£100million refurbishment of St Johns Shopping Precinct wins planning approval
_tcm81-126518.jpg "Artists impression of how St Johns Shopping Centre will look in 2012")
City Council planners have given their approval to Land Securities' proposal to refurbish the existing St John's Shopping Centre. The £100million facelift is seen as a response to Grosvenor's Liverpool One project which opened at the end of May 2008.
A dramatic improvement to both internal and external appearance of the 1971 complex is planned. Double height shopping malls will be created, along with roof spaces that will allow natural daylight in. One of the main criticisms of the current building is that everything feels cramped in its crowded, small, internal streets that are dark and depressing under artifical lighting.
It is also expected that the centre will expand onto Houghton Street, Elliot Street and Roe Street.
_tcm81-126519.jpg "Artists impression of how St Johns Shopping Centre will look in 2012 - the new market hall as viewed from Williamson Square")
St John's Market will be relocated to the building currently used by JJB Sports, fronting Williamson and Square, where it will have a mugh higher profile and be more accessible to shoppers. Architects working for Land Securities have stated there is sufficient room for all the existing market traders within the building.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council leader said:
"With Liverpool One already being a success, it is important we ensure our existing shopping centres thrive.
"Land Securities are showing great confidence in Liverpool with their ambitious plans for refurbishing St John's Centre, which will regenerate this part of the city centre.
"The centre and market have been an established part of the Liverpool shopping scene for nearly 40 years, and they can look forward to a very bright future."
Work is expected to start on the scheme in autumn 2008, and will be completed by late 2012.