00:00 The brand new Marks and Spencers opened in Liverpool 1 on Tuesday.
00:05 Their 70,000 square foot store will offer local shoppers a fresh market style food hall
00:10 as well as clothing, home and beauty departments.
00:14 Inside the food hall customers will find a bakery, a dedicated wine shop and a cafe.
00:19 We've been on the streets of Liverpool to see what you think of the move.
00:23 A little bit obsessed but you've got to get used to it you know.
00:27 I just don't know where everything is like I used to go in and out that's it, that's it, that's it you know.
00:33 Yeah, probably be alright in a while. Maybe I'm just being awkward.
00:38 It's good, I'm glad because it's definitely a building space.
00:41 You know it's a shame it was less empty so I made up my mind to go in there.
00:45 I wasn't really happy at first because I think it's going to be a waste of a lovely building
00:49 but the building was a bit far apart so I think it'd be nice and Liverpool aren't a nice area.
00:55 You don't like coming to this part of town, she prefers going to Liverpool one.
00:59 Around 70% smaller than its former home, the shop employs more than 320 staff.
01:05 Concerns have been raised about the future of the prominent former site on Church Street in the city centre
01:11 which has been home to the store since 1930.
01:15 How sad. I think it's going to be a huge, I just walked past it then and thought
01:21 commercially it's a problem for Liverpool City. What's going to fill it?
01:28 I can understand the commercial need, it's a huge building, it's old.
01:33 It's not that long ago that there were bits falling off it.
01:37 So I can see from their point of view, there'll be a landlord, it won't be owned by Marks & Spencers, I don't suppose.
01:44 But from a trading point of view, I guess it's been a big decision for them.
01:50 I hope it works for them.
01:52 It's going to get wasted, I think it's just going to be pumped in and lifted away by Georgian Leasers.
01:56 And then all the little shops are going to do nothing for it.
01:59 So I think it's probably better to be in hostels.
02:02 It'll be something like Mrs Holmes store as well, all the different shops are going in there aren't they?
02:07 I haven't been right in it, I've gone about upstairs.
02:10 I don't have to use all of that, yes.
02:13 Given that it's a very retail based area, I mean initially my instinct at the moment is that we're woefully short of housing and accommodation.
02:24 And so you think that some of these commercial buildings could be modified, could be made into flats, low cost etc.
02:33 We have so many homeless.
02:35 But in real terms, looking at it, I don't think it would be feasible.
02:41 I guess, we hope, that a sensible retailer, although it's not a good market at the moment is it?
02:49 People, it's a cost of living crisis.
02:52 I like it the old way, you know you go in, you know where that is, that is, that is.
02:59 They said to me, you should be, you're here all the time, which I am here all the time.
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