Duke Street site lined up for food hall

Plans have been lodged with Liverpool City Council for the conversion of the former Alpha Taxis office on the busy city centre street.

Advised by planner Pegasus Group and architect Studio 256, applicant ASD Liverpool wants to turn the 3,450 sq ft building into a 180-capacity food hall, with three multi-roomed serviced apartments above.

The food hall area will also include prep kitchens and a bar, an events space with a stage, and a mezzanine area.

As outlined in Studio 256’s design and access statement, the site is located in the Wilson’s Buildings within the Duke Street Conservation Area.

Although surrounded by listed buildings, it is not itself listed. As Studio 256 describes it, “the existing building has a recognisable frontage with render and detailing over large windows. Internally the building has large open areas with exposed roof structure within the rear two storey element and within the second floor of the main building to the front”.

Of the two access points from Duke Street, the left hand door will be used for aparthotel guests and to access the kitchens, with the main food hall area being accessed through the right hand door.

The front reception area will have 25 covers, and the main dining area 125 covers, along with the stage area. The mezzanine will house 34 covers.

The two aparthotel suites at first floor level will each have two bedrooms, accommodating up to four people, and the second floor unit will have three bedrooms, sleeping five.

Windows and skylights will be added to the second floor space, and the façade brought up to standard.

Pegasus’ planning statement draws on different parts of the Liverpool Local Plan to support the applicant’s case, on the grounds of the Ropewalks area supporting mixed-use development, and a further policy backing projects that support tourism and culture.

The change of use plans for 9-11 Duke Street can be viewed on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal with the reference 23F/2837.