Knowsley Council has addressed rumours over a former bank building in the town centre.
Suggestions have been made that the former NatWest building in Kirkby would be converted into living accommodation. However, being owned by the council, they have since had their say.
Since taking control of Kirkby Town Centre back in 2019, Knowsley Council has owned the building. Taking to its website to confirm the building is currently available to let, the council added that comments regarding the conversion into living accommodation were "completely untrue".
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They wrote: "Knowsley Community College had initially expressed an interest in potentially moving into the former NatWest building to use as a base in Kirkby Town Centre but is no longer moving forward with that plan. We therefore continue to actively promote this building through our letting agent."
Other online rumours have surfaced about the former Barclaycard building as the council confirmed, although not owned by them, the building is available to let. Rumours included the building being converted into a hotel or a house of multiple occupation (HMO).
Knowsley Council said its aim is to bring new jobs to Kirkby and increase the footfall to the town centre, adding: "The Council is not aware of any such plans for this building. Any such proposal would require planning approval from the Council and any such planning application would be subject to public consultation. No such proposals have ever been received by the Council.
"Continuing to address recent speculation, we are pleased to confirm that the large vacant two-storey unit at 132 Cherryfield Drive (next to the Bus Station) is currently being transformed into an inflatable play park (on the ground floor) and food and drink market (on the first floor). Fun 1st Entertainment Limited are hoping to open this new business later this year.
"As soon as there are any confirmed plans for the former NatWest and Barclaycard buildings, and indeed any others in Kirkby Town Centre, we will share this information through Knowsley News and the Council’s social media channels."
The ECHO previously reported that Kirkby town centre has seen much development in recent years, from the "hidden gem" market receiving £50,000 investment for refurbishment works and the building of a new retail park. But despite recent positive changes, some people say the town is "tarred" with a bad image, unfairly so.
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