Culture and creativity will be at the heart of Bootle’s transformation, a position reaffirmed by Sefton Council, with major projects already underway that will bring thousands of visitors into the town and help reshape its future.
This summer will see the unveiling of a new open-air gallery along Washington Parade, while Salt and Tar continues to grow as one of the region’s most exciting cultural destinations. Planned events and activities are expected to attract around 16,000 visitors to Bootle this August alone.
Located along Washington Parade near Bootle New Strand station and the bus terminal, the new outdoor gallery will feature a series of vibrant large-scale artworks created by local artists and designers. The installation is the first phase of a wider vision to use public art, creative interventions and future light installations to brighten key areas of the town centre and strengthen Bootle’s identity as a place where culture thrives.
Inspired by the creativity, ambition and community spirit showcased through Bootle’s Town of Culture bid, the project demonstrates how cultural regeneration remains firmly embedded within the town’s wider transformation programme.
Funded through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Community and Place Improvements for Bootle programme, the gallery complements wider investments including the Bootle Strand transformation and the ongoing development of Salt and Tar.
Five local artists; Heather Almond, Timea Balo, Cherie Grist, Jay Stockley and Sam Wiehl have created works for the gallery, which have been produced as large-scale prints, allowing future exhibitions and installations to refresh and evolve the space over time.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said:
“I would like to congratulate the areas that were successful, especially our neighbours across the water in Birkenhead. We are obviously disappointed that Bootle has not been shortlisted in the Town of Culture competition but our ambition for the place is as strong as ever.
“Our bid for Bootle highlighted a town rich in cultural talent, thriving community organisations, artists, performers and creative practitioners, alongside a growing network of community interest companies and grassroots groups creating opportunities for local people every day.
“The process has also strengthened partnerships with key cultural organisations, including the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) helping to create new opportunities for local people and supporting the development of future programmes in the town.”
While the Town of Culture journey has reached its conclusion, the partnerships, energy and ambition generated through the process will continue to shape Bootle’s future.
Cllr Atkinson continued:
“This expression of interest in our bid has demonstrated the creativity, ambition and community spirit that make Bootle such a special place. I would like to thank everyone who supported it and helped showcase the town’s rich cultural offer.
“The partnerships, ideas and momentum created and strengthened through this process will continue and collectively we remain committed to a shared and bold ambition for Bootle with culture and arts at its centre.
“Bootle is rich in community spirit, creative talent and ambition. We have an incredible network of artists, community organisations, CICs and partners creating opportunities for local people and helping shape the future of the town. Through this process we have also strengthened important relationships with organisations such as LIPA, creating foundations that will benefit Bootle long into the future. That doesn’t change because of one competition outcome.
“Despite the outcome, Bootle is and will always be a town of culture. Work continues on the Strand transformation, the next Salt and Tar event is only weeks away, and there is much more to come.
“Bootle is still Bootle-icious, still ambitious and still determined to put culture at the heart of its future.”
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