Work starts at Bunker building

Capital & Centric has begun strip out and remediation work on the first phase of the Littlewoods Pools Buildings redevelopment in Liverpool.

The £4m conversion of a derelict warehouse originally designed for storage of Littlewoods catalogues and known as the 'Bunker Building' will deliver 17,500 sq ft of new office space.

This is the first phase of a wider plan to convert the iconic Littlewoods Pools building on Edge Lane into a hotel, 50,000 sq ft of business units and further 50,000 sq ft of offices.

The concrete structure is being retained and a brand new building block inserted into the existing fabric, new parking facilities and landscaping will be created.

The initial strip out work will be complete by Christmas.

Cllr Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: "It is fantastic to see building work getting underway on this important project. It is a great example of the work Capital & Centric is doing in this city to develop sites, bring buildings back into use and deliver valuable new office space.

"It's about continuing to work with our partners to unlock new investment, create jobs and drive forward development. I'm looking forward to seeing this scheme – on a what is a major gateway into the city – progressing in the coming months."

Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric, said: "It's exciting to get the first phase of the Littlewoods project started, the Bunker building will create very cool office space, different to anything else in the area."Capital & Centric signed a £1.1m gap funding agreement with the European Regional Development Fund for phase one of the former Littlewoods Pools site in September.

The money is being matched with £1.1m from Capital & Centric's Business Premises Renovation Allowance fund.

Capital & Centric acquired the building in April from the Homes & Communities Agency and received planning consent earlier this year.