David Cain, managing director Crossfield Exclusive Developments, is planning a retail and residential scheme for the centre of Crosby after buying a building for £1m. Tony McDonough reports

Crosby-born property developer David Cain is looking to breathe new life into the Sefton village with a new £15m development.

Mr Cain, managing director of Liverpool-based Crossfield Exclusive Developments and construction firm Crossfield Group, has bought Telegraph House on Moor Lane for £1m and now intends to transform it into a new retail and housing development.

He says his plans to redevelop the prominent site will help boost the fortunes of Crosby Village which has suffered declining visitor numbers in recent years and may be affected further still by the economic impact of COVID-19. 

He plans to create a new four-storey building on the site, attracting a retailer to units on the ground floor and creating quality one and two bedroom retirement apartments on the floors above. 

Construction works on the scheme, which will be carried out by Crossfield Construction, a division of Crossfield Group, will create jobs for local people, both on site and through the supply chain.

David Cain, who now lives in South Liverpool, closer to his Speke-based business, said: “Crosby means a lot to me. I have happy memories of growing up here and I’ve still got plenty of family in the area.

“I know that, like many places, Crosby Village has struggled in recent years and COVID-19 will make even more of an impact on high street footfall. But I’m an optimist, and, as hard as it seems, we have to look forward and plan for how we can return from this situation stronger than before.

“I want to play my part in helping Moor Lane continue to be a vibrant part of Crosby, where people come to live, shop and socialise for many years to come.”

As well as attracting more people, both residents and shoppers, to Crosby Village, the scheme will also deliver much-needed new homes: Sefton Council says that 73 new homes must be built in Crosby each year keep up with local need.

David Cain’s business partner in Crossfield Exclusive Developments, David Ayem, added: “We’re proud to be a company that invests in the areas in which we work by creating jobs, using nearby suppliers, supporting community groups and delivering schemes that are fitting for the local area.”