Metquarter is celebrating 20 years of business this month
04:00, 22 Mar 2026
Met Quarter, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool’s Metquarter is celebrating 20 years since opening as the city’s “designer shopping centre”. The complex has welcomed high-end labels and creative independent ventures across two decades, with the future continuing to appear bright with more opportunities on the horizon.
When the shopping centre first opened in March 2009 at a cost of £75m, it was marketed as a higher-end shopping destination which was home to the likes of Armani, Gieves and Hawkes, Whistles and the only standalone Mac make-up store in the country.
Today, many of the bigger brands have been replaced by local, independent businesses, and joined by the likes of Liverpool Media Academy, the Everyman Cinema and the VSC food market on the first floor.
Jennina O’Neill, centre manager at Metquarter, told the ECHO: “Over the past two decades, Metquarter has championed quality in retail, working in partnership with an array of talented tenants.
“Among our proudest achievements is how Metquarter has been able to offer a platform to local independent businesses, giving them the opportunity to trade next to well established brands in the heart of the city. We believe it is so important to champion independent businesses in order to pave the way for the next era of retail.”
Met Quarter, Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
But with a number of shops having closed their doors, it appears the Metquarter is at the start of a new chapter in its history.
Jennina added: “Over recent years, as we’ve seen a change in the UK high street and consumers’ shift in demand for a versatile and experience-led high street, Metquarter has adapted and transformed from a traditional shopping centre into a dynamic mixed use space, home to a mix of creative arts, entertainment, F&B, health and wellbeing and independent fashion retailers.”
Recent arrivals include Made by Mitchell, a beauty guru with legions of followers who launched his debut physical shop; Melite Parfums, a modern fragrance house; and All Over The Shop, one of the centre’s most striking brands offering colourful, vibrant fashions.
Away from businesses, Metquarter is also the birthing ground for stars. LMA dancers wowed the judges on this series of Britain’s Got Talent with a highly synchronised dance, titled “Murmuration”, which is the work of French choreographer Sadeck Berrabah.
Jennina said: “Media, music and performing arts institution LMA joined the scheme in 2020 and has welcomed thousands of students through the doors. Since opening at Metquarter, the college has grown considerably and extended its footprint into further space at ground level, adding new courses to the curriculum.”
Met Quarter, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Although some brands left Metquarter, including Hugo Boss and most recently Cricket, others have received a new lease of life. The GPO food hall temporarily closed doors to rebrand as Victoria Street Collective (VSC), offering a range of traders and international cuisines across 10,152 square feet on the first floor.
Speaking on the Metquarter’s adaptability, Jennina added: “We have continued to work closely with our tenants to meet consumers’ needs and adapt strategy in line with this, offering an array of independent creative workshops and makers markets in order to provide in person experiences to consumers and showcase independent makers work from around the city.
“We have also worked closely with Liverpool City Council and The Liverpool BID on numerous campaigns to amplify footfall within the centre and offer shoppers experience-led retail initiatives such as the Taylor Town Trail.
Looking to the future, she added: “As we look ahead, our main focus continues to be strengthening our retailer mix, presenting opportunities for more businesses to open their doors in a prime, city centre location and ensuring Metquarter plays a valuable role in the future of Liverpool’s high street.”