Major plans to give Wirral’s biggest town a new lease of life have taken a big step forward, with workers on site at the first project in the scheme.
Construction work has now begun on two top quality ‘Grade A’ office buildings in the town centre, at the former Milton Pavements site.
As the town’s regeneration plans move forward, a new Birkenhead Market, food and drink outlets and thousands of homes will be built.
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The overall project is run by Wirral Growth Company (WGC), a 50:50 partnership between Wirral Council and regeneration specialists Muse Developments.
The beginning of work on the new office space follows the announcement of a £75m forward funding deal by Canada Life Asset Management, with the offices due to be completed next autumn.
The office buildings form the central hub of a new business and leisure quarter set to be developed in the heart of Birkenhead, which WGC hopes will attract further investment into Wirral creating new jobs for local people.
One of the two five-storey office developments will be occupied by Wirral Council, with the other available for businesses to lease.
Once complete, the office buildings will be connected by open, adaptable spaces for occupiers, residents and visitors to use.
The spaces could also host events and pop-up activities, giving people more things to do in the town centre.
Mike Horner, director of Wirral Growth Company, said: “Getting to this point is a profound moment for [WGC] and testament to the hard work of everyone involved.
“This marks an exciting new chapter in the Birkenhead story and will act as a catalyst to bring about real transformational change to benefit the people of Birkenhead and beyond.”
Even though home working has become more common during the pandemic, Mr Horner was still adamant that the office plan would work.
He added: “There’s a shortage of Grade A office stock across the Liverpool City Region and, despite changing working habits, there’s still demand out there.
“Businesses are choosing to prioritise quality in their work spaces and looking for offices that are more flexible and suited to modern working practices.
“By creating this offer in Birkenhead, it’s a statement of intent that we’re serious about helping the town to level up its commercial offer, so that local people can be just as excited about its future as we are. We’re looking forward to seeing the development progress over the months ahead.”
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s economy and development committee, said: “Building high-quality office space in the town centre will play a key role in changing the way that people use the town, which will benefit existing businesses and lead to new commercial opportunities.”
The Labour councillor added: “The start of work on site is a clear sign of the progress we’re making to secure the future of Birkenhead town centre.”
