Liverpool Shopping Park is to expand by a further 80,000 sq ft in an £11m project – less than six years after its first opened. Tony McDonough reports

Less than six years after it opened in October 2017 Liverpool Shopping Park is to expand by a further 80,000 sq ft.

Acting on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, the Derwent Group has submitted a planning application to add more retail and leisure space at the park in an £11m project.

Earlier on Tuesday Derwent unveiled a multi-million pound plan for a 62,500 sq ft industry development on the site of a former biscuit factory in Huyton. That has also been submitted on behalf of the Albert Gubay Foundation.

Located close to Edge Lane just outside the city centre, Liverpool Shopping Park currently occupies more than 165,000 sq ft. Tenants include River Island, Next, M&S Food Hall, Greggs Smyths Toys, JD Sports and T K Maxx.

New plans will see the creation of two new drive through units and a 20,000 sq ft commercial unit suitable for a number of uses such as a car dealership or non-food retail operator.

The adjacent building, which existing tenant Hollywood Bowl occupies, will be reconfigured to create an enhanced and exciting new bowling and leisure experience for its customers. These new units will benefit from prominent frontage to Edge Lane.

James Maule-Ffinch, senior asset manager at the Derwent Group, said: “Liverpool Shopping Park is quickly emerging as one of the region’s biggest out of town retail and leisure destinations.

“It continues to secure high profile brands including Nike, which recently launched its new Unite concept store having taken a 10,000 sq ft unit at the Park before Christmas.”

Subject to planning approval, construction will start on site before the end of the year with a view to being operational by the first quarter of 2025.

James added: “Our phased approach to the development of the Park has allowed us to create a unique and flexible offering.

“We have also continued to invest significantly in the public realm space to create an active frontage to the units and an enhanced pedestrian experience through several commercialisation initiatives.”

ATP Planning is the planning consultant advising the Derwent Group with RGP the architect. McMullen Real Estate and CSP are the appointed letting agents for the scheme.

Entrepreneur Albert Gubay founded the charitable foundation in 2016 when he bequeathed the £700m property empire that he had built up over his lifetime. He wanted its income to be used for charitable purposes.

On its behalf Derwent Group operates a UK industrial, office, retail and leisure portfolio totalling 3m sq ft.