The work is expected to go on for 12 weeks, ending in early October
GAME on Lord Street, Liverpool(Image: christopher megrath)
A KFC restaurant is due to open in Liverpool City Centre – just across the road from fast food rivals Popeyes and Burger King. Renovation work is underway to transform the former GAME premises on Lord Street into the latest American food chain following the opening of Wingstop in April.
Health and Safety Executive plans, posted on the front of the building, describe the ongoing refurbishment as “fit-out works and associated M&E alterations to form a new KFC high street restaurant.”
The work is being carried out by contractors BGS Projects Ltd on behalf of the Soul Foods Group, which operates three global brands – KFC, Starbucks and Taco Bell – in the UK and Canada. It is expected to go on for 12 weeks, ending in early October.
Lord Street is already home to a number of American franchises, including Popeyes, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wingstop, Burger King and McDonald’s. Filipino fast food restaurant Jollibee, which serves a similar menu, is just around the corner on Whitechapel.
KFC also has several other restaurants in the city centre including St John’s Shopping Centre, Ranelagh Street, Chaloner Street and Myrtle Parade.
The application for a new KFC store to open in what was previously home to GAME on Lord Street was submitted on June 11 and was subject to approval by Liverpool City Council.
The location has now been listed on the official KFC website, though it is currently marked as “restaurant closed”. An opening date has yet to be confirmed.
The former GAME unit on Lord Street
Video game retailer GAME, which is owned by the Frasers Group, operates over 200 stores across the country. In 2020, the company announced the closure of 40 outlets nationwide, with nearly a dozen more shutting since 2023.
Lord Street’s GAME informed customers that the store would cease trading on June 29 this year. A new version of the store is expected to open in a new Sports Direct in Compton House on Church Street.
Since Frasers Group acquired GAME in 2019, the retailer has downsized to smaller units located inside Sports Direct stores. 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.
Information for an additional KFC location has also appeared online with an address linked to the Strand shopping centre in Bootle. A restaurant page has been created on the KFC website list of locations.
The full address is listed as 286-288 Stanley Road, placing it within the vicinity of the shopping complex. Opening hours and restaurant features are to be confirmed, with placeholder text filling the respective areas on the website.