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ICONIC Lewis’s BUILDING CHANGES HANDS
THE Lewis’s building, an integral
part of Liverpool’s rich retailing history, has been sold to
north-west developer
Merepark in a joint venture partnership with previous owners Capital
& Counties, a subsidiary of Liberty International PLC.
It is expected that a planning application for the re-development of
the 9 storey, 420,000 sq. ft building, will be submitted to the
city’s planners in December. The developers are committed to
constructive conservation of the Grade II listed building and
procuring a proposal which acknowledges the past, but which
also looks to the future.
It has been confirmed that the Lewis’s store will continue to trade
as usual and it is hoped will form an integral part of the new
plans. Central to this philosophy is the preservation of the
building’s best loved features including the Jacob Epstein statue, ‘Liverpool
Resurgent’, which has become one of the city’s if not the
world’s best known meeting places and
which was immortalised in the song ‘In My Liverpool Home’.
Simultaneously, The Watson Building, situated next to Lewis’s on
Renshaw Street, has been acquired by Central Regeneration Limited
Partnership, a joint venture comprising Merepark and Irish developer
Ballymore.
The same JV partners agreed the purchase of the the Rapid paint
store on the corner of Renshaw Street and Newington earlier this
year and this latest acquisition will provide further permeability
between the Lewis’s building, the Watson Building and the first
phase of Central Village site. The purchase price of the 80,000 sq
ft, 8 storey building has not been disclosed.
Merepark director, Richard Peel comments:- “These are two
highly strategic acquisitions which will enable us to deliver a full
regeneration programme for Central Village and integrate 2 very
prominent sites into the fabric of the city.
Our discussions with Vergo Retail, which currently trades from the
Lewis’s department store, have been based on continuity of its trade
throughout the construction process and this has the upmost
importance. We hope that this news, combined with the start of work
on phase one of Central Village later this year, will bring further
confidence about the future prospects of this city.
We have worked closely with Liverpool City Council, English Heritage
and Liverpool Vision throughout the purchase process and look
forward to a new future for Lewis’s, a future in which the Lewis’s
building will once again play a leading part in the lives of the
people of Liverpool.”
David Thompson of Vergo Retail says:- “Lewis’s has long been
one of Liverpool’s key retail destinations and over the last 3
months has gone through a revival. We’re confident the JV partner’s
plans will see it develop as a vibrant retailer for many years to
come.”
Martin Wright, Liverpool Vision development director said:-
“Lewis's is a landmark building in Liverpool city centre and the
acquisition by Merepark will allow a sensitive and imaginative
refurbishment. The acquisition, in conjunction with the wider
Central Village development, will result in an exciting new
mixed-use quarter being created in this important area of the city
centre.”
Merepark and Ballymore are poised to begin work on the £110m first
phase of the £160m Central Village, hailed as one of Liverpool’s
biggest regeneration schemes. Central Village comprises a 25-storey
tower and a 20-storey mid-rise building. The project will include
over 300 apartments and will be anchored by a four-star plus hotel
and a ground and 1st floor leisure and retail offering will run
along a new spectacular water feature.
The JV partners confirmed that it is business as usual for the
occupiers of both buildings and that there has been continued
dialogue with Vergo Retail Ltd during the acquisition process. |
STAY A NIGHT IN HAUNTED HOUSE FOR CHARITY
THE Regional
office of a national charity is on the lookout for any brave souls
who would like to take part in a ghost hunt event and stay the night
in a haunted house to help raise funds for the charity by being
sponsored.
The event, on 23 February 2008, will see twenty people spending the
night inside Stanley Palace in Chester each having a very personal
experience as they search for the resident ghosts that haunt this
16th century building.
Stanley Palace is Chester’s finest Elizabethan house and is famous
for its hauntings. Its most renowned ghost is that of Elizabeth
Warburton, known as ‘The Lady’. She died in 1627 and has been
witnessed walking around the building on various occasions.
The night, which starts at 9pm and finishes at 5am, begins with a
special tour of the building detailing real-life experiences and
historical information researched by the experts. This will set the
scene before the group is joined by a team of experienced paranormal
investigators and mediums who will use their knowledge to track down
the most haunted areas of the building. During the night there will
be experiments in which everyone can take part, including full use
of ghost hunting and psychic equipment.
To take part, anyone interested is asked to pay a reservation fee of
£25 and raise sponsorship of £200. For further details please
contact the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on 01244 403012 or email
charlesh@muscular-dystrophy.org.
Puppy stolen
MERSEYSIDE
Police in St Helens are appealing for any information about a stolen
dog that was taken on Monday, 5 November 2007. St Helens Police
received a report of a miniature schnauzer dog having been stolen by
three people in a bright red van (with a flat back) from Alder Lane
in Crank around 3.00pm. The vehicle is believed to be '51' plate.
'Bertie' is a family pet and is 8 months old. He is described as 15"
tall, salt and pepper coloured and has been chipped.
"The family is very upset as as you can understand. As many who keep
dogs can tell you, the dog is not just a pet, but also a family
member." we got told by the police.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Bertie or has information about
his theft or the vehicle is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800
555 111.
WLLR Santa Specials on track...
THE West
Lancashire Light Railway will be running it's Santa Specials on the
16 December 2007, 22 December 2007 and 23 December 2007 from it's
Station on Station Road, Hesketh Bank. The trains will run from
10.30am. to 4.30pm. To avoid not being able to get on, you can book
now! For booking forms send s.a.e. to West Lancs. Light Railway,
Hesketh Bank, PR4 6XP, or download from the railways
website. Not only that
but we can confirm that you can also book at the Railway on Sunday
afternoon, on the 9 December 2007.
Not booked for Christmas? come along anyway, but the WLLR do say
that you must be prepared to wait at peak times. "We will do
our best to get you on, but we can not 100% guarantee a ride."
You can also check our advert page for
directions and for more information by clicking
HERE. |
