Knowsley Council approves £600,000 for detailed plans on the long-awaited regeneration of Prescot town centre to include new retail accommodation, library and museum as well as space for new homes. Tony McDonough reports
Knowsley Council is stepping up its plans for the transformation of Prescot town centre.
In the last few days the authority has approved the release of £600,000 to be spent on drawing up detailed plans for the area in partnership with its development partner on the project Cityheart.
In 2022, the council acquired Prescot Shopping Centre to prevent further decline and to ensure the site would play a positive role in the town’s ongoing regeneration.
Working with Cityheart over the past 12 months, Knowsley says it has shaped an “emerging vision” to transform the site and continue to strengthen Prescot’s position as a thriving town. Plans include:
- A new library, museum and cultural space, to create a central hub for learning, community activity and visitors.
- Improved retail space closer to the high street.
- New open-air pedestrian routes, with 24/7 access between key areas of the town to improve safety and accessibility.
- Enhanced car parking facilities to support shops, services and future growth.
- Space for future new homes, including affordable properties to meet the local need for one and two‑bedroom housing.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development commented: Prescot town centre has seen incredible momentum in recent years.
“These include investment from the council, private developers, the opening of the iconic Shakespeare North Playhouse and the abundance of bars, restaurants and independent retailers.
“These new proposals represent an exciting opportunity to unlock Prescot’s full potential and to deliver an even more vibrant, modern and sustainable town centre that works for residents, businesses and visitors for years to come.”
A new report has revealed that the £38m Shakespeare North Playhouse, which opened in 2022, is attracting 100,000 visitors a year to Prescot, generating an estimated £12.4m in GVA.
This latest £600,000 for the town centre project has come from Liverpool City Region’s Regeneration Capacity Building Fund. The Combined Authority has already invested £8m to improve public transport in Prescot.
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James Litherland, development director at Cityheart, added: “We see huge potential in Prescot as a fantastic place to live and visit with real character and a rich history. We know how important the town centre is to the community.
“That’s why our focus is on creating a place people can be proud of – new homes, great public spaces and community facilities that bring more life and opportunities into the heart of the town.”