Boxpark picks Liverpool for first site outside London
Due to open in late 2023, the 16,000 sq ft leisure complex will be located in the historic Canning Hall, part of the Cains Brewery Village estate.
Boxpark, which operates from three locations in London, has signed a 15-year lease on the Liverpool site, which will be transformed into an all-day dining and entertainment venue through a £3.5m investment.
“We are thrilled to announce such a fantastic location for our next Boxpark venture,” said Boxpark chief executive Simon Champion.
“Our team has searched extensively for sites in Liverpool since 2016, having considered multiple locations across the city but we believe the Cains Brewery Village is perfect for this scheme.”
Boxpark Liverpool will feature a food hall and a large internal space with units set over the ground floor, a small internal mezzanine, and a 5,430 sq ft external terrace for al fresco dining.
The complex will accommodate 400 internal covers plus 200 external covers and feature 10 kitchen units, three internal bars with additional external bars.
Boxpark’s decision to plump for Liverpool ahead of other regional cities is a “perfect illustration of the city’s significant appeal to investors”, according to Cllr Sarah Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for development and economy.
“The news that Boxpark is setting up its first non-London operation in Liverpool is exciting…[it] will be a strong, high-profile addition to the Liverpool dining and leisure scene.”
Earlier this year, Liverpool City Council refused planning permission for a similar scheme put forward by Baltic Entertainment.
The developer proposed building an 18,000 sq ft leisure venue out of shipping containers within the Cains Brewery Complex.
The scheme was refused due to the city council’s concerns about the impact it would have on highways.
Cains Brewery Village managing director Harj Dusanj added: “We are incredibly excited to be welcoming the first Boxpark-branded venture outside London to Cains Brewery Village.
“Boxpark shares our passion and enthusiasm to showcase the best independent street-food businesses in the heart of Liverpool’s creative quarter.”
Property and regeneration consultancy AspinallVerdi advised Cains Brewery Village on the deal.
Andy Delaney, director and head of AspinallVerdi’s Liverpool office, said: “As a long-standing advisor on this outstanding site, I’m genuinely delighted that Boxpark chose Cains as the location for its first branded Boxpark outside of London.
“Its ground-breaking pop-up mall in Shoreditch was one of the key inspirations behind the regeneration of the former brewery and I’m sure the two organisations will create something even more special at this unique location.”
Place North West reported in July 2021 that Boxpark was in talks with Allied London over a site within the developer’s Enterprise City development.
However, that deal is now understood to be off the table.
Boxpark opened its first site in Shoreditch in 2010. A further two London venues have launched in the intervening years, one in Croydon and one in Wembley.
