Marks and Spencer has officially opened its new store in Liverpool ONE, after relocating from Church Street. The brand-new store, in the former Debenhams building, opened for the first time on Tuesday morning. However there have been concerns about what will become of the former site on Church street.
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00:00 The brand new Marks and Spencers opened in Liverpool 1 on Tuesday.
00:05 Their 70,000 square foot store will offer local shoppers a fresh market style food hall
00:10 as well as clothing, home and beauty departments.
00:14 Inside the food hall customers will find a bakery, a dedicated wine shop and a cafe.
00:19 We've been on the streets of Liverpool to see what you think of the move.
00:23 A little bit obsessed but you've got to get used to it you know.
00:27 I just don't know where everything is like I used to go in and out that's it, that's it, that's it you know.
00:33 Yeah, probably be alright in a while. Maybe I'm just being awkward.
00:38 It's good, I'm glad because it's definitely a building space.
00:41 You know it's a shame it was less empty so I made up my mind to go in there.
00:45 I wasn't really happy at first because I think it's going to be a waste of a lovely building
00:49 but the building was a bit far apart so I think it'd be nice and Liverpool aren't a nice area.
00:55 You don't like coming to this part of town, she prefers going to Liverpool one.
00:59 Around 70% smaller than its former home, the shop employs more than 320 staff.
01:05 Concerns have been raised about the future of the prominent former site on Church Street in the city centre
01:11 which has been home to the store since 1930.
01:15 How sad. I think it's going to be a huge, I just walked past it then and thought
01:21 commercially it's a problem for Liverpool City. What's going to fill it?
01:28 I can understand the commercial need, it's a huge building, it's old.
01:33 It's not that long ago that there were bits falling off it.
01:37 So I can see from their point of view, there'll be a landlord, it won't be owned by Marks & Spencers, I don't suppose.
01:44 But from a trading point of view, I guess it's been a big decision for them.
01:50 I hope it works for them.
01:52 It's going to get wasted, I think it's just going to be pumped in and lifted away by Georgian Leasers.
01:56 And then all the little shops are going to do nothing for it.
01:59 So I think it's probably better to be in hostels.
02:02 It'll be something like Mrs Holmes store as well, all the different shops are going in there aren't they?
02:07 I haven't been right in it, I've gone about upstairs.
02:10 I don't have to use all of that, yes.
02:13 Given that it's a very retail based area, I mean initially my instinct at the moment is that we're woefully short of housing and accommodation.
02:24 And so you think that some of these commercial buildings could be modified, could be made into flats, low cost etc.
02:33 We have so many homeless.
02:35 But in real terms, looking at it, I don't think it would be feasible.
02:41 I guess, we hope, that a sensible retailer, although it's not a good market at the moment is it?
02:49 People, it's a cost of living crisis.
02:52 I like it the old way, you know you go in, you know where that is, that is, that is.
02:59 They said to me, you should be, you're here all the time, which I am here all the time.