Metquarter helps Liverpool rival Manchester for fashionRetailers and shopper both predict Liverpool’s upmarket shopping centre Metquarter will establish the city as a fashion destination to rival Manchester.
The 150,000sq ft centre, developed by Milligan, opened last week, and is anchored by a 17,500sq ft Flannels store and include Armani Exchange and Hugo Boss stores. All three are new to the city.
Retailers said they were confident the scheme, along with the Liverpool One development due to open in 2008, would create a comprehensive fashion offer for shoppers in the city.
Whistles and Coast have stores at Metquarter and Mosaic Fashions chief executive Derek Lovelock said: “It’s a well executed scheme that will work if it keeps its upmarket tenant mix. There might be some overlap with Liverpool One, but both will mean there’ll be less reason to leave the city for places like the Trafford Centre.”
Gieves & Hawkes retail operations manager Ray Clacher said that Metquarter had enabled the retailer to return to the city after 40 years.
“The centre has made good, modern space available in the city. But this isn’t just a flagship store for us and we fully intended it to make money,” he said.
The centre went down well with local shoppers. Janet Goodwin from Liverpool said: “It’s a shame lots of shops weren’t open on the first day, but it’s about time we had something like this in the city. Liverpool has slipped down the league of shopping cities, and this should redress the balance.”
Student Mellisa Jenkins agreed: “I do go shopping in the city centre, but I go to Manchester a lot too, especially if I want designer brands. The Metquarter means that I won’t have to travel, and the Liverpool One scheme will give us even more choice when it arrives.”
Around 15 of the centre’s 48 stores opened on the first day, including All Saints, Levi’s and Aspecto, while Flannels and Hugo Boss opened this week. Kurt Geiger and Bratz are among those opening in the next few weeks.
By Marino Donati