The crumbling remains of the once dominating shop on the town’s main street

The future of the collapsed former home of a major retailer in the heart of Liverpool city center remains unclear.

The derelict remains of parts of the former Rapid Hardware store have sat empty on Renshaw Street for many years as the building fell into disrepair following the closure of the store – which once dominated the south side of the street. Plans to develop the end of the terrace, off Cropper Street, into a seven-storey block of flats were approved by Liverpool City Council in 2016 – however the building remains derelict and developers YPG, who submitted the plans, are no longer involved with the site the

The building was last reported to Building Control in June 2023 when an inspection was carried out. However, the building was not considered to be dangerous. Rapid once occupied several buildings on the street, and some have now found alternative uses, such as the popular Little Hardware coffee shop.

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Section 78 of The Building Act 1984 means that buildings that are considered an imminent risk to the public can be confiscated by the local authority. But a recent assessment, carried out on Friday 17 May, found the former shop “is not in an immediately dangerous condition… and appears structurally sound”.

The building was last acquired in 2022 by the Isle of Man company Collateral Investments Ltd, which later changed its name to Schloss Roxburghe Holdings.

In February 2023, documents were submitted to the council to build a six-storey, 142-bed hotel on the site. No sign of such development has yet appeared – although a public car park has been laid out behind the crumbling structure. This is currently being investigated by the council’s planning department.

Rapid was established in 1971 and has grown to dominate part of Renshaw Street. The company went into administration in 2013 but reopened as Rapid Discount Outlet, finding a new home in the former George Henry Lee building in Houghton Street, before closing its doors in 2017.

A spokesman for Liverpool City Council said earlier this week: “An inspection in September 2022 found that the openings at the rear of the building and the gates were not fully secured. Given the poor internal condition of the property, Building Control secured the building and gates under emergency enforcement measures section 78 of the Building Act to prevent access to the building and grounds.

“The last time it was reported to Building Control was in June 2023 where it was assessed and although it was recognized as defective the building was not considered dangerous, it was considered safe so no action was taken enforcement measure.

“The building was re-inspected this afternoon (17 May) – it is still in a state of disrepair but not in an immediately dangerous condition (eg no loose debris etc) and appears to be structurally stable. structural view. Openings are secured.

“A public parking lot that has now been set up behind the building will be investigated by the town planning department.

“If Building Control becomes aware that circumstances have changed and the situation becomes dangerous, it will conduct a further inspection and take all necessary steps to remove any danger and help ensure public safety.”

Eximia Global, which manages Schloss Roxburghe Holdings, has been contacted for comment.

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