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Liverpool Echo

National

Aaliyah Rugg

'Real buzz' for growing Speke development as 'exciting things to come'

Echo Cineworld Pizza Express Poundland Queen Elizabeth II Yo Sushi

Excitement is building for a Merseyside retail Park which "brings new life" to the area.

The last few years have seen many exciting new openings at the Speke New Mersey Retail Park thanks to a huge multi-million redevelopment project, from six new restaurants and a cinema. Despite the closure of clothing retailer Outfit when Arcadia Group went into administration, owners confirmed the units would not remain empty for long.

There is no denying Speke retail park has changed over the years, from popular stores such as electrical chain Comet and British furniture retailer MFI to HMV and Borders. But attracting many visitors every day, the retail park appears to be going from "strength to strength" during a time of "great difficulty".

Already, thousands have enjoyed the newly opened Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park - complete with battle towers - which opened earlier this year. Poundland is also set to "open soon" as is Hollywood Bowl, situated next to Ninja Warrior.

The ECHO previously reported on work that has started on more new businesses after signs were put up for Yo Sushi and Pizza Express. Situated near the current Nandos, these are believed to be opening later this year. Many residents have expressed their "excitement" at the new things to come.

Bad reputation is 'outdated'

Joanne Thompson moved to Speke two years ago and she said there is a "real buzz" about the place. Having created a popular Facebook Page called Speke Kids to promote activities in Speke, she said the area is "really growing as a family friendly place to visit or live".

The mum-of-three told the ECHO: "We moved here two years ago and I didn't know the area at all, I'm like a full-time mum and suddenly I found myself in a place where I didn't know anyone or what to do. As I started learning about groups, I set up one group as a central place so everyone could post about activities.

"It's grew, we have tonnes on there. Ninja Warrior has not long opened which is a fantastic thing for Speke, it's just bringing everyone and everything together in one place. It's definitely a more family friendly place and it feels like there's more vibrant stuff going on. With the opening of Ninja Warrior and Hollywood Bowl on the retail there's a buzz in the air, families are excited.

"And it's not just Speke retail but Speke as a whole. We've got the beautiful Oglet Shore. I had no idea we had access to it, it's a hidden gem. Speke is really growing with stuff happening at the retail park, there's a buzz and people are posting on the group setting up new classes nearby.

"It's really turned around the last couple of years. No doubt we will get negative comments as Speke has a bad reputation but this is outdated. Every area has it's bad side but the idea of this bad reputation is outdated."

More about the page and what's on in Speke can be found here.

One mum, who did not wish to be named, said she is just a "short drive away" from the town which "has everything". She added: "It's really come on in the last few years. We used to have to travel further but now we have virtually everything we need on our doorstep.

"There's plenty to do with children at the retail and either a little further out into Speke. My kids can't wait to go bowling, they already love Ninja Warrior."

Previously speaking to the ECHO, Russell Hall, centre manager at New Mersey, had said: "We’re excited to announce that we have a number of new brands opening at the centre later this year, including PizzaExpress, Yo! Sushi and Hollywood Bowl, all bringing something a little different for our visitors.

"These openings follow the launch of Ninja Warrior in August, which has been a major success so far, particularly with families over the summer holidays. We’re looking forward to sharing more information when we’re able to and giving people another great way to spend quality time with friends and family."

Concerns however were raised following the announcement that Cineworld is preparing to file for bankruptcy “within weeks,” putting around cinemas at risk of closure, according to reports. However, Cineworld confirmed to the ECHO that it "does not anticipate any interruption to operations in the UK during the process".

Cinemas will remain open as usual and customer membership programmes will still be honoured and available.