Liverpool One secures another experiences-led venture with Pro:Direct Soccer/Crossbar spring opening

Experiences continue to be a big feature to boost shopping centre engagement and Liverpool One, which has been a major driver in the sector, has announced a new one. And this one comes as a dual-focused concept, widening the theme of combining gyms and retail stores which also continues to grow in popularity.

So the Liverpool city centre mall introduces Crossbar, hailed as a new kind of football experience, linking with premium sports retailer Pro:Direct Soccer, making their co-debuts at the destination next spring.

“Both will add to the unique experience-led offer at Liverpool One, reflecting its position as the heart of the UK’s most sociable city”, notes the Landsec-operated centre.

Pro:Direct Soccer is creating a 6,000 sq ft store called PD:FC.  It will showcase “elite on-pitch gear, training essentials, terrace-inspired fashion, and city-ready tech clothing and trainers”… becoming “a new benchmark for football retail”.  

Further, it claims PD:FC is a “cultural hub, drawing from the streets, stadiums, and creative influences that make Liverpool and Merseyside a global epicentre of football and lifestyle”.

And Crossbar? This will be located above the store, spanning 25,000 sq ft over two floors. Situated on Manesty’s Lane and occupying the upper levels of the former Flannels and Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols, Crossbar will feature “tech-enabled state-of-the-art football boxes with reactive projection, motion tracking, and surround sound”. 

Alongside the gaming floor will be a bar and casual dining area, while upstairs, Club 11 will provide a full restaurant experience.

Sam Baldock, chief of Brand at Pro:Direct, said: “Bringing our PD:FC concept to Liverpool One is about more than opening a store; it’s about cementing our vision in one of football’s defining cities. Located in the heart of the city, Liverpool One was the clear home for our city debut.”

Rob Deacon, director of Asset Management at Liverpool One for landlord Landsec, added: “Experience is at the heart of everything we do… and we want to create enjoyable moments for visitors every time they are here. Crossbar will be a strong new anchor that provides even more reasons to visit or lengthen an existing trip. Joined by PD:FC’s city debut, the brands further reaffirm [our] position as one of the UK’s leading retail and leisure destinations.”

Together with the recently-opened 7,000 sq ft Anthropologie store, this means 38,000 sq ft of signings completes the re-letting of the former Flannels and Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols units.