Liverpool Fruit Exchange to get long-awaited reset
The city council planning committee met today to rubber-stamp an 81-bed hotel conversion and an over-55’s residential scheme in Norris Green.
The Fruit Exchange
JSM Company Group’s application was granted approval to carry out internal and external alterations to the Fruit Exchange building.
The grade-two listed building, situated between Victoria Street and Mathew Street, previously received conversion approval in April 2020, but the pandemic caused the application to expire.
In a slight alteration to the previous application, there will now be a bar instead of several rooms on the first floor, which can also be accessed externally from Mathew Street.
The 41,300 sq ft hotel will also include a newly built restaurant.
The scheme is a “sensitive conversion” of the building, with the council’s heritage officer expressing her comfort in the plans during the meeting.
To improve accessibility, the addition of a track hoist in at least one hotel room was required before the application was approved.
The Fruit Exchange was originally built in 1888 as a railway goods depot, before converting to the ‘sweet-smelling’ market of its namesake in 1923.
Its convenient location in the middle of Liverpool City Centre is key for its transition to a hotel.
All new elements have been designed by Wroot Design, and Townscape is the heritage consultant.
To view the plans, search for application reference number 23F/1013 on Liverpool City Council’s website.
Stockmoor Road
An application from Cobalt Housing to develop a one acre vacant corner of Norris Green has also been accepted.
The housing association’s 50-home project will sit on the corner of East Lancashire Road and Stockmoor Road and operate as an over-55’s scheme, combining accommodation with care support services.
The 54,200 sq ft apartment complex will be split into 35 two-bed and 15 one-bed flats.
Flats will be spread across three floors, with the applicant confirming 100% of the properties will be affordable.
Emphasis has been placed on a design that will cater to residents as they age and require greater accessibility – a dementia suite is also included in the plans.
There will be 18 car parking spaces to accommodate those who live in the apartments.
The land has been left undeveloped since 2008 when a 1960s tower was demolished.
BTP Architects, Nova Acoustics, Hunt & Associates, Redmore Environmental, MEC Consulting, and Sutcliffe are on the project team.
The application reference number 23F/1461 can be used to find the project on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
Once again a pitiful,weak, agenda with nothing exciting afoot, the planning portal at present is full of applications for tree works, HMOs, house extensions, and communications masts.
At least this proposed hotel gives a glimmer of hope, and the sooner works start the better.
By Anonymous
Wow that corner on the Lancs and Lower House Lane where the block of flats has been gone for years is finally being developed.
By David
What another hotel really how about revitalizing Church Street & bring the old George Henry lees Department Store it was one of the most amazing stores along with Hendersons & Lewis ‘s as much we have Primark and shop closing down constantly in Liverpool one although I’m happy to see the swatch watch has returned &the return of uniglo why should we have to spend our money in Manchester where they have really high end department stores our economy is losing out on this Church Street should be the Oxford street of Liverpool City centre
By Anonymous
@Anon 8.25pm, the City Council don’t help things by allowing the rough sleepers and beggars around Church St, some with permanent tents. I was told by a council worker people have 5 days to remove their blankets and cardboard, meanwhile in Manchester they move it right away. Church St should be doing much better if only the streets were as tidy as Liverpool One.
By Anonymous