Fashion retailer Next relocated its flagship Liverpool store during lockdown and now there are big plans for the 100,000 sq ft space in Church Street it left behind. Tony McDonough reports
Owners of a 100,000 sq ft building in Liverpool city centre that was formerly home to fashion retailer Next is undergo a “transformational programme of works”.
During the last COVID-19 lockdown Next relocated its main Liverpool outlet from Church Street just a few yards away to the former Forever 21 store on the corner of Church Street and Whitechapel.
Now Redevco, owner of the Church Street building, has appointed Liverpool property consultancy The Momentum Group to oversee a reconfiguration of the property to enhance its attraction to a wider range of potential occupiers.
Redevco, invited tenders from a number of contractors earlier this year. The contract was awarded to The Momentum Group due to its experience in maximising value in city centre retail premises.
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Co-founded by former Liverpool ONE estate director, Chris Bliss, and Chris Renshaw, Momentum already provides project management for clients including Liverpool ONE and the upmarket mall Metquarter in Whitechapel. In April it secured a contract to manage two commercial district office buildings.
Chris Renshaw said: “It is our first project with them (Redevco) and a great opportunity to showcase our services, providing the very best experience for our client, and helping to create an exciting new development in one of the most prominent buildings in the city centre.”
Redevco portfolio director, Andrew Foulds, added: “We received a number of high-quality tenders for this project but felt the Momentum Group offered the best all round service and value for money to meet our requirements.
“It is really useful to have a respected local Liverpool team working on the ground, with local knowledge in the city centre retail sector.”