People have reacted to Knowsley Council buying the struggling Prescot shopping centre.
While many have welcomed the news, some have been more cautious about the development.
Knowsley Council announced on Friday it had completed the purchase of the shopping centre, several nearby units and the car park in a £1.3m deal which will see a partner company Workman LLP run the centre.
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The town has been undergoing something of a renaissance of late, with the opening of the Shakespeare North Playhouse seen as a major boon for Prescot.
In a statement released last week, Knowsley Council said the purchase showed its “ambition” for the town and it hoped the move would help continue its regeneration.
Leader of Knowsley Council, cllr Graham Morgan said on Twitter: “the purchase of the shopping centre is another positive step forward in the town’s renaissance as a visitor destination.”
On social media, the news prompted a range of reactions, and while many were pleased, others were more reticent.
Commenting on Cllr Morgan’s tweet, Jessie and Co said: “Fantastic news” while Act for Action said: “Good news let’s hope they start to make the most of it. It could and should be an asset.”
Ethan Carter added: “Prescot has needed a regeneration for years.”
The news prompted a positive reaction from leader of the opposition and Prescot councillor Kai Taylor who called the purchase “fantastic news.”
Cllr Taylor added: “The ambitious development of Prescot town centre continues.”
In the ECHO comments section, Annette Curtain said: “Fantastic news for Prescot and an absolute bargain. £1.3 million is about the average house price in parts of the South.
“Well done to those who made this happen.”
Others however felt given the challenges town centres are facing, the move was a “gamble.”
The Jackal said: “Buying shopping centres is not a council function …. gambling with tax payers money.”
One commentor, rlegation&bankruptsybs, said: “The council has no business playing Russian roulette with tax payers money” while others referred to some of the challenges neighbouring Sefton faced when purchasing the Bootle Strand Shopping Centre.
Uberjava was concerned it was a futile exercise, stating: “Been a ghost town since the retail park took everything away from the centre, flogging a dead horse.”
However, Ye72 appeared to disagree amid the ongoing regeneration in the town, responding toa similar comment by stating: “You clearly haven’t been for a while.”
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