// Decathlon is to open a flagship store on Church Street in Liverpool city centre, taking part of the former Next store
// The store is set to open at the end of April
Decathlon is to open a flagship store in Liverpool city centre as it takes part of the former Next store.
The sporting goods retailer, which has around 50 stores in the UK, has agreed a 15-year lease on 30,000 sq ft of ground and first floor space in the six-storey building on Church Street for the store which will open at the end of April.
Decathlon regional property director Luke Fillingham said: “Church Street is a prime location at the very heart of Liverpool city centre and one of the busiest high streets in the UK.
“Liverpool has a great history of sporting culture and we are confident that our unique range of sports products and services will achieve our goal of making the benefits of sport more accessible to the people of Liverpool, and the North West.”
READ MORE: Decathlon poaches Ikea digital boss for new chief executive
Next vacated the store, which was formerly 80,000 sq ft, in 2020. Real estate investment manager Redevco has spent £2.25m redeveloping the site into three separate units that will accommodate a wider mix of uses.
Alongside Decathlon, storage unit operator StoreAway has taken on the remaining 36,000 sq ft on the upper parts of the building on a 15-year lease. It
Redevco asset manager Claire Yeadon said: “We are delighted to have secured these lettings and guaranteed a future for the building which is not entirely reliant on retail.
“Creative asset management is now key for these types of buildings. The future of our town and city centres is about providing mixed-use offers that meet the demands of the local catchment.”
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