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Liverpool FC have submitted detailed plans for a flagship new retail store next to Anfield stadium - two and a half times bigger than the current offering.

The impressive new hub would be situated on the Walton Breck Road frontage to the left of the famous Albert pub which is retained under the proposals, no doubt much to the relief of many supporters.

To the other side of the store will be the “green link”, the route which will lead fans through from Walton Breck Road to Stanley Park which is part of the wider regeneration associated with the new expanded Anfield stadium.

The area behind the new store is earmarked for a Fan Zone on match days.

Outline planning permission for the store development was granted by Liverpool council on May 26 but the details were reserved for subsequent approval.

The club has now submitted those this week and are hopeful of early approval.

The plans have been drawn up by Liverpool-based architects KKA and submitted by Liverpool FC’s planning and heritage consultants Turley.

As the ECH0 has revealed previously, the new store will be over two floors, with a cafe area making up part of the upper floor.

In his submission to Liverpool planners, Turley senior planner Peter Rowe said: “The layout of the proposed club store is driven by the aspiration to deliver a ‘gateway’ building that sits at the principal entry to the stadium, provides an active frontage to Walton Breck Road, add definition to the adjacent Fanzone, and animates the route to the stadium turnstiles.”

The current LFC store at Anfield covers around 700 sqm while the expanded new Main Strand had room for another unit of around 1,000 sqm.

However a decision was made that it would be better to incorporate these into one overall retail offering.

The planning documents state: “This proposal is for approximately 1,800 sqm of stand-alone retail use to be developed adjacent to but outside the Anfield Stadium to become Liverpool Football Club’s flagship store. It will fit in with LFC’s current retail strategy but it will be unique and cutting edge.

“The use is predominantly retail with ancillary areas. Merchandise varies in type and size but mainly consists of replica kit, clothing, gifts souvenirs and memorabilia. At first floor a cafe area is included within the overall retail floorspace.”

As well as the normal shop, a kiosk sales point at the rear is included to help sell merchandise to the large crowds of fans expected in the Fan Zone area.

Many fans will be delighted to see that The Albert pub - a traditional watering hole for generations of LFC supporters - keeps its prominent position in relation to the stadium under the plans.

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The plans state: “The Albert is a typical late 19th century public house that because of its close proximity to Anfield Stadium holds a degree of historic and communal interest, featuring in many photographs of Liverpool Football Club history.

“In pre application discussion the Council identified the building as a non-designated heritage asset. The Albert public house will therefore be retained on the perimeter of the development site. It will constrain the limit of the site along Walton Breck Road and will also act with the new store to create a strong and visually interesting street frontage.”

The main entrance to the store is a lobby that takes the form of a players’ tunnel, a theme that is repeated in existing LFC stores, while the roof overhangs to allow space for market stalls and programme sellers.

Much of the exterior of the building is glazed while the red brickwork matches the material used in the new Main Stand.