Benmore secures pre-lets for Speke scheme
THE developer planning a major £30m leisure and retail scheme in Liverpool could be on site later in the year after securing a string of pre-lets.
Towerbeg, a subsidiary of the Belfast-based Benmore Group, has submitted plans for a 15-acre brownfield site near the New Mersey Retail Park off Speke Hall Road.
It wants to build hotels, a gym, restaurants and a seven-screen cinema.
It is seeking outline planning for two 120-bed hotels and a gym, and full permission for the cinema, a 78-bed hotel, a pub and restaurant and a further 16 retail units.
Colin Williams, the firm’s agent at the Manchester-based Planning Studio, said pre-lets have already been secured on most of the scheme.
“A big part is already operator-led,” said Mr Williams. “All the parts included in the full permission are all tied up by operators.” He expects work to begin on site later in the year if the plans are approved by councillors.
The developer expects the project to create 325 permanent jobs and contribute around £5.5m to the economy. Around 400 jobs will also be created during the construction phase.
Benmore is already on site at its new 123-bedroom hotel in Liverpool city centre’s Dale Street. The £10m development, which will incorporate a 285-space car park and retail units, has attracted hotel operator Ibis.
