Liverpool’s historic Coopers Building advances as plans for hotel conversion emerge

Plans to transform the historic Coopers Building’s upper floors into a high-rise hotel move forward, spotlighting ongoing regeneration of Liverpool’s genteel shopping era landmarks and boosting the city’s visitor economy.

A prominent Liverpool building from the “era of genteel shopping” is set to receive a new lease of life, as plans have been submitted to transform its vacant upper floors into a high-rise hotel. The Coopers Building, located above the River Island store on Church Street, has a rich history dating back to 1895 when it first opened as a department store specialising in quality foods, tea, coffee, exotic fruits, and fine wines.

The building’s grand exterior, designed by the Scottish architect Gerald de Courcy Fraser in 1914, reflects its heritage as a key part of Liverpool’s commercial and social fabric during a period of bustling business activity. The former Cooper & Co store was well-known not only for its extensive stock but also for its café, which could seat over 900 people, and for hosting jazz-filled wedding receptions. Its ornate interiors and use of live window displays made it a celebrated up-market shopping destination. Despite its former glory, the business closed in 1972 amid the rise of supermarkets and changing retail habits, leaving the upper floors of the building vacant.

The current redevelopment proposal by Amar Seth of Seth Hotel Ltd seeks to convert the third to sixth floors into hotel rooms, with the addition of a new seventh floor comprising amenity space and a restaurant open to both hotel guests and the public. This design aims to retain the building’s vernacular architectural characteristics and keep the existing facade intact, honouring the site’s prominent position and historical significance. The development would result in approximately 4,456 square meters of gross internal floor area spread over seven floors, including new lobby space on the lower floors.

This hotel plan follows earlier initiatives to revive the building’s upper floors, including a previous application to convert them into 80 residential units, which was started but not completed. More recently, Dorset Projects secured planning consent to transform these floors into 77 serviced apartments featuring studios and one-bedroom units, alongside communal facilities such as a reception and fitness room. These various proposals underscore a strong interest in revitalising the historic Coopers Building to contribute meaningfully to Liverpool’s visitor economy and tourism sector.

Structural work is also underway to preserve and maintain the building’s integrity. Williams Tarr has been awarded a contract to carry out extensive repairs and refurbishment, including masonry and steel frame restoration and roof structure maintenance, ensuring the building remains safe and sustainable for future use.

The redevelopment of the Coopers Building aligns with broader regeneration efforts in Liverpool city centre, where historic structures are being adapted for modern commercial and residential uses. Experts suggest these initiatives not only breathe new life into architectural landmarks but also help reinforce the city’s appeal as a destination for visitors and locals alike.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative was first published on 28 July 2025, with similar reports appearing on 1 August 2025. The earliest known publication date is 28 July 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the narrative.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from the Liverpool Echo, a reputable news outlet. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high reliability score.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims about the Coopers Building’s history and the proposed redevelopment align with information from other reputable sources. The narrative includes specific details such as the building’s address, the developer’s name, and the proposed plans, which are consistent with other reports. The language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is fresh, originating from a reputable source, and presents plausible claims with consistent details. No significant issues were identified in the fact-checking process.