Liverpool City Council has approved the developer’s plans, which will add 118,000 sq ft (10,960 sq m) to the centre, taking it to 479,000 sq ft (44,500 sq m).
The scheme is the latest phase in Liverpool’s ongoing retail regeneration. The mall, which sits between Lime Street station and the city’s main shopping area, will continue to focus on mid-market and value retailers.
The existing centre is anchored by Wilkinson, Argos and Woolworths and is home to retailers including MKOne, JD Sports, Thorntons and Phones 4U.
Land Securities has appointed Savills and Legat Owen as joint letting agents for the project.
The redeveloped centre will include a double-height mall on the site occupied presently by the market, which is to be relocated. A catering area will be added to the first floor, overlooking Clayton Square.
In May, Grosvenor opened the first phase of its Liverpool One development, which sits less than 1,640 ft (500m) from the St John’s centre. Since its opening, Liverpool One has attracted more than 1 million shoppers and increased footfall to the city centre.
According to Land Securities, the redevelopment of the St John’s centre is not in direct response to Liverpool One, but its much-needed renewal has been on the cards for some time.
Land Securities retail development director Nick Davis said: “We see it as being complementary to Liverpool One and Church Street. For many years, St John’s has served that prevailing CDE demographic in Liverpool.”
Work is expected to begin on the project at the beginning of next year and be completed by spring 2013.
Land Securities built the original St John’s centre in 1969, which is Liverpool’s largest covered shopping centre and is home to 105 retail units.
No comments yet