Contractor replaced on Lewis’s
Mansell has been appointed to resume work on the redevelopment of the former Lewis's department store in Liverpool's Central Village scheme following the collapse of Merepark Construction in June.
A spokesman for the development business of Merepark, unaffected by the liquidation of Merepark Construction, said: "A replacement building contractor for the Lewis's building has been sourced by the long leaseholder, Regent Capital, and construction on the building is expected to resume in the next few weeks.
"The Lewis's building is a fantastic offering and despite the delays to construction which have unfortunately been experienced, Lewis's is however still witnessing a strong pipeline of interest from businesses keen to take up units in the building. Businesses which signed up to take on units within the Lewis's building are still going through the legal processes, the outlook is positive and the companies which originally signed up to take on space in the building are still on track to do so."
The Lewis's phase of the development is funded by the Co-operative Bank.
The overall Central Village project covers six acres off Renshaw Street and Bold Street above Liverpool Central Station and is being delivered in a joint venture between Merepark and Ballymore. Later phases including an Odeon cinema and restaurant block are yet to be developed. Pre-let agreements have been signed with the Restaurant Group's Chiquito, Coast to Coast, and Indian restaurant chain Zouk Tea Bar & Grill.
An Adagio apart-hotel opened in the Lewis's building in March.
A multi-storey car park at Central Village was completed but has yet to open and is now reportedly subject of a legal dispute.