Spanish hotelier to transform Liverpool’s Coopers Building
Líbere Hospitality Group has signed a management agreement for the grade two-listed former department store, with plans in place to convert the property into a 148-bed aparthotel.
The aparthotel comes from plans submitted last summer by Seth Hotel to Liverpool City Council for the Church Street block. The project, drawn up by NC Architecture, would see the floors three to seven turned into short- and medium-stay accommodation.
LHG said its vision for the site would largely retain the building’s historic features, including its mosaic-tiled floors, glazed wall tiles, and coffered ceilings. The façade would be restored, a roof covering added, and some structure reinforcements put into place.
You can view the proposals by searching reference 25F/1951 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
Dating to the 1910s, the 48,000 sq ft building was the home to Coopers & Co department store until its closure in 1972. Since then, it has provided a mix of ground-floor retail and upper floor offices.
Coopers Building is Líbere’s second foray into the UK, with the group having opened a location off Edgeware Road in London last spring.
John Harrington, business development director for the UK & Ireland at LHG, spoke about the draw of Liverpool, describing the city as a “dynamic destination known for its maritime, football, and musical culture”.
He added: “The city draws visitors from around the world with the iconic attractions, and ready-made entertainment where Líbere offers flexible, high-quality accommodation for both leisure and business travellers alike.”
While new to the UK, LHG is well known in its home country. Founded in 2019, the firm has more than 2,300 units in its portfolio. In addition to Spain, it operates accommodation in Portugal, Italy, France, and Greece.
Good news for this fine building which on the lower floors once had one of the finest food emporiums in the UK.
Pity they don’t reinstate Coopers Alley at the side of building.
By Anonymous
Good news. Imaginative use of the building and more choice for visitors.
By Anonymous
The city centre has been allowed to turn into a mass of hotels, bars & eateries. It is no longer recognisable as my city. I was horrified walking from Central station to the town hall recently. The whole area is rowdy & stinks of garlic. Gone are the variety of stores, they’ve been mainly banished to Liverpool 1 where there are so many levels & stairways the over 50’s are excluded. Shame on the planners who have allowed greed to steal our city.
By Once Proud Scouse
@10:21. The planners are not in control of what businesses are viable. Shops that sell physical things are dying out in city centres everywhere as people shop online or in out of town retail centres, Liverpool council are not in control of this. People want hotels bars and eateries, that is why they are open.
By Anonymous
@once proud Scouse.
That’s what cities are for. Enjoy life.
By Bernie
Liverpool following the same greed as other cities now
By The mask is falling
What silly comments by the Mask,and Once Proud Scouse , every city in the UK has more places to eat and drink. Don’t you know banks and main post offices are closing all over the country. As for the greed comment, what greed, opening businesses is keeping the city alive, are you anti profit or something, you need to get out and travel a bit more. Without new businesses the high streets would be empty.
By Anonymous
@Once Proud Scouse the whole area stinks of garlic? that’s a new one. Would you prefer this building to stand empty instead? Hotels, bars & restaurants create jobs, wealth and keep downtown vibrant at all times of the day, what’s not to like about that? Liverpool 1 is full of people over 50 and there’s plenty of escalators and lifts for people who cant manage stairs.
By GetItBuilt!
What this building needs is an external fun slide to the upper stories
By Anonymous
The place would have to be soundproofed with super noise blocking window glass against Church st having windows open would be a nightmare .
By Dino
Wow. Very strange comments from once proud scouse and mask is falling. Why do people blame the council and planners Al of the time for things they don’t like. If a business wants to move to Liverpool one rather than stay in Williamson square, it’s their choice. You should be thankful that the city centre (unlike many others, including the likes of Oxford Street in. London) is relatively free of empty shops. Now Sports direct and Footlocker have opened up in Church Street, the street is full, as is Lord Street, Bold street, all of those little streets between Central Station and Whitechapel, as is Whitechapel. Would you rather they were full of empty shops? As for the comment about over 50s, what are you talking about? Being over 50 doesnt stop you being able to use stairs and if it does, it should only be down to a physical disability or bad/knees/hips, and there are numerous lifts and escalators both in the shops, and outside in Liverpool one if that is the case. If it’s not then it is down to poor lifestyle choices and you need to either get fitter, or use the lifts or escalators. What would you do in one of the variety of shops you believe are lost to get upstairs? The only shops lost relative to people over 50 are C&A, Woolworths, Littlewoods, Burtons, Top Shop, Dolcis, Sexy Rexie, George Henry Lee, Jack Sharps, Rush worths, Lewis’s, Chelsea girl etc and that is because they have all gone out of business years ago – nothing to do with, Liverpool, the council or Liverpool one. Who do you think banished businesses??? All of them had upper floors as well. Good news anyway on the hotel openung.
By Anonymous
Glad the coopers building may be put to use,better than going into disrepair.but I wonder where all the business is going to come from with so many other hotels/apart hotels within short walks away
Wasn’t the former George henry Lee building going to be a hotel at one stage? Anyway hope it all goes well
By Anonymous