Shipping container retail and leisure park planned for Toxteth

Proposals for a scheme in Lodge Lane, Toxteth that see the trend for shipping container-based retail and leisure come to Liverpool have been submitted to the city council.

Developer CanCo said that it will give local retailers and entrepreneurs priority in taking space at the project, which will look to replicate the success of projects such as BoxPark in Shoreditch and Croydon, and closer to home, Bruntwood’s Hatch, which has gathered pace in Manchester’s Oxford Road corridor over recent months.

CanCo’s Nathan Schreiber said: “Lodge Lane succeeds because it meets the needs of its local community and, in doing so, has become a draw for the wider city.

“It’s a big success and try finding an empty shop unit – you won’t. Our aim is to provide more room for local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in a low-cost, high quality setting.”

If granted permission the development will use refurbished, insulated shipping containers to provide 14 units of 150 sq ft, with glazed frontages, adding up to nearly 2,000 sq ft of space.

The units will be laid out around a landscaped central courtyard on a site bounded by Lodge Lane and Grierson Street, with containers painted different colours and some stacked two high.

London-registered CanCo said that it has been in constructive discussions with stakeholders to “craft the best possible scheme” and that it hopes to build the scheme out by autumn.

Schreiber said: “Liverpool Council have been very helpful. Lodge Lane is a great neighbourhood and we want to add to its appeal whilst giving local residents the opportunity to set up or expand their businesses.

“We want to provide an environment where retailers can test new concepts and products.  These are difficult times for the High Street but with the right focus on placemaking and meeting local needs we know places like Lodge Lane can continue to thrive.”