A former taxi office in the heart of Liverpool city centre could be transformed into a food hall and apartments.
Proposals have been lodged with Liverpool Council’s planning department for the former Alpha Taxis site in the Wilson’s Buildings on Duke Street to be repurposed to provide new living space and communal eating space. Situated within the street’s conservation area, three new services apartments could be installed on the first and second floors.
More than 180 seats could also be provided for an additional three new eating areas under the new plans.
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According to a design and access statement, the three storey building would be repurposed to include a front reception and seating area with 25 covers. A main food hall would offer a further 125 spaces, housing two kitchens and a stage area to be used during events.
A mezzanine could also be installed above the kitchen space, offering a further 34 spaces.
New serviced apartments for paying guests are proposed above on floors one and two of the building. The statement said two, two-bedroom apart-hotel offerings would be installed on the first floor, with a living/kitchen area, bathroom and two double bedrooms.
The second floor would have a three-bedroom, five person space with similar amenities, alongside two double rooms and a single. According to a planning statement: “The change of use of the site to include a food hall will allow for new jobs to be created, which will continue to boost the economy into the future after the change of use has been carried out.”
It added how the design was intended to be a “a sensitive scheme, that brings value to the area, supporting tourism and benefiting the local economy.”
The building was previously occupied by city-wide taxi firm Alpha, who have since relocated to Childwall Fiveways. The business also has an office on St Chads Parade, Kirkby.
A date has yet to be confirmed for the proposals to be heard by the city council’s planning department.
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