Liverpool’s St Johns Market will officially shut down after over 200 years.
The city centre market was closed with immediate effect exactly 12 months ago over what the local council claimed was a ‘reluctant’ move due to outstanding rent issues.
Up to 43 stallholders were accused of having more than £1.7 million in arrears to the local authority dating back to August 2020, which forced them to suspend trading.
But with efforts to recover the outstanding amounts since 2023 ongoing, Cllr Nick Small has confirmed that alternative uses of the site are now being explored.
“What we don’t think is feasible is to reopen it as a market,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“We’re not going to be doing that. There are options here, it’s an exciting site.
“In terms of the leisure facility, there’s nothing like this in that part of the city, it’s crying out for something like that and could really add value.”
Cllr Small added: “It’s about looking at where we are and the city moving forward.
“We have destination markets at Stanley Park and Great Homer Street, as St Johns once was.
“Since the decision was made, numerous new markets have emerged, making it an exciting time for them in Liverpool.”
St Johns first opened in March 1822, making it one of the UK’s longest-serving markets.