Sefton Council, K2 Architects and Avison Young to push forward with transformation of Bootle Strand after securing £20m of Government funding. Tony McDonough reports
Bootle Strand shopping centre will be given a new lease of life after the Government approved £20m in funding for Sefton Council’s regeneration project.
In January, Sefton Council saw its bid for Levelling Up funding for Bootle and Crosby rejected by Whitehall. However, in the Spring Budget on Wednesday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt offered £20m to Sefton Council for the Strand transformation.
In 2017 the council took out a loan to acquire the 400,000 sq ft 1960s shopping mall for £32.5m from London-based retail investor Ellandi and Avenue Capital.
However, in September 2021 council leader Ian Maher admitted its value had plummeted to under £15m.
Sefton sees the centre as a vital component of regeneration of the wider Strand area. In partnership with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority it has pushed forward with the Bootle Canalside project.
With the backing of the CA Section has spent more than £2.5m on its regeneration plan for the area with the shopping centre key to the project. Earlier this week LBN reported it DV8 designs had been appointed to help create the Salt & Tar entertainments venue.
But the plan for the shopping centre is the main prize and now, with new funding secured, Sefton will work with K2 Architects and property consultancy Avison Young, to make its vision a reality.
As part of the vision the Strand will become home to a community college digital hub, a health hub and beehives to create an “open, outward-looking environment”.
Mark Davies, architect director at K2, said: “This last-minute allocation of funds indicates to me that perhaps this time Government are really understanding what impact Levelling Up and devolution actually means to people’s lives and place.
“It’s not a set model that fits all: it is about having ambition and a deliverable vision that does not gentrify, but really understands the needs of a community and what works or doesn’t.”
Stephen Cowperthwaite, managing director, Liverpool, at Avison Young, added: “This project is set to be an exemplar of regeneration in an area that is one of the most deprived in the country.
“We have been working with the team at Sefton Council for a number of years on this project, collaboratively shaping the narrative alongside K2 Architects.
“It’s fantastic to see the hard work and our combined vision coming to fruition, to transform this vital space and create a vibrant place for the people of Bootle.”
Christian Rogers, deputy director of place at Sefton Council, also said: “Despite not being included in the list of successful bids for the second round of Levelling Up funding, the Government has recognised the quality of the project.
“As a result, it awarded a grant for the full amount of £20m for the transformation of Bootle Strand.”