Liverpool ONE
Liverpool ONE is a major open-air shopping, dining, leisure, residential and public-space development in central Liverpool.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Liverpool ONE is a retail-led mixed-use development in central Liverpool, England. It occupies a large area of the city centre and combines high-street and premium retail, restaurants, entertainment, hotels, apartments, offices, public spaces, transport infrastructure and an urban park. Rather than operating as a single product company, Liverpool ONE functions as a destination brand and managed property complex whose identity is built around the integration of shopping, leisure, hospitality and civic space. The development was created through the redevelopment of approximately 42 acres of central Liverpool land. Its regeneration programme was intended to reconnect the city centre with the waterfront, improve the quality and continuity of the retail environment, and create a destination capable of attracting both local residents and visitors. The project was publicly branded as Liverpool ONE in November 2005, replacing the earlier Paradise Street Development Area identity. Construction began in 2004 after archaeological and site investigations, including work around the former Chavasse Park and the historic Old Dock area. Liverpool ONE opened in stages during 2008, a significant moment for Liverpool because the city was European Capital of Culture that year. The principal retail and leisure elements opened on 29 May and 1 October 2008, while the final residential units followed in early 2009. Its design was deliberately varied: different sections were assigned to different architectural practices, producing a collection of streets, squares, arcades and buildings rather than one enclosed mall. This open-air format, together with the reuse of some existing buildings and the creation of Chavasse Park, became one of the development's defining characteristics. The destination is anchored by major department-store and fashion retailers, historically including John Lewis and Debenhams, with Marks & Spencer subsequently taking the place of Debenhams after the latter's Liverpool ONE store closed in March 2021. Its retail offer has included fashion, beauty, sportswear, homeware, technology, books and specialist goods. The complex also contains the Odeon Liverpool ONE multiplex, restaurants, hotels and attractions such as Gravity MAX and a large mini-golf venue. Chavasse Park provides landscaped public space above part of the underground parking structure and serves as a major amenity for visitors and residents. Transport is central to the scheme. The Liverpool ONE bus station, formerly the Paradise Street Interchange, and associated car parks provide arrival infrastructure at the edge of the retail district. The development also established pedestrian routes linking the established Church Street and Paradise Street shopping areas with the waterfront and newer retail streets such as South John Street, Peter's Lane and Hanover Street. Liverpool ONE has been credited with strengthening Liverpool's visitor economy and helping place the city among the United Kingdom's leading retail destinations. It has also generated debate. Critics have argued that the development diverted trade from established areas and independent businesses, contributing to vacancy or decline in parts of the traditional shopping district. Civil-liberties and public-space groups have questioned how publicly accessible streets are managed within privately developed environments, although the streets remain subject to arrangements with Liverpool City Council and applicable local byelaws. In December 2024, Landsec acquired Liverpool ONE from Grosvenor Group. The ownership change marked a new phase for the destination, while its core role remained that of a large, open-air, mixed-use city-centre asset serving Liverpool's residents, regional shoppers, tourists and leisure visitors.
History
Liverpool ONE developed from the Paradise Street regeneration programme in central Liverpool. The scheme sought to redevelop a substantial area of underused or cleared city-centre land and create a stronger connection between the traditional retail core, the waterfront and surrounding transport routes. The location also contained historically significant sites. Chavasse Park covered the remains of buildings damaged during the Second World War, while the Canning Place area related to the former Old Dock, an important part of Liverpool's maritime history. Archaeological investigation formed part of the early works. The project adopted its Liverpool ONE name in November 2005. Before the main buildings were constructed, enabling works included a new bus interchange and a multi-storey car park. These facilities opened in November 2005 and allowed the former Paradise Street bus station and car park to be removed, clearing space for the main retail and leisure development. The Moat House Hotel was demolished in 2005, and remaining buildings along Paradise Street were progressively cleared as replacement premises became available. Construction of the principal development began in 2004, with excavation around Chavasse Park preceding the main building programme. By July 2006, Herbert's Hairdressers had become the first business to move into a new Liverpool ONE premises, occupying the distinctive building later associated with the development's varied architectural character. BBC Radio Merseyside also moved to new premises on Hanover Street during this phase. A topping-out ceremony for the John Lewis building took place in August 2006. In 2007, work began to reinstate Chavasse Park, including the creation of landscaped terraces above the underground car park. Liverpool ONE opened in phases in 2008, coinciding with Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture. The first major opening took place on 29 May, followed by another substantial opening on 1 October. Residential construction continued beyond the main retail launch, with the final apartments opening in early 2009. The result was not a conventional enclosed shopping centre but a network of open-air streets, arcades, squares and public spaces. Different architectural teams designed different parts, creating a deliberately varied townscape. The main districts include Hanover Street, Peter's Lane, New Manesty's Lane, Paradise Street, South John Street, Chavasse Park and the Point of Arrival transport area. Retail is concentrated around major anchor stores and a broad mix of national and international brands. John Lewis became one of the principal anchors, while Debenhams occupied another major position until its Liverpool ONE store closed in March 2021. Marks & Spencer later assumed the former Debenhams role in mid-2023. The complex has also housed specialist and premium retail concepts, including Harvey Nichols' Beauty Bazaar, as well as fashion, beauty, sports, home and lifestyle operators. Leisure and hospitality expanded the development beyond shopping. Odeon Liverpool ONE opened on 1 October 2008 after relocating from London Road. The multiplex includes 14 screens and more than 3,000 seats. The complex also includes restaurants and cafés, hotels such as Hilton Liverpool and Novotel Liverpool Centre, residential apartments and offices. Chavasse Park functions as both an amenity and an organising feature, rising in terraces toward the leisure and restaurant areas and incorporating routes such as Sugar House Steps. The underground car park sits below part of the park, while the bus station provides a principal public-transport arrival point. The development was widely viewed as a major regeneration success and was associated with increased visitor activity and improved economic performance in Liverpool's centre. It also won industry recognition, including a MAPIC award in 2009. At the same time, its scale and retail concentration produced criticism. The Open Spaces Society raised concerns about the treatment of public rights of way and the possibility that access to city-centre streets could become increasingly controlled within privately managed developments. Other critics argued that Liverpool ONE drew customers away from established locations such as Bold Street, Cavern Walks, St John's Shopping Centre, the Metquarter and parts of the Lime Street and Ranelagh Street areas, potentially weakening smaller and independent businesses. Ownership remained with Grosvenor Group for much of the development's history. In December 2024, Landsec acquired the centre. Liverpool ONE therefore entered a new ownership period while retaining its established position as one of the United Kingdom's largest open-air shopping and mixed-use destinations.
- 2024
Landsec becomes owner
[1]Landsec acquired Liverpool ONE from Grosvenor Group in December 2024.
- 2023
Marks & Spencer becomes replacement anchor
[1]Marks & Spencer took the former Debenhams position in mid-2023.
- 2021
Debenhams store closes
[1]Debenhams closed its Liverpool ONE anchor store in March 2021.
- 2009
Liverpool ONE receives MAPIC recognition
[1]The development won a MAPIC award following its opening and regeneration impact.
- 2009
Final residential units open
[1]The last residential units associated with the development opened in early 2009.
- 2008
Main retail and leisure phases open
[1]The principal phases opened on 29 May and 1 October during Liverpool's European Capital of Culture year.
- 2008
Odeon Liverpool ONE opens
[1]The relocated Odeon Liverpool ONE multiplex opened with 14 screens and more than 3,000 seats.
- 2007
Chavasse Park reinstatement begins
[1]Work began to rebuild and landscape Chavasse Park above the underground car park.
- 2006
First businesses move into the development
[1]Herbert's Hairdressers and BBC Radio Merseyside moved into new premises, marking the occupation of early Liverpool ONE buildings.
- 2005
Liverpool ONE name announced
[1]Grosvenor unveiled Liverpool ONE as the public brand for the central Liverpool regeneration project.
Products and positioning
A large, open-air city-centre destination that combines mainstream and premium retail with dining, entertainment, hospitality, transport access and landscaped public space.
Retail destination · 2008
Retail streets and stores
Liverpool ONE provides a broad retail mix across open-air streets, arcades and squares. Its offer has included department stores, fashion, beauty, sportswear, footwear, homeware, books, technology and specialist lifestyle retailers. Key areas include Paradise Street, South John Street, Peter's Lane, Hanover Street and New Manesty's Lane. John Lewis and Marks & Spencer serve as major anchors, while the scheme has also accommodated premium and specialist concepts such as Harvey Nichols' Beauty Bazaar.
Food, beverage and hotels · 2008
Dining and hospitality
Restaurants, cafés, bars and hotels form a substantial part of the Liverpool ONE destination. Dining has ranged from fast-casual and international chains to sit-down restaurants, with venues concentrated around South John Street, Chavasse Park and the leisure level. The development also includes major hotel accommodation, including Hilton Liverpool and Novotel Liverpool Centre, supporting overnight tourism and city-centre activity.
Cinema · 2008
Odeon Liverpool ONE
Odeon Liverpool ONE is a multiplex cinema located within the South John Street leisure area. It opened on 1 October 2008 following the relocation of Odeon's former Liverpool cinema from London Road. The venue opened with 14 screening rooms and more than 3,000 seats, making it one of the development's principal entertainment anchors.
Public park and public realm · 2008
Chavasse Park
Chavasse Park is the landscaped green centrepiece of Liverpool ONE. The park was reinstated as part of the redevelopment and is arranged in terraces leading toward the leisure and restaurant areas. It provides open space, event potential, seating and pedestrian routes while also concealing part of the development's underground parking structure.
Transport infrastructure · 2005
Liverpool ONE bus station
The Liverpool ONE bus station, formerly known as the Paradise Street Interchange, is the main public-transport arrival point for the development. It replaced the former Paradise Street bus station and was designed to support multiple bus stands and services serving the city centre and surrounding region.
Leisure and entertainment
Leisure attractions
Beyond cinema and dining, Liverpool ONE includes indoor and family-oriented leisure attractions. The development has included Gravity MAX and a large mini-golf centre, broadening its role from a shopping centre into an all-day visitor destination.
Brand decisions
2024
Transfer ownership to LandsecM&ABackground
Liverpool ONE had been owned by Grosvenor Group for much of its operating history.
Action taken
Landsec acquired the centre from Grosvenor Group in December 2024.
Aftermath
The transaction began a new ownership phase for Liverpool ONE while preserving its role as a major mixed-use destination.
2021
Replace the Debenhams anchor after closureOtherBackground
Debenhams' Liverpool ONE store closed in March 2021 as part of the retailer's wider business failure and estate reduction.
Action taken
The former anchor location was subsequently taken by Marks & Spencer.
Aftermath
Marks & Spencer began operating from the former Debenhams position in mid-2023, maintaining a major department-store presence in the scheme.
2008
Launch the open-air mixed-use destinationProduct launchBackground
Liverpool sought to regenerate a large central site and strengthen the connection between its established shopping core and waterfront.
Action taken
The retail, leisure, public-space and transport elements opened in phases during 2008, followed by completion of the residential component in early 2009.
Aftermath
Liverpool ONE became one of the city's principal shopping and visitor destinations and was associated with increased central-city activity.
2005
Adopt the Liverpool ONE destination brandStrategyBackground
The large Paradise Street regeneration programme required a distinct public identity that could unite its retail, leisure, residential, transport and public-space components.
Action taken
Grosvenor announced Liverpool ONE as the name and destination brand for the redevelopment.
Aftermath
The name became associated with the new open-air city-centre district and its subsequent retail and leisure operations.
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