The company will move into a new home in Liverpool city centre
19:59, 14 Oct 2025Updated 20:00, 14 Oct 2025
Shoppers at Liverpool One(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A Liverpool ONE store is set to close its doors for the final time. Sports Direct was one of the first companies to open inside the shopping complex in 2008. Signs have been posted in the North John Street store’s windows telling customers it is the store’s ‘last day’ and a staff member confirmed to the ECHO that today was the final day.
Sports Direct is set to open its flagship store on Church Street in Liverpool city centre on Friday, October 17. M&S left Compton House in August 2023 to move into Liverpool ONE’s former Debenhams store. The high street chain had been based at the Grade-II listed building on Church Street for 95 years.
At the time of the purchase, James France, Frasers Group’s head of acquisitions, 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.
‘Last day’ at Sports Direct in Liverpool One
“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.
Subject to approval, Everlast Gyms will also open a 23,000 sq ft hybrid gym in the space.”
Compton House was built in 1867 to replace a building which was destroyed in a fire two years before. It was one of the first purpose-built department stores in Europe.
‘Last day’ at Sports Direct in Liverpool One
The building was converted and renamed Compton Hotel in 1871. It operated as a hotel until 1927 and M&S took over the site the following year.
Now, the Sports Direct logo sits above the entrance to the historic Church Street building as the store moves closer to its grand opening.
Video game retailer GAME, which is also owned by Frasers Group, closed the Lord Street site in June. Since 2019, the brand has downsized to smaller units located inside Sports Direct stores.
‘Last day’ at Sports Direct in Liverpool One
Signs teasing the new Sports Direct launch have been updated with GAME’s branding, suggesting the retailer will relocate from Lord Street to a smaller concession within Compton House.
The last few weeks has seen Everlast members standing outside the store promoting its new onsite gym.