Images by K2 Architects
Ambitious redevelopment plans for the Strand Shopping Centre “will increase pride and raise ambition across Bootle” while also improving people’s perception of the town.
Sefton Council revealed its vision for the centre as it outlined its three-year Business Plan (2022/23 to 2024/25), which will be put before Cabinet next Thursday (5th January 2023).
The local authority bought the facility, at the heart of Bootle town centre, for £32.5 million in April 2017.
Sefton insists that it is not purely a money-generating purchase but rather an essential ingredient in the regeneration of Bootle as a whole.
In the report due before councillors next week, Sefton Council Executive Director (Place) Stephen Watson said: “The repurposing of the Strand will catalyse development of a more sustainable and resilient town centre that provides improved opportunities for local communities, residents and businesses.
“It will increase pride and raise ambition across Bootle whilst improving perception and brand beyond Bootle.
“It remains the case that, as landlord, Sefton Council can have an exciting, medium- to long-term vision for the Strand, which the private sector would not be able to.”
The plans include a reduction in the amount of retail provision in The Strand, the introduction of alternative uses including health, education, and technology and further development of the Canalside site and adjacent land to provide cultural and leisure uses.
The council will develop new food and beverage offers to boost the area’s night-time economy as well as new hi-tech digital facilities, working alongside partners including Hugh Baird College.
The programme also aims to refurbish and repurpose existing buildings, reducing the carbon impact of the development by up to two thirds and enabling a phased delivery in four stages over the next 10 years.
By 2030 the aim is that Bootle “will have been reshaped and grown its reputation as a desirable residential, education and business location”.
The proposals in the immediate term hope to gain multi-million pound support from the Government after Sefton Council submitted its application for Levelling Up funding during the summer. A decision is due in early 2023.
Ambitions for The Strand include:
Canalside park and festival / event spaces – bringing back in to use the area along the waterside as high quality public realm and leisure spaces will improve the attractiveness and appeal of the town; encourage people into the area, increasing footfall and dwell time, reanimating the town centre and boosting the local economy.
New high-quality public realm – providing attractive spaces that bring back in to use neglected areas to become great places for community gatherings, active lifestyles and sustainable active travel.
Digital Creative Hub – developing high-tech flexible facilities for use by local people, community groups, education and businesses will help respond to changing working patterns and office space needs as well as supporting the creation of new jobs through start-up/SME companies and attracting high value growth businesses.
Leisure and F&B uses –create an evening and night-time economy increasing dwell time and visitor numbers; supporting businesses to return to the centre for the enhanced environment and linked amenities; supporting the college to relocate to the town centre, bringing 3,000 students into the town each day, capturing vibrancy and spend.
Integrated Health and Social Care Hub – bringing together a wider range of health and social care services in an integrated end to end service tailored to the individual person that can be more easily and quickly accessed, on the high-street in the heart of the community.
Enhanced retail – retaining a strong retail offer, in better facilities and surrounded by a wider range of other amenities, focused on the shopping needs of local people.
Sefton Council is also in the process of obtaining the surrender of the long lease on the vacant units at 259-273 The Esplanade and 283-289 Stanley Road. This is intended to unlock a critical element of the repurposing plan.
In the report, Stephen Watson wrote: “Although the Council remains wholly committed to the vision and to the project, feedback is awaited on Sefton Council’s bid submission for Levelling Up funding for Bootle, and work is ongoing on a more detailed delivery strategy as well as other funding options for the project. Therefore, at this time our strategy is to maintain flexibility in approach in the short-term to ensure that no decisions or commitments are made that will prejudice the future repurposing proposition of the Strand.”
The Business Plan includes two scenarios: The ‘Business As Usual’ plan for the Strand, assuming that the repurposing programme is not progressed, and the ‘Regeneration’ plan for the Strand, assuming that the regeneration programme is delivered.
Work will continue on the recently acquired sites adjacent to the shopping centre, referred to as the Canalside. These works will be progressed over the coming months in advance of a further programme of events from Spring 2023.
The quality of the events programme on the newly-enhanced Bootle Canalside will support increased footfall in the Strand and across Bootle town centre.
Sefton Council also recognises the difficulty in producing good financial results from The Strand due to current factors including the cost of living crisis and rising inflation.
In the report, Stephen Watson wrote: “Given the current economic climate, the Business Plan includes an overview of impacts on the retail sector and the challenging environment in which the centre is operating. However, the acquisition of the Strand was for regeneration purposes, and these external factors (which have a greater impact in an area such as Bootle) reinforce the importance of delivering the vision for the future of Bootle town centre and the Strand.
“Some uncertainty remains to the Business Plan at the time of writing, not only given the pressures of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, but also the absence of feedback on the Council’s bid submission for Levelling Up funding, which will be vital to progression of next steps.”
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