Liverpool leisure scheme gets sign-off
Plans to develop the former Rat & Parrot Pub in Queen Square into a retail and leisure complex have been given the go ahead by the city council.
The £1m redevelopment near to Liverpool Lime Street train station and the bus interchange is being undertaken by Neptune Investments, the developer behind Queen Square and the regeneration of New Brighton.
DK-Architects designed the project, which will see the installation of a new facade with perforated aluminium cladding and glazing. LED lighting will be incorporated to project lighting effects over Queen Square at night.
The 14,500 sq ft building will be home to a mix of leisure units on the lower level, with the top two floors occupied by a restaurant/bar with an outdoor rooftop terrace.
The developer aim to start on site with the works imminently.
Daniel Hynd, investment director of Neptune, said: "It's great that we have secured planning for the dramatic changes to the former Rat & Parrot building.
"We've already had a lot of interest from some fantastic international operators for the newly formed units and hope to be in a position to announce some names in the next couple of months.
"The building has become an eyesore on what is a very prominent corner at one of Liverpool's busiest transport hubs, so we were keen to regain control of the building to give it a facelift. The plans will transform the building and will enhance the rest of the Queen square estate.
"We want to get on site as soon as possible to start work, so we can get tenants in and operating hopefully prior to Christmas."
I’m all for this happening and wish them well – but have my reservations about the crossings and pedestrian element. Given so many people have been knocked down here at the former ‘bubble bus stops’ and the corner near the rat and parrot is a very dangerous crossing with not a lot of pavement! I imagine they will be bringing different demographic to the site other than adult drinkers – so more children and families crossing? mind you saying that the children may be better at crossing than the drunks but joking aside needs looking at!
By Bob Dawson