Hotel plan for Liverpool's Littlewoods building

The art deco property was built in the 1930s

Liverpool's Littlewoods building could become a hotel, if plans submitted to the council are approved.

Developer Capital and Centric has applied to acquire the art deco building on Edge Lane and turn it into a hotel.

It also wants to provide business and commercial space, potentially creating hundreds of jobs.

The property was built in the 1930s for Sir John Moores and his brother Cecil to house their football pools business.

It was designed by Scottish Architect Gerald de Courcey Fraser, who also designed a number of department stores for Lewis's.

'New life'

It has been empty for more than 10 years, and is now part of a portfolio of former Regional Development Agency assets owned and managed by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The HCA has been in discussions with Liverpool City Council - which owns the freehold - and Capital and Centric Plc for several months.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: "This is a really positive step forward in bringing the historic Littlewoods building back into use.

"This important Liverpool landmark has lain empty for too long and we are determined to do all we can to secure its future.

"These are exciting proposals that would bring massive investment needed to breathe new life into the building.

"We're now looking forward to working with Capital and Centric PLC to develop the plans further."

Tim Heatley, Co-Founder of Capital and Centric Plc said: "We want to breathe new life into the building and create a hotel with more than 100 beds.

"We also want to create office space and business units.

"One of the key advantages of our development is that it will allow the public to come back into the building again."

If the plans are approved, Capital and Centric hope to start refurbishment works as early as summer 2013.