More than £2m is to be spent completing the “renaissance” of Kirkby town centre.
When it meets on Friday, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is recommended to approve £2.2m be spent on the third phase of improvements in Kirkby in the form of renovating a major car park that could open up hundreds of jobs. Almost three years ago, LCRCA approved £15m in funds towards the redevelopment of the town centre in Kirkby, of which £10m supported land acquisition and a proposed retail scheme which has now taken shape.
The remaining £5m has been split into two tranches, with £2.8m to support the development of a multi-screen cinema and leisure provision. The remaining £2.2m will now go towards refurbishment works of the town centre’s multi-storey car park to provide long-stay/all day parking to support town centre employment.
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The car park, which provides more than 380 spaces over eight floors, provides direct access to the commercial office building previously occupied by Barclaycard and accounts for 40% of the town centre’s parking provision. A report to the CA said the current condition of the car park is a “significant barrier” to reletting of the building and a number of possible tenants have expressed this to Knowsley Council.
It is said dependent on use, “this building could provide between 350-500 jobs in the town centre and support both employment in Kirkby and additional economic activity in the town centre.”
The report added: “Significant concrete repair works and aesthetic improvements are required to ensure the structure can continue to provide car parking capacity for the town centre and ensure it does not detract from the surrounding high-quality development works once complete.”
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who hails from Kirkby, said as a native to the town he was pleased to see it develop. He said “Kirkby’s revival over the last few years has been something of a renaissance.
“Having grown up in the area, I know the real, positive difference this investment is having on the Townie - and on people’s lives too. Thanks to devolution we’ve been able to invest in places like Kirkby.
“From the transformation of the town centre to the opening of its first supermarket in nearly 40 years – and the new railway station we’re building at Headbolt Lane, we’re making things happen. It's proper levelling-up in action: creating local jobs and opportunities, and bringing greater prosperity to local people.”
Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, added that it was “essential” for Kirkby to create the right image for residents, visitors and investors alike. He said: “Since purchasing the town centre in November 2019, we have delivered a retail development, created more free car parking spaces, attracted more businesses into the town and our multi-screen cinema scheme is also progressing.
“I’m delighted with what has been delivered in such a short space of time and we will continue to build on these achievements and deliver even more for everyone who lives, works, visits or invests in Kirkby.”
A decision on the funding will be made when the combined authority meets at Mann Island on Friday.
