Marks & Spencer moved a step closer to opening a new store in Liverpool’s business quarter after planning permission was granted for a new luxury supermarket on the site of the former Exchange pub.
The British supermarket giant has reportedly had a long-standing interest in adding a new store to its Liverpool porfolio, and may have found an ideal opportunity to press forward with the venture in the form of the Old Hall Street property.
The 4,800sq ft lower ground floor of the building has been unused since landlord Richie Owen vacated the premises in January.
And documents show that proposals from an as-yet-unnamed source “to carry out external alterations, including replacement shopfront, entrance doors, signage, rooftop plant and equipment, rear escape door, new entrance lobby,” were approved by the council’s planning committee in March.
But while an M&S spokeswoman told the Liverpool Echo that the company has identified a site on Old Hall Street as a potential location for a new store, she stopped short of comfirming the development.
She said: “We’re always looking for new locations so we can better serve our customers.
“We do have an interest in Old Hall Street but don’t have anything to confirm at the moment.”