Is Liverpool About To Become A World Class Business Location
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet has formally endorsed a Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) which could lead to the delivery of up to two million sq ft of new commercial space in the city centre over the next 15 years.The Commercial Business District (CBD) SRF has identified 12 key sites as places for possible expansion in a bid to address the district’s falling supply of Grade A office space and enable Liverpool to compete with other UK cities in attracting major companies.The CBD SRF, which was proposed to the public this summer, also provides an overarching vision, design guidelines and development principles to direct future growth and enhance connectivity with neighboring areas such as Peel’s £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme and the emerging Ten Streets in North Liverpool.Arup developed the document as the project lead and town planning consultants, architects and master planners shedkm, heritage consultant Rob Burns, and property consultant Worthington Owen.Liverpool BID Company, other company private sector, private sector partners and the city council, jointly commissioned the SRF with a brief to develop the vibrancy and attractiveness of CBD.The overriding objective of the wider CDB – SRF is to enable business growth, inward investment and job creation, will successfully deliver place-making with environment enhancements, improved connections and complimentary retail and leisure users, making CBD a desirable place to be, day and night.This is vital to grow the City’s office market and facilitate a step-change in Liverpool’s office economy.Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:
“To be a world class business location a city needs a commercial district that can offer opportunity, flexibility, connectivity and quality - in its buildings and its streets.“The supply of Grade A office space is critical to attracting major investors and jobs and this Spatial Regeneration Framework will underpin our long-term vision to deliver that.“This SRF shows that Liverpool’s potential is huge. All the ingredients are there to transform our ambitions into reality. We must now maximise every opportunity to ensure our commercial district fulfils its role as a major engine in the Liverpool Powerhouse and UK economy.”