PLANS to open a 60-stall emporium at an old Woolworths’ site in south Liverpool have been turned down.
The Foresters Friendly Society, which owns the well-known Allerton Road premises, has instead granted Tesco permission to launch a new store.
The decision ends months of uncertainty for city entrepreneur Graeme Williams, who put forward the idea for the traditional trading hub last year.
The 55-year-old was keen to open up the top-end market offering customers outlets including a bakers, butchers, barbers and candlestick maker.
But, after being informed his plans were being regarded favourably, an initial deal with Sainsbury's was agreed last year.
But the supermarket giant reneged on the deal amid uncertainty surrounding loading arrangements on or around Allerton Road.
The site was again put out to bidders and a deal was recently concluded with rival supermarket Tesco.
The company told the LDP it planned to open either an Express or Metro store on the site – but described developments as being in their “very early days”.
Tim Richards, the agent for Foresters Friendly Society, said Tesco had agreed a 15-year lease.
Tesco is understood to have acquired the south Liverpool site for an annual rental fee of around £80,000.
Mr Richards said: “We analysed all the offers we received, considering rental levels and length of lease.”
Mr Williams said he was disappointed his bid had failed, describing it as a “missed opportunity” for the area.
He added: “The people in Allerton were constantly coming up to me imploring me to make my emporium idea happen. Aspects of this project were unique, with a mixture of long-term permanent traders and one-day barrow space for students if they wanted to have a stall.
“This could have combined a massive shopping population within a large artisan area.
“It would have had a tourist information bureau promoting the Penny Lane area.
“It’s such a shame.”
Mr Williams said he received firm expressions of interest for the emporium – including one from the co-owner of the Royal Tandoori, on Smithdown Road, who wanted to open a stall selling takeaway Indian food.
Hundreds of Woolworths stores across the UK closed when the company went into administration in November, 2008.
It is estimated it costs around £200,000 a year for the Allerton Road site to lie dormant.
The timescale for the opening of the new Tesco store on the site remains unclear.
