Regeneration specialist is holding a public exhibition today (Friday) and tomorrow to give the public the opportunity to look at its plans in more detail and offer feedback. Tony McDonough reports.
Developer St Modwen has revealed its latest multi-million pound plans for the future of Kirkby town centre at a public exhibition today (Friday) and Saturday.
The company is proposing to improve the area with a new supermarket, additional shops, car parking and a new leisure development.
St Modwen says it is in “advanced talks” with as yet unnamed food retailers.
In recent weeks St Modwen has also started work on its Project Jennifer regeneration scheme in North Liverpool.
It says its proposal for Kirkby would boost the local economy, create new jobs, as well as bringing more shoppers and businesses to the town.
Improved leisure amenities would include restaurants and a cinema on the site of the old Kirkby Library and St Modwen also wants to create pockets of landscaping and green spaces, including a new area of public realm.
The outline scheme has already seen significant interest from a number of national retailers and the developer is in talks with food retailers.
Until these talks are complete and legal contracts exchanged the company says it is not in a position to reveal names.
Members of the project team are available at the public exhibition to provide more details about the scheme and answer questions local people may have.
It is taking place on Friday, October 21, 10am to 3pm and Saturday, October 22, 9.30am to 1pm at 17 St Chad’s Parade.
There will also be opportunity for locals to offer feedback before the plans are developed further and a planning application is submitted to Knowsley Council for consideration.
Following St. Modwen’s £35.8m acquisition in November 2015 the team has been working closely with the local authority to develop plans for the town centre.
A development agreement was signed earlier in the year, which set out its ambitions for Kirkby.
Steven Knowles, North West regional director for St. Modwen, said: “Our plans for Kirkby provide us with an opportunity to develop a town centre that the people of Kirkby deserve and have been waiting a long time for.
“We strongly believe that our proposal will strengthen and enhance the existing town centre, increase the offer for shoppers by bringing new shops to Kirkby and create jobs for local people.”