping centre while its first-floor base at the nearby Williamson Square will be extended to make way for a new market hall.

The existing market hall in St Johns will disappear as part of massive redevelopment plans by owner Land Securities, details of which will be on show in a new marketing suite that opens to the public today.

Centre owner Land Securities, which also owns the neighbouring Clayton Square shopping centre, is remaining tight-lipped on details of its plans for Williamson Square and on JJB Sports’ future plans.

But a spokesman confirmed the existing building would be refitted and extended and a new market would be at least as big as the current one. A spokesman said: “The plans would see the market relocated to a 21st century market facility in an extended Williamson Square building. The new market hall will be equivalent if not slightly greater in area than the existing market trading floor.”

The walkway between St Johns and Williamson Square block will also be enlarged.

The St Johns centre attracted 20m visitors last year, but Land Securities says it is badly in need of a refit. The centre, which opened in 1969 and houses 105 retail units, has faced much criticism for its faded and dated appearance.

The refurbishment, which has yet to win planning permission but which Land Securities says it wants to complete by 2012, will include two-storey malls, more natural light and a new food terrace overlooking Clayton Square. The centre’s shops will remain open during the refurbishment work.

Land Securities is also set to build the UK’s biggest “media wall”, including a giant TV screen, on the centre’s Lime Street facade to hide the work to visitors arriving at Lime Street station.

The St Johns marketing suite will be open from Monday to Friday 10am-4pm and on two Saturdays each month. Land Securities’ retail development director Nick Davis said: “The proposals will give the centre a new look inside and out, providing a modern shopping environ- ment for Liverpool City Centre.

“Land Securities is committed to consultation with local people and we are keen to know what people think of our proposals.”

alistairhoughton