Setback in St Modwen’s plans for £150m Liverpool regeneration project

Permalink: Setback in St Modwen’s plans for £150m Liverpool regeneration project
by Lin Freestone

Negotiations have broken down between property development company St Modwen and the supermarket chain Tesco. The plan was for Tesco to be the focal point in a 45-acre, £150m development by St Modwen in north Liverpool, which would also include 480 homes, a hotel and public transport interchange.

It is speculated that St Modwen is in talks with another major supermarket chain to replace Tesco, but that Tesco, which owns a few acres of the 45-acre site, would oppose any plan to involve a rival operator.

The Great Homer Street regeneration in the Kirkdale area of Liverpool is known as Project Jennifer.

St Modwen was chosen by Liverpool City Council as preferred developer for the mixed-use project, and the plans have been endorsed by the Government’s Department of Communities and Local Government.

The developer has described the project as a very challenging and exciting opportunity to regenerate an area of Liverpool that in past years has suffered from under-investment.

The project has been subjected to protracted negotiations over the past four years, and has proceeded slowly through the compulsory purchase orders that were required on businesses in the area.

As the anchor store supermarket contributes to a large percentage of the retail offer, a firm agreement with an operator must be secured before St Modwen progresses with the scheme and continues with its land acquisitions.

The plans, which include a new home for Great Homer Street market, are seen as vital to regenerate this part of north Liverpool and will create around 800 jobs.