Liverpool One's ex-Debenhams store gets major leisure tenant in multimillion deal

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Apr 25, 2022

A double plus for Liverpool One. The city’s major mall, co-owned by property giant Grosvenor, has signed a replacement to fill the former Debenhams space while also ticking the now-essential ‘experiences’ box for shopping centres.

Leisure and entertainment company Gravity Active Entertainment has taken over the vacant site with plans for a 100,000 sq ft active experience.
 
Representing a £10 million investment and set to open in Q4 this year, the new venue will span the two upper floors of the former Debenhams. It will be its first venue to feature an outside rooftop space that will be integrated into the overall experience.

The venue will house a unique e-karting experience, bowling, urban golf and modern F&B offering with a bar concept and live entertainment.
The addition will be seen as an added incentive to draw visitors to the mall that has seen almost 40 brands – totalling over 280,000 sq ft – signed, opened or renewed in the last 12 months. Grosvenor said sales at the destination in 2021 were 11.5% up versus 2019.
 
Alison Clegg, managing director, Asset Management, Grosvenor, said: “This signing reinforces Liverpool One’s credentials as the UK’s leading retail and entertainment destination.  It also makes great sense to be bringing such an exciting concept to Liverpool as the UK’s most sociable city, it is the perfect home for Gravity.”
 
Michael Harrison, co-founder and chief growth officer at Gravity, added: “This is our biggest investment yet. Gravity is at the forefront of the trend for more leisure-led hospitality experiences, and has become a household name.”