Liverpool One passes 1m sq ft opening barrier

Grosvenor has announced eight new retail lettings at Liverpool One – taking the total shop space committed to opening on May 29 to more than 1m sq ft.

The new brands, occupying a total of 60,000 sq ft, are Gap, Monsoon, All Saints, Principles, Liverpool Football Club, Disney, Build a Bear and WH Smith.

All have taken space on South John Street, the two-level, family-focussed district anchored at one end by Debenhams and at the other by John Lewis.

The lettings still leave nearly 400,000 sq ft of retail within the scheme, though this includes committed space on Hanover Street, Church Yard, and Peters Lane which opens on 30 September.

Neil Barber, head of retail leasing at Grosvenor, said: "These latest deals, following closely behind Zara and HMV, reflect the realisation from leading retail brands that we open this year and that time is running out for them to secure the space they want in time for May 29."

"The penny has dropped en masse that Liverpool is a force to be reckoned with and the Liverpool ONE is going to be the new industry benchmark."

The look and merchandise of the new Liverpool Football Club store is being designed George Davies, of George of Asda and Next fame, who will oversee all the club's stores.

South John Street is one of five distinct districts being created within the 42-acre regeneration of the city centre.

Liverpool One's agents are Cushman & Wakefield, Strutt & Parker, and Tushingham Moore. DTZ advises the Grosvenor Liverpool Fund.