When the once iconic Topshop store in Church Street in Liverpool closed for the final time in 2021 it was the end of an era – but new plans will soon be unveiled for the 68,000 sq ft space. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool ONE is in the final stages of bringing the former Topshop store in Liverpool back to life.
When Topshop, which fronts onto Church Street, closed its doors for the final time in 2021 it was the end of an era. Since the 1960s millions of fashion-conscious youngsters had clamoured for its must-have and modestly-priced clothing lines.
However as the new century progressed online fashion became king and Topshop struggled. When its owner, Philip Green’s Arcadia Group, collapsed into administration in November 2020 the future for the brand looked bleak.
In February 2021 online fashion retailer ASOS agreed a deal to take the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands out of administration for £265m. However, while the name lived on, the physical stores were closed down.
It meant the 68,000 sq ft outlet in Church Street, a four-floor fashion Mecca, had suddenly created a big gaping hole in what is Liverpool’s premier shopping street.
Its owner, retail and leisure complex Liverpool ONE, had partial success in filling the space when The Vintage Store took 12,000 sq ft on the ground floor in 2021. Unfortunately, it closed its doors the following year.
In early 2024 Liverpool ONE’s estate director Iain Finlayson told LBN there had been multiple inquiries from potential occupiers. But he revealed the building would require extensive work before it was suitable for new tenants.
“That unit wasn’t a new build like much of Liverpool ONE. It is an old building and when a tenant leaves you get to have a proper look. We saw that we have a lot of structural work to do. It is a prominent space and it was underestimated how much work was needed.”
There remain hoardings around the site but LBN has learned that while the building still needs “a huge amount of TLC” Liverpool ONE is to turn it into four separate retail units that may be ready for occupation by the end of 2025.
Despite a tough environment for bricks and mortar retailing Liverpool ONE’s recent track record suggests it will be successful in letting the units.
In 2024 Landsec acquired the complex from Grosvenor for £490m and it was also a year that saw multiple new lettings. This year is set to be even better with Liverpool ONE boasting it will be the biggest year for openings since its launch in 2008.
So far this year fast food brand Wingstop UK has taken space along with high end brands Sephora, TFG London and Japanese fashion giant UNIQLO which opened its outlet in Paradise Street last week.