12 years after the £65m Marine Point kick-started an economic renaissance of New Brighton the public is now being asked for its views on the next wave of regeneration. Tony McDonough reports
Wirral Council has launched a consultation process into the next stage of regeneration in New Brighton.
In 2011, the opening of the Marine Point leisure and retail facility on the seafront kick-started a regeneration of the town following decades of decline.
Now a new lido, hotels and other major development could be built as part of a masterplan for the Marine Promenade area, which stretches from Rowson Street to the Floral Pavilion.
In the early part of the 20th century New Brighton was one of the leading seaside resorts in the UK. It boasted a magnificent art deco open air swimming pool, the largest lido in the country.
New Brighton Tower was, for a time, the tallest building in Britain rising to 567 feet. This is taller than Blackpool Tower which stands at 518 feet. By 2021 the structure was gone but the Tower Ballroom survived until 1969 when it was destroyed by fire.
Until 1971 New Brighton had its own Mersey Ferry terminal. However, today the closest the ferries get to the town is at Seacombe terminal which is up river.
Marine Point, which comprises 236,615 sq ft, was completed by Promenade Estates in 2011. It is anchored by a Morrisons supermarket and attracts around 500,000 visitors a year. There are hospitality outlets including Prezzo, Costa and Starbucks and a cinema.
In June 2022 property investor David Samuel Properties acquired Marine Point from Aprirose for £44m. Promenade Estates had sold it to Aprirose two years earlier for £42.5m.
More recently public artwork focused around the Victoria Road area has seen a more community-led regeneration approach. This has been led by hospitality entrepreneur Daniel Davies via his Rock Point leisure venture.
Ideas now being put forward through the New Brighton Marine Promenade Masterplan could see the opportunity for a new lido to be established in the Marine Lake.
Also proposed is improved connections from the Marine Promenade to the Victoria Quarter, including creating spaces for people to shelter from the wind. New homes are also part of the plan.
Some ideas could be delivered quickly such as better connecting the Marine Promenade area to Victoria Road, more seating and better use of the Marine Lake. The lido is seen as a more long-term strategic ambition for the town.
Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Cllr Tony Jones, said: “New Brighton has seen a lot of investment relatively recently but that is just a starting point.
“The town needs much more intervention to re-establish it and make the most of this fantastic place to live, work and of course to visit.
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“I understand people will be keen to see work moving ahead and I share that, but it is absolutely vital that whatever changes we bring forward are done in the spirit of partnership.
“It is incredibly important that this is an inclusive process that works both for local residents and businesses as well as those with a stake in the future of the area.
Click here to take part in the consultation which runs until December 4.