Lime Street will reopen by midnight on Friday 16 September following the first phase of demolition on its £39 million regeneration project.

Remaining frontages were removed during three weeks of work to clear the site and pave the way for Liverpool City Council and Neptune Developments’ scheme.

The scheme will include a hotel, shops, restaurants and student accommodation between the Crown and Vine pubs and is expected to create more than 300 jobs.

Councillor Malcom Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration, says: “Lime Street is a vital gateway for Liverpool and this scheme will transform it, creating much needed new jobs.

“We knew this road closure would cause some disruption but it was absolutely vital to the project and I’m delighted this phase has been finished on time. Once this work is complete and the site is cleared, we will be able to get on with the construction side of the development and we are confident there will be no need for further closures.

“For millions of people Lime Street is the first impression they get of Liverpool and through this scheme, and future projects*, we aim to give them a welcome befitting of a dynamic European city.’’

One building is still to be deconstructed – which will require temporary closure of the pedestrian footways – then work will begin on the new buildings, with the project scheduled for completion in two years.

The developers are working with the council to determine whether parts salvaged from the former Futurist cinema, which could not be saved, can be incorporated into the revamp.

Meanwhile, a planning application to transform the former ABC Cinema nearby into a music venue and TV studio is due to be submitted.

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