Concerns over future of city’s old offices

Aug 15 2007 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL city centre’s business district is facing a growing problem over what to do with its older office space, according to a leading commercial property agent.

Ian Steele, a partner at the Liverpool office of GVA Grimley, believes an action plan needs to be put in place to make sure office accommodation in places like Castle Street is utilised and not just left empty.

After many years in the doldrums, Liverpool’s office market has now sprung to life. New developments like 60 Chapel Street and St Paul’s Square, along with quality refurbishments at The Plaza and the Capital are steadily attracting new lettings.

Two of the city’s biggest law firms – Hill Dickinson and DWF – are leaving their current homes in the Castle Street area to move to the rapidly expanding business quarter around Old Hall Street. This leaves a question mark hanging over the space that is left behind.

“There is real issue over that to do about the space that is being left behind,” said Mr Steele.

“There are buildings in Castle Street that are listed, and in some cases refurbishing them to an acceptable standard for modern office use is not sustainable.”

However, Liverpool Vision chief executive Jim Gill disagreed. He insists the market for smaller lettings in the city remains healthy.

He said: “I don’t think there is a case here for another intervention.”

tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk