Queensberry has announced a landmark letting at its Metquarter asset. It has obtained planning permission that will allow Liverpool media, music and performing arts institution LMA to open a brand new state of the art teaching campus at the repurposed shopping centre.
LMA, which is co-owned by singer and performer Robbie Williams, is set to invest more than £15 million into the new campus and will provide more than 100 new jobs. LMA has taken a 25 year lease in this ground breaking deal. The 50,000 sq. ft university campus will open September 2020 and will occupy the majority of the first floor of the building. Over 500 students will frequent the building every day bringing new life and activity to the remainder of the centre and the surrounding neighbourhood. This will further enhance and reanimate the area.
Queensberry has injected new life into the Metquarter over the past 18 months with a major refurbishment and new occupiers including local fashion stalwarts Cricket and Kids Cavern as well as national cinema operator Everyman Cinema. There are also rumours of a major food hall opening to be announced shortly that will sit alongside the LMA facilities supporting students and shoppers alike. This will bring the Metquarter back to a significantly let position in a market place that has been greatly challenged. The repositioning of the building is now being seen as a shining example of how to repurpose retail property.
Alex Hyams, Asset Manager for Queensberry said: ‘We’re very excited by the prospect of bringing LMA’s new campus to the Metquarter. It’s terrific news for Liverpool and the scheme. LMA will attract the next generation of creative talent to their new state of the art campus at Metquarter. This in turn will reinvigorate the upper floors and help us deliver a thriving retail and leisure offer throughout the rest of the centre.
“We are continuously working across the country on opportunities to improve the vitality of the spaces we look after and this is a great example of repurposing traditional retail space to create a more sustainable and dynamic blend of uses suitable for the long term.”
Plans for the new campus include state-of-the-art film studios, dance studios, music rehearsal rooms, classrooms and recording studios.
Robbie Williams, who became a co-owner of the business in 2019 after being wowed by its choir on The X Factor, said: “Since meeting the LMA Choir two years ago and later joining the LMA family, I’ve been constantly inspired by their sheer drive, dedication and passion.
“Liverpool is known for being home to some amazing talent and LMA is testament to that. I’m so proud to be part of its incredible journey, especially as the staff and students take their next steps in expanding across the city.”
Queensberry are now working with all of their new tenants to create a Metquarter Community that will enhance and promote all the benefits and synergies between its new tenants in the arts, fashion and catering sectors. This will make the Metquarter one of Liverpool’s creative hot spots.
