Former Watson Prickard Store Set to be Converted into Apartments

Developer Legacie has proposed converting the former Watson Prickard fashion store in Liverpool into 55 one-bedroom apartments.

The building, known as 1 Union Court, is located at the corner of Cook Street and North John Street and was home to Watson Prickard, a department store that first opened in 1893. Over the years, it transformed into a fashionable outlet for men and women, famously featuring a large train set on the top floor. Many local radio listeners still recall the catchy 1980s jingle: “Tell us the place where real style is back in fashion.”

The store closed permanently in 2010, but the Watson Prickard name still adorns the top of the building. The upper floors have since been repurposed for office use, with industrial tribunals previously held on one of those floors. Currently, the ground floor hosts a Slug & Lettuce bar and restaurant, which will remain unaffected by the new residential plans.

Previous attempts to convert the site into a hotel in 2019 were unsuccessful. However, Legacie's latest proposal, submitted to Liverpool City Council, aims to transform 36,000 square feet of office space into apartments, while the Slug & Lettuce will continue to operate as normal.

The design of the project will be handled by Liverpool architects Falconer Chester Hall, with Savills advising Legacie on the planning process.

In recent years, Legacie has established itself as one of Liverpool’s busiest developers, completing its £90 million Parliament Square residential project in August. This development features 500 apartments spread across four blocks in the Baltic Triangle and is expected to generate £1 million annually in council tax and business rates for Liverpool City Council. The apartments range from one to three bedrooms, with building heights varying from eight to 18 storeys.

Additionally, Legacie is working on One Park Lane, which involves redeveloping the historic Heap’s Mill Rice Factory, and is also developing a 656-unit residential scheme called The Gateway on Leeds Street.