SHOPPERS have hailed the takeover of a giant Grade II-listed former M&S store as a “huge boost” for the area.
The Frasers Group, which owns the Sports Direct brand, has acquired Compton House on Liverpool’s famous Church Street.
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The group, owned by businessman Mike Ashley, said the 93,000 square feet site will become the new flagship store for Sports Direct.
An Everlast Gym will also share the space, subject to planning approval, in a boost for fitness fanatics.
The Frasers Group did not confirm an exact date for when the new Sports Direct branch will open its doors.
It comes after M&S vacated the Grade II-listed building last August, taking on a unit site in the city’s nearby One Shopping Centre.
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James France, head of acquisitions at the Frasers Group, said: “We are pleased to confirm that we have acquired Compton House located on Liverpool’s renowned Church Street.
“We are big believers in physical retail and this acquisition marks an exciting time for the Group as we continue to expand our store portfolio across the UK and Europe.
“As the UK’s leading destination for sportswear, we are looking forward to bringing Liverpool customers a next-generation sports retail experience with the opening of a 70,000 sq. ft Sports Direct flagship store featuring the world’s biggest sports brands.”
Locals have come out to heap praise on the move by the Frasers Group, with one branding it “amazing news”.
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Another said: “This will be a huge boost for Church Street,” while a third added: “It’s a good shout for Sports Direct it’ll look fantastic.”
A fourth said: “Great move,” and a fifth optimistic local commented: “Good news. One less empty shop.”
It comes as the Frasers Group looks to expand and diversify its portfolio, as it opens new “concept stores” across the UK.
The first store of this kind, featuring popular brands like Sports Direct and Game, opened in Norwich last September.
And two others have opened in Blackpool and Sheffield in recent months.
That’s not all. In December, the Frasers Group also snapped up luxury clothing retailer Matches Fashion in a deal worth £52million.
But it’s not been all good news as the group has been closing branches as well.
It shut its Sports Direct branch in Central Six Retail Park, Coventry, on January 21, according to local news reports, with plans to open another branch in the city centre.
The group said it would close its Swindon branch in early 2024 too, but did not confirm an exact date.
Meanwhile, it also launched a giant closing down sale before shutting a Sports Direct branch in Blackpool in November.
And Sports Direct Fitness shut a site in Salisbury for good on December 11 to the shock of members.
Game, also owned by the Frasers Group, will have also shuttered three branches in Exeter, Witney and Huntingdon by the end of January.
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And in October, House of Fraser confirmed it will close its branch in Lakeside Shopping Centre, Grays, in January.
It closed three stores in 2023, including in Cardiff, Guildford and Birmingham.
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