Demolition approved to pave way for Bootle Strand transformation
Bulldozers will roll in early next year to raze around 15% of the 400,000 sq ft shopping centre, kickstarting its £20m transformation.
Sefton Council’s own plans to kickstart the regeneration of Bootle Strand have been given the go-ahead, six years after the authority acquired the shopping centre for £32.5m.
Proposals form the first phase of works aimed at revitalising the asset, which anchors a 20-year regeneration vision for Bootle.
Approved plans focus on the demolition of a large chunk of the southern portion of the 1960s-built complex.
The elements to be torn down have been identified due to the level of retail vacancy, low footfall, and ongoing maintenance issues. These elements include the Palatine, public house, covered canopies, and single-storey retail units.
Sefton Council has worked with Avison Young and K2 Architects to draw up its masterplan for Bootle Strand, which is being funded by £20m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Later phases will introduce new leisure, education, and health services, as well as public spaces and routes between Stanley Road, Salt and Tar, and Washington Parade.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “By removing a small part of the existing building, we can make way for the revitalisation of the centre with attractive public spaces, which meets the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
“By broadening the use of space in the town centre, retail will continue to occupy the majority of the space, but we will also be introducing dedicated space for education, health and social care uses”, he continued.
“We will also be improving the leisure and hospitality opportunities, and developing further community, cultural, and creative spaces.
“Through our regeneration plans, we aim to create a flourishing town centre, which caters to the needs of Bootle and its community.”
Summers Inmann has prepared the demolition method, which will see the Strand remain open to the public.
To find out more about the plans, search for application number DC/2023/01735 on Sefton Council’s planning portal.
