Liverpool Combined Authority to invest £10m into Kirkby regeneration

Knowsley Council leader Graham Morgan, left, with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) will invest £10m into Knowsley Council’s purchase of Kirkby town centre.

In November, New Start reported that Knowsley Council had reached a £43.8m deal to buy the town centre to help kick-start its regeneration plans, buying 87 shops and 12.4 acres of land from owners St. Modwen.

The authority hopes to begin construction of 94,000 square foot of new retail space, including a new supermarket, petrol station, and improved car parking.

The council said this will be the first time that the council has owned Kirkby town centre and is a ‘significant step forward after 20 years of failed attempts’ from the private sector to progress with development in Kirkby.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has confirmed that the LCRCA will be stepping up to support the council’s purchase by investing £10 million allocated from the Single Investment Fund.

They have also set aside a potential further £5m for further regeneration.

It’s claimed the development will bring a £15.3m boost to the local economy each year. It’s also hoped that the completed scheme will generate £650,000 per annum in business rates which can then be re-invested back into key public services and support.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: ‘I’m so happy to see the regeneration of the “Townie” is finally happening. There have been too many false dawns caused by broken private sector promises but I’m really proud that we have been able to play a part in bringing this much-needed development to the area I grew up in.

‘Devolution is all about taking back control from Westminster and shaping our own destinies. When I was elected, I promised that no borough would be left behind and it’s fantastic that, in partnership with Knowsley Council, we will see the heart put back into Kirkby again.’

Photo Credit – LCRCA