Bootle Strand demolition completed as Sefton expands Salt and Tar horizons

VINCI Building’s work on phase one of Sefton Council’s flagship regeneration programme will enable a new Mons Square and improvements around the Salt and Tar events space, which could also be added to with a permanent indoor venue.

Sefton said that following the shopping centre’s raxing, the next steps will focus on preparing the site for a redesigned Mons Square and improvements to Salt and Tar.

Salt and Tar will be central to Sefton’s ambitions: the council has today announced that its expression of interest for Town of Culture status in 2028 will include significant investment in the venue, with a high‑quality, multi‑use indoor events space alongside the existing outdoor facility – well received since its inception, the outdoor space is in line for expansion to 5,000 capacity regardless.

The council said that a feasibility study had highlighted “the need for permanent, high‑quality infrastructure, development” to underpin the bid. Developed alongside the growing outdoor space at Salt and Tar, a covered indoor venue would help deliver a stronger, year‑round cultural programme for Bootle, the council believes.

Could Salt and Tar’s remit be expanded? Credit: Sefton Council

Facilities should also include rehearsal and recording spaces that support grassroots artists in Bootle, Sefton and beyond, said the local authority.

As things stand, the Bootle site has a clean slate. More than 60 tonnes of steel and around five tonnes of timber have been recovered and recycled from the demolition.

In addition, approximately 8,000 tonnes of brick and concrete were processed on site and reused as engineering fill, much of which will be retained for the next phase of construction.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills, said: “This is an important step forward for Bootle. Quality public spaces and improved facilities that people have asked for, starting with a new Mons Square and better infrastructure for Salt and Tar.

“Thank you to residents, businesses and our project partners for their patience and support as we move into the next phase.”

Next on the agenda is delivery of detailed designs for the new public realm that will be a critical part of improved links around the town centre, including the refreshed Mons Square.

As reported by Place North West at the outset of the demolition phase last summer, phase one of the Bootle town centre transformation plan is intended to deliver high-quality public spaces, modern retail and leisure units, flexible business accommodation, improved transport links, and enhanced community and cultural facilities.

The reworking of an M&S store into an F&B destination is a crucial part of the project, along with linking up the canalside area, where Salt & Tar has found its home.

The reworked former M&S store will feature 7,700 sq ft of F&B space, 14,300 sq ft of community use space, and 5,300 sq ft of exhibition space.

Sefton’s project is supported by a £20m grant from central government alongside additional funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.