Sefton council has reaffirmed its commitment to help revitalise Bootle Strand with a £500,000 investment from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The Combined Authority has also invested £1.8m of strategic funding for the Bootle Canalside project. This will aim to transform a section of land adjacent to the shopping centre into a vibrant outdoor space.
The council have also released new images on what they hope the Strand will look like in the future. The pictures show a vibrant area packed with shoppers and interesting things to do.
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The shopping centre has fallen on hard times in recent years. The council hopes to offer new green spaces, leisure, entertainment and integrated health and social care facilities.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said: “We are proudly and passionately committed to the regeneration of Bootle which has been hit hard by the pandemic and has too often been overlooked.
“The Strand shopping centre is the beating heart of Bootle and the loyalty of the community to this cornerstone of the high street is immense. Our vision for Bootle aims to create a thriving town centre.
"That works for all people, brings investment and interest to an area filled with opportunities and builds a happier, healthier, more resilient population.” The council now intends to submit a bid to the Department of Levelling up and Housing and Communities to support the project.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “This ambitious vision for the future of the Strand is proper levelling-up in action and will make a real difference to people’s lives. The Strand has served as Bootle’s retail hub for decades.
"The Combined Authority is working with Sefton Council to help make sure that Bootle’s future is as vibrant and exciting as possible. Reimagining what the town centre is for and expanding its offering will be the first step towards achieving this".
"The work we are doing will act as a catalyst for further regeneration and good growth that strengthens the local economy, attracts more investment into the town, and improves the health, wellbeing and life chances of local residents.”
