Taking its lead from similar schemes in London’s Shoreditch and Brixton, developer CanCo promises a ‘funky, urban development’ with local entrepreneurs getting first dibs on the units. Tony McDonough reports

Lodge Lane in South Liverpool already has a reputation as a bustling, multi-cultural retail centre and now plans have been revealed to add a quirky new feature into the mix – retail units in shipping containers.

Taking its lead from similar schemes in London’s Shoreditch and Brixton, developer CanCo promises a “funky, urban development” and says it will give first dib to the 14 units to local entrepreneurs.

If approved, the development will se refurbished, insulated shipping containers to provide fourteen 150 sq ft units with glazed frontages.

The units will be laid out around a landscaped central courtyard on a site bounded by Lodge Lane and Grierson Street, with containers painted different colours and some stacked two high to offer a striking, modern frontage.

CanCo says it has been in constructive discussions with “stakeholders” to “craft the best possible scheme” and says that if planning permission is granted hopes to be on site by the autumn.

“Lodge Lane succeeds because it meets the needs of its local community and, in doing so, has become a draw for the wider city,” said Nathan Schreiber of CanCo. 

“It’s a big success and try finding an empty shop unit. You won’t. Our aim is to provide more room for local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in a low-cost, high quality setting.”

The company says the development will target a mix of retailers and other businesses and will offer easy-in, easy-out terms to help reduce the risks associated with establishing a new enterprise.

Mr Schreiber added: “We want to provide an environment where retailers can test new concepts and products.  These are difficult times for the high street but with the right focus on place-making and meeting local needs we know places like Lodge Lane can continue to thrive.”