Food hall plans considered for former market

The market could become a food hall or a training centre, the council said

The site of the former market could become a food hall or a training centre, the council has said.

Liverpool's St Johns Market closed a year ago in a row over money after Liverpool City Council said it had failed to recover unpaid rent and service charges.

Options for the site are now being taken forward to the next stage.

Liverpool City Council cabinet member for growth and economy Nick Small said it was a "prime location" for a leisure, food and beverage offering.

The market underwent a £2.5m refurbishment in 2016 which traders described as "drab"

"We are pleased to be able to announce there are options for St Johns Market," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Leisure food and beverage would add a lot of value to that part of the city," he said.

"Markets are going from strength to strength.

"We have got markets back into the city centre, we've got investment into destination markets that people from across Liverpool and beyond want to visit."

A training facility is also being considered for the site.

The market, which was founded in 1822, underwent a £2.5m refurbishment in 2016, which was described by traders at the time as "drab".

That led to former mayor Joe Anderson agreeing to waive traders' rent for a number of years.

After the pandemic, it was reinstated but Liverpool City Council said it was never paid.

In 2023 the authority said it would seek to recover three years' worth of arrears from the dozens of businesses but after months of negotiations failed in March 2024 the council said it was left with "no option" but to shut the market.

Speaking to the LDRS in December, council chief Liam Robinson said the authority was continuing to pursue the outstanding debts from businesses.

Small said assessments would be made as to the amount of capital investment needed that would "bring the market into the 21st century".