We take a close look at the enormous plans that could change the way our famous city centre looks, feels and works over the next 10-15 yearsMajor development plans for LiverpoolWhen it comes to transformative change, Liverpool city centre has seen plenty. The heart of our city has been transported from a post-industrial port into a buzzing and internationally-renowned tourism and cultural hub.Undoubtedly the pivotal moment in this reimagining of the city centre came as Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture in 2008. This huge moment acted as a catalyst for billions of pounds of development, the establishment of new cultural institutions and the creation of new shopping districts – largely as part of the Liverpool One development.But that was all some time ago now – and many feel Liverpool city centre’s next big moment of regeneration is now due. Clearly those running the city and those wanting to invest in it feel similarly – because in recent months a host of huge and potentially city-altering plans have been put forward.We visited each site to explain how the enormous plans and proposals could see to totally redesign the way our city centre, looks, feels and works over the next 10 to 15 years – and produced a special video to outline it all.Here we look closely at the four projects highlighted in our video.Liverpool Central StationHow the new Liverpool Central project could reshape part of the city centre Liverpool Central Station is one of the busiest transport hubs outside of London, with huge numbers of people passing through and into the city centre each day.But the station is looking tired and at times as though it is falling apart, with leaks and large queues as the ageing infrastructure struggles to copy with the volume of people passing through.It has been a long-term ambition of city leaders, not just to redevelop Liverpool Central, but to regenerate the area of the city centre around it – and to better connect it with Liverpool Lime Street and its national train services.Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has talked of a £5 billion vision to create something akin to the Kings Cross and St Pancras transport hub in London, where the two major stations are connected via an underground tunnel. He says this could be done between Central and Lime Street.This 86-acre project aims to create a world-class transport hub to transform connectivity, drive regeneration, and unlock economic growth in Liverpool City Region and the North West of England.But both the mayor and Liverpool City Council bosses see this as more than just a transport development, but also a chance to totally reimagine a huge chunk of the city centre – with more housing, public spaces and retail units.Last month the city council released some early designs of how its Liverpool Central vision could look. The council is now working with specialist designers Hawkins/Brown to create a Strategic Regeneration Framework to guide these ambitious plans for investment and regeneration around the station – aiming to unlock its full potential as a welcoming and well-connected city centre arrival point.Pall Mall GardensHow the new Pall Mall development could eventually lookIf you think you have read about the Pall Mall development in Liverpool’s Business District for a number of years now, it is because this one has been dragging on for a while now.The ECHO has been reporting on the situation surrounding this city centre site for many years. The council-owned site, which used to include a city centre green space, was controversially fenced off in 2020 as initial plans were announced for new development of three blocks of Grade A office space, a hotel and gardens.Remediation of the site took place before the project stalled and the space has remained vacant and empty ever-since. Last year new funding was secured, giving new hope that phase one of the £60m scheme could be delivered by 2028, creating the first Grade A office space in the city for 15 years.Keir Property Developments Ltd remain the appointed developer on the project, which could create a total of 400,000 sq ft of office space, accompanied by retail and leisure space and 6,000 sq m of landscaped public green space.The project – which many see as absolutely crucial for the development of the city’s business district – received another big boost earlier this year when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that government cash would be used to help progress the plans.KingsA stunning visual of the upper landscape at Kings, the planned new waterfront development When it comes to the most potentially transformative of the plans that currently exists for the city centre, there isn’t much that could come close to building a big underground tunnel between Lime Street and Liverpool Central, but this one is not far off.If you talk to many movers and shakers in Liverpool’s business or political worlds, most will tell you how excited they are about the Kings Development plans.This is a £1.2 billion plan to create a brand new neighbourhood close to the city’s famous waterfront, on land at Gibraltar Row. The landmark plans would see 10 buildings created in total, including a 70-storey tower, which would be Liverpool’s tallest building.The plans stem from a collaboration between Beetham and the TJ Morris Group, who operate the Home Bargains empire. This means the project has significant financial backing. In total Kings would see a total of 2,750 homes developed as well as 400 hotel rooms, 150,000 sqft of offices and 160,000 sqft for retail and leisure.Central to the bold new vision will be the huge 70-floor tower, which will include a hotel. Permission has already been granted for the first building in the development, a 28-storey building.Speaking to the ECHO last month, Beetham boss Hugh Frost said: “It’s the most fantastic opportunity in the city. It’s a chance to change the skyline for the better, create a really vibrant district, a neighbourhood that links the central business district with the rest of local waters and the waterfront, which is one of the city’s biggest assets.”PumpfieldsAn artist’s impression of how the Pumpfield neighbourhood could lookWhen leaders in Liverpool set out their vision for the city centre over the next couple of decades, they often talk about expanding the footprint of what is currently considered the city centre.That’s certainly the case when it comes to the proposals for an area known as the Pumpfields District.This past week, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet signed off on a huge masterplan for an area to an area that is currently an island site, split by Scotland Road to the east, Leeds Street to the south, Great Howard Street to the west, and the Kingsway Tunnel to the north.The proposed development seeks to unlock and reintegrate the site through the creation of new and improved connections with the surrounding neighbourhoods and wider city. Among the new infrastructure is the potential for approximately 7,283 new homes.A new half a kilometre long green corridor named Kingsway Park would restore natural elements to the area which currently comprises residential buildings, surface car parking and vacant land.Members of the local authority’s cabinet have endorsed a strategy in the form of a supplementary planning document (SPD), embracing the site’s past while creating a sustainable, vibrant, mixed-use new neighbourhood delivering new homes, along with improved infrastructure and community facilities.
Category: Liverpool

Liverpool 2040: How the city centre could be totally transformed

507 new homes set to transform edge of city centre
The project is located around the Ten Streets regeneration area, next to Merseyrail’s Northern LineMore than 500 apartments are planned at Love Lane and Pall Mall in Vauxhall, Liverpool(Image: Sourced Development / Planning Documents)The edge of Liverpool city centre is set to be transformed, as plans progress on construction of more than 500 new homes. Cheshire-based BDP Construction is aiming to start on the £110m development at the end of this year.The original planning application was submitted to Liverpool City Council in August 2023 by Love Lane Liverpool Ltd, with plans subsequently approved for the construction of four residential blocks, comprising a total of 507 apartments, and provision for ground floor commercial units.It also included a commitment for developers to repurpose the existing railway arches and subterranean tunnels, with design guide documents indicating these could be converted into commercial spaces such as restaurants and cafes.The project is located around the Ten Streets regeneration area, next to the Merseyrail Northern Line. As part of the proposed reuse of the site, subterranean tunnels and existing railway arches would be transformed into commercial space. The scheme will also include car parking space and communal courtyards.Tunnels on Love Lane-Whitley Street(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)Design and access statements attached with the application said: “It will be a place that people will aspire to live and work, and come to play in their free time.”Adding: “We believe the proposals offer not just much needed homes and commercial space, we believe this will support the city ambitions for continuing the regeneration of Pumpfields, the city core integration of the area.”Sourced Developments took on the proposal and secured planning approval for the project last year, but the developer sold the site to UAE-based Habita, a company headed up by Ian Ringwood. Since then, the scheme has rebranded the project as City Walk, and apartments are being sold off-plan to investors from £186,000.The scheme is now being brought forward by Equityway Holdings, which is working with a new project team to secure Gateway 2 approval.One part of the site which is set for a major housing and regeneration development(Image: Liverpool ECHO)Footprint Architects, Pegasus Group, Pick Everard, and Shear are also advising Habita on the scheme, as it moves towards the delivery phase.Originally designed by architect BDP, which is not affiliated to the contractor appointed to build it, there are plans for four residential blocks, rising to 11 storeys, on four acres of land between the Ten Streets regeneration area and Vauxhall. Three of the plots adjoin Love Lane and one is located further south on Pall Mall.The scheme would feature 147 one-bedroom apartments, 330 with two bedrooms, and 30 with three beds.Redundant railway arches and subterranean tunnels located on two of the plots would be repurposed into more than 10,000 sqft of commercial space, according to the proposals.A 200 metre park also forms part of the joint venture’s vision for the site.

The Beatles Story Wins Gold at VisitEngland Awards for Excellence for Second Consecutive Year – Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership
Liverpool’s The Beatles Story Awarded Coveted Gold at VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026.
The Beatles Story has been awarded GOLD in the International Tourism Award category at last night’s prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 ceremony.
The ceremony, held at Aerospace Bristol beneath the wings of the iconic Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, celebrated the very best of England’s tourism industry. This national recognition follows The Beatles Story’s earlier success at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards, where it won in the same category earlier this year.
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence champion the very best of the country’s tourism industry – celebrating quality, innovation and customer service. The International Tourism Award recognises attractions that deliver outstanding service to international visitors.
The awards cycle begins with a series of regional competitions, including the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards, at which The Beatles Story won the International Tourism Award earlier this year – securing a spot at last night’s national contest.
The Beatles Story has remained a leading international attraction for 36 years, continuing to welcome visitors from across the globe and protecting the legacy of Liverpool’s cultural heritage.
Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries, supporting more than 200,000 businesses, employing 2.6 million people and generating about £76 billion in domestic visitor spending.
Mary Chadwick, General Manager at The Beatles Story, said:
“We’re so thrilled to receive this national recognition from VisitEngland. This award reflects the passion and hard work of our team, the invaluable support of our global community of ambassadors, and our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for visitors from all around the world.
It’s an incredibly exciting time for Beatles tourism, with renewed global interest driven by upcoming biopic films, and new music projects from both Paul and Ringo. We’re proud to see Liverpool’s unique musical heritage recognised on a national stage, and to be at the forefront of that as we celebrate 36 years of The Beatles Story. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors and continuing to share this extraordinary legacy with future generations.”
Praising The Beatles Story’s continued success in bringing Liverpool’s cultural heritage to life for global audiences, Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, said:“At a time when visitors are seeking meaningful, authentic experiences, The Beatles Story continues to set the benchmark for excellence.
This Gold award reflects not only the quality of the visitor experience but the attraction’s ability to translate a globally recognised cultural legacy into something personal, immersive and memorable for every visitor who walks through its doors.
Tourism is ultimately about stories, connections and shared experiences. The Beatles Story demonstrates the extraordinary value of bringing cultural assets to life in ways that strengthen local pride while attracting audiences from around the world.
On behalf of Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, I would like to congratulate the entire team on this well-deserved recognition. Their success further enhances Liverpool City Region’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading cultural and visitor destinations.”Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said:
“I am delighted to see so many businesses across England being recognised for their outstanding work, helping to make people’s stays as enjoyable and memorable as possible. These awards are a real testament to those striving to ensure our tourism industry remains outstanding.”
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world-leading. These awards showcase the exceptional quality, unparalleled customer service and innovation that drive our industry. I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”
For more information about The Beatles Story, visit www.beatlesstory.com.
For more information on the Visit England Awards for Excellence, click HERE.
For more information on the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards, click HERE.
To see the full list of winners, click HERE.

Bold Street café that was always full closed without a word
The Liverpool city centre café has already been replacedBold Street packed with shoppers(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)A Bold Street café that was once constantly packed with customers has quietly disappeared from the city. Gong Cha, the bubble tea brand that attracted long queues stretching down the street when it opened in 2020, has closed and has already been replaced by another company.Gong Cha opened with more than 100 customers waiting in line and a lion dance ceremony to mark the occasion. The brand served a range of bubble teas, including “dirtea”, a dessert-like drink combining its signature milk foam, fresh milk, brown sugar pearls and topped off with Oreo crumbs.In August, Gong Cha shut its Newcastle site with no prior warning, leaving only a note on the door. Two months later, the company closed all of its Singaporean sites for the second time after a similar exit from the country in 2017.The Liverpool site’s absence was short lived as a new business, a Hong Kong street food venue named LOJO Mate, has already opened in the premises.LOJO Mate Classic HK Cafe on Bold Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)LOJO Mate came to prominence early last year as an inconspicuous dining spot serving up dishes from thousands of miles away. Established in 2024, it was an off-shoot of highly rated takeaway, Sai Kwan Lo Jo, which was formed more than 6,000 miles away in Hong Kong.Operating for several years, the original spot specialised in food from China’s Guangdong’s Xiguan region, such as hand-made lai fun noodles and sticky rice dumplings.For three years it consistently made it onto the Michelin Guide’s prestigious Bib Gourmand list. But then it suddenly closed with its owners called it quits on its takeaway, citing the pandemic, closures happening around them and a period of low earnings.LOJO Mate Classic HK Cafe on Bold Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)However, one of its founders decided to up sticks and move to the UK, landing in Bury, where he established LOJO Mate with a focus on Hong Kong-inspired dishes.In March, its owner, Alex, who prided himself as a one man operation, announced the venue would be leaving Manchester. LOJO Mate has now taken the brand to Liverpool with the Bold Street site up and running and offering everything customers came to love from the Bury site.Announcing its arrival, LOJO Mate said: “From a Red, to another. Almost two years of ‘training’ in Bury. Didn’t get much, apart from repetition. This year, LOJO Mate moves to the next chapter.”

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd want Aurélien Tchouaméni as Liverpool in Yan Diomande talks
June 4th©IMAGO
The summer transfer window is approaching quickly on the horizon and clubs are already busy working on deals to acquire their top targets. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer storiesManchester United remain interested in Aurélien Tchouaméni. The 26-year-old’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks but Real Madrid don’t want to sell the French international but United could still table an offer.
Liverpool have opened talks with RB Leipzig over Yan Diomande. The Ivory Coast international is one of the most coveted players in the world but it’s unclear whether Liverpool will match Leipzig’s €130m valuation – you can read more about that story here.
Newcastle have submitted a €24m bid to sign AIK Stockholm’s 18-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, who is one of the biggest talents playing in Sweden.
Note:
When you search for something on Google, you’ll see a box with the latest news alongside the usual results. If you set Transfermarkt as your preferred source, our content will appear there more often.Add Transfermarkt as your preferred source here.

Liverpool parents take fight over school closure to High Court
Parents say they feel they’re ‘finally being listened to’ as they continue their fight to keep city centre school openAnna Mulholland with her son and daughter Alice Mulholland, 15, who has attended LIPA since she was four-years-old(Image: Liverpool Echo)Parents desperate to save a Liverpool city centre school from closing down, will have their case heard at the High Court of Justice. The Save LIPA School campaign has continued its fight to keep the school open, and hopes the court will approve a Judicial Review into the decision to close it down.At the start of April, the Liverpool ECHO revealed that a letter was issued to parents of LIPA Primary and Secondary School, confirming a final decision had been taken to close the school at the end of the summer term in July. This followed a ‘listening period’, which came after an initial closure decision was announced for the Upper Duke Street School in February.But despite the passionate protestations of parents, pupils and teachers, the Department of Education agreed with the decision to close LIPA School and this was confirmed to parents in a letter in mid-April.The letter, from the current chair of the multi-academy trust which runs the school, Kevin Mothersdale, said: “Following the listening period and consideration of the responses, the Department for Education has confirmed that LIPA School will close permanently at the end of the summer term on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.A protest outside LIPA Primary School in Liverpool earlier this year(Image: Liverpool Echo)Despite this, the ‘Save LIPA School’ campaign has continued to insist that its fight is “far from over”, and confirmed its intention to proceed with a planned Judicial Review of the closure decision, which it argues was “cloaked in secrecy.”Since then, and as part of plan to have get a judicial review approved, the families have submitted more than a thousand documents detailing the case to keep LIPA school open.Parents contacted the ECHO last night (June 3) to confirm their case will now be heard at the High Court of Justice on June 11. The claimant in the case is one of the parents, Siobhan Green, while the defendant is listed as the Secretary of State for Education, with LIPA School listed as an ‘interested party’.The case requires both the claimant, and the Secretary of State for Education to provide a ‘skeleton argument’ by Monday June 8.Responding to the news the campaign’s argument will be heard at the High Court, a number of parents offered their response to the news, including Dagmara Wojciechowicz, who has two children at LIPA School, one in primary and one in secondary education.Dagmara Wojciechowicz has two children who attend LIPA school including her daughter Bianca, 7, who joined in 2022(Image: Liverpool Echo)She told us: “The proposed closure of LIPA School feels like a heart-breaking injustice and a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of the children and families who depend on it.”Throughout this uncertainty, the teachers have gone above and beyond, supporting our children not just in the classrooms but emotionally, helping them feel safe and valued when so much is out of their control.”For many children, LIPA is their safe space—a place where they have found confidence, belonging and the opportunity to truly thrive. What makes this entire situation even harder to understand is that there is no other free creative school in the city.”Such big part of Liverpool’s identity is built on culture, music and the arts. It’s mind blowing to think that so little was done to support the school. Losing Lipa School would leave a void that cannot simply be replaced. We hope that the hearing can put the stop to this unjust process.”Lauren Byron, mum to two children who are also in LIPA’s primary school and high school, said: “Finally I feel like our voices are being listened to.A protest outside LIPA Primary School in Liverpool earlier this year(Image: Liverpool Echo)”There are major problems with the British education system and Lipa offered a creative approach to learning that the children needed. I’m grateful for such a strong community that won’t just accept a closure and appreciate all the work behind the scenes from our legal team to make this possible.”Another parent, and one of the founding members of the ‘Save LIPA School’ campaign, Anna Mulholland said: “An in person hearing is a positive step in our fight.”It is the first real opportunity for the courts to be made aware of the immensely detrimental impact this closure is having on the children and the extremely poor way the LIPA MAT and trustees have handled the situation.”

Irish venue plans for historic Liverpool site facing backlash
The Grade II listed building, which sits near James Street station, is to become an Irish-themed venueCastle Moat House, James Street, Liverpool Plans for another Irish-themed venue in Liverpool city centre could face a backlash over proposed late night opening times. The Castle Moat House building on Fenwick Street is to reopen under a new occupant.The Grade II listed building, which sits near James Street station, is to become another Irish-themed venue named McSwiggins. The site Castle Moat House was built in the late 1830s as the North and South Wales Bank, designed by Edward Corbett.McSwiggins will be the latest venue to open from hospitality operator Pub Invest Group, which controls more than 40 sites across the city centre, including similar Irish concepts Temple Tavern on Mathew Street, McNastys on Seel Street and The Dubliner in Temple Court. A licensing application logged with Liverpool Council has requested the premises to open daily from 9am until 2am with live music indoors.This has prompted concern from some around the building, including one opponent who said the noise from the site could be “intolerable”. The plans will now go to a crunch committee hearing with councillors to make a final decision on the hours being sought.Cllr Nick Small was among those to object to the proposed hours. In a written representation, he said: “Based on dialogue I have had with residents living on Fenwick Street and James Street, I believe that the application as it currently stands will result in increased noise nuisance for residents from the amplified music from the premises, so have suggested reasonable conditions to prevent this.“I also believe that the requested hours are not reasonable in this part of the city centre. This part of the city centre is increasingly residential and reducing the terminal hours as I suggest will help to protect that character by reducing public nuisance.”Cllr Nick Small(Image: Liverpool Echo)As a compromise, Cllr Small suggested hours could be reduced to 11am to 11pm on Monday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Sunday closing time would be 10.30pm as part of this suggestion.The building’s name comes from the building standing over the site of the old moat of Liverpool Castle, which once occupied the area around modern Derby Square. An opening date is yet to be announced but the tavern has teased the launch as “coming soon.”One objector wrote to Liverpool Council setting out why they could not support the requested hours as submitted.They said: “I oppose the 2am licence of this premises as I think it will have a negative impact on the surrounding area.“There is real concern this will cause anti-social behaviour late at night and as a resident I’m worried about the loud noise from live music and do not want a speaker to be playing music out on to the street.”Another opponent wanted the council to go further.They wrote: “I own two units and the extension of music until 2am is intolerable. I suggest that 10pm would be acceptable.”The plans will now go before Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee on Tuesday, June 9 for a final consideration. The ECHO contacted a spokesperson for Pub Invest Group for comment.

Pen to paper: Liverpool send Man City running after sealing vital contract for star Iraola will love
Josh Abe has committed his long-term future to Liverpool Football Club.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe 15-year-old attacker turned down offers from a number of Premier League clubs, including rivals Manchester City, to sign scholarship terms.The teenager is understood to have put pen to paper on a pre-contract agreement that will see him start a three-year professional deal once he turns 17 in 2027.It has been reported that Abe was offered as much as £50,000 a week to leave the Merseyside giants this summer.Despite having been injured since February, and having witnessed limited faith put in Liverpool’s young talent under Arne Slot, the youngster has committed to continuing his development at L4.The Spaniard’s reputation certainly precedes him when it comes to improving and handing opportunities to young stars, with the likes of Rayan Vitor, Eli Junior Kroupi, and Dean Huijsen having all benefited.Handy, given that Josh Abe will be available for the club’s pre-season tour of the States ahead of the 2026/27 season.Featuring on the right wing, the teenager has already impressed Liverpool coaches with his natural inclination to invert and fearlessly drive at his opponents with the ball.Footage shared by The Secret Scout on X (formerly Twitter) indicates this isn’t the only facet to his game. He’s evidently just as able to cut inside and utilise his vision to pick out an advancing teammate with a deadly through ball.There’s also a remarkable explosiveness to Abe’s game. The young wide man is happy to stretch play to the byline before receiving the ball and bursting away from a press where he can then impact the game in the final third.This may very well be a talent to keep a close eye on – especially given Iraola’s notable ability to develop young stars.More Stories / Latest News

Images show inside first new Mersey ferry in 60 years
The new ferry features open-plan decks, new seating areas, and bars.It has also been fitted with dedicated event spaces that transform the ferry into a venue for conferences, corporate functions and private celebrations, the authority said. The design is intended to be “fully accessible”, including a dedicated lift providing easy access to the upper deck. Rotheram added: “Just like our new publicly owned trains and modern bus fleet, this new ferry sits alongside the very best of our transport investments. “We want people to step aboard and be genuinely wowed from the moment they arrive.”The Royal Daffodil was built as part of a £26m investment in modernising the Mersey Ferries fleet. It replaces the Royal Iris, which featured in the 1965 film Ferry Cross the Mersey, starring the band Gerry and the Pacemakers, who also sang the legendary title song.Over the coming months, there will be a programme of captain and crew training, ahead of its launch later this year.

Changes planned for Liverpool city centre office and park project
Developer wants to make amendments as transformational scheme moves forwardHow the new office and park development at Pall Mall could look(Image: Liverpool ECHO)There are plans to alter a multi-million pound flagship office and garden complex set to be built in Liverpool city centre. The Pall Mall scheme is set to be developed on land off Bixteth Street in the city’s business district.The council-owned site was remediated in 2020 and a masterplan for new Grade A office buildings and a hotel were approved. But the plans stalled and the area has been fenced off ever since.But with new funding secured last year, it is hoped that the development – led by Kier Property Developments Ltd – could see its first phase, including an eight-storey office and an urban park – completed by 2028.The scheme received a further boost last month when it was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that the government would be backing the plans – which would see the first Grade A offices built in Liverpool in 15 years – with cash to help bring it to life.As the plans progress, Kier has now submitted a new application to the city council to make some changes to the scheme.The application is for what is known as a ‘non-material amendment’ to its existing planning permission for the development site.The application seeks to amend some of the approved designs of the scheme. They say the changes are required to make sure the final design is compliant with building and fire safety and to respond to changes in the market that have occurred since the original approval of the application back in 2019.As well as some specific design changes, other alterations would see the number of car parking spaces at the scheme reduce from 24 to 20.How the new office and park development at Pall Mall could lookIn terms of the redesign, the new application would seek to reconfigure the main entrance and lobby of the development, with the primary access now being from Bixteth Walk and secondary access from the gardens area. The planned roof terrace will be relocated from level 7 of the complex to level 8.The application statement insists that the planned amendments will not materially affect the site’s external appearance or elevations, with views onto the site from nearby unaffected.A statement reads: “The architectural character and quality of the scheme will be maintained with the changes to the scheme, and the viability and deliverability of the scheme will be significantly improved, having responded to changes in the market that have occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic.”Pall Mall Liverpool is widely recognised as a catalyst project for Liverpool’s growth, playing a critical role in the expansion of the city’s Commercial Business District (CBD).The project is being delivered in partnership with Liverpool City Council, supported by grant funding, and according to the council, it underlines its commitment to unlocking ‘strategically important regeneration’ and driving economic growth in the city centre.Speaking in March, Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy at Liverpool City Council said: “The progress at Pall Mall Gardens demonstrates our commitment to creating a city centre that works for modern businesses and supports long-term economic growth.“By investing in high quality, sustainable office space, we are strengthening Liverpool’s commercial offer and creating the conditions that more companies look for when deciding where to invest, locate and grow.“This development is a key part of our ambition to build a competitive, future focused city that attracts new employers, creates high value jobs and delivers lasting benefits for residents.”









