Demolition begins at Bootle Strand
VINCI Construction UK has started work, officially marking the first phase of Sefton’s flagship regeneration project as the council looks to reposition the town centre.
The early parts of the drive to reshape Bootle have included projects such as the Salt & Tar venue as Sefton Council looks to build up a visitor economy.
On-site works are now underway, with VINCI’s demolition and initial site works scheduled to continue through to December 2025.
Businesses located in and around the Strand will remain open and operational throughout the transformation, ensuring continued service for customers and support for the local economy, the council said.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, skills and employment, said: “This is a significant moment not just for Bootle, but for the whole of Sefton. The Strand has played an important role in the lives of generations, and now we’re laying the foundations for a future that reflects our community’s aspirations.
“Today’s progress is the result of years of collaboration, local insight, and determination to secure a brighter future. We’re committed to supporting local businesses throughout the works, ensuring they continue to thrive as we invest in long-term growth.”
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.
Updated plans for the next steps were approved in January. 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.
The canalside public realm will be enhanced by repurposing a 3,700 sq ft lower ground floor unit to provide an active frontage to the waterside. In addition, demolition work will reconnect the Strand with Stanley Road.
Sefton’s project is supported by a £20m grant from central government alongside additional funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which has already provided more than £2m in the acquisition, demolition, and layout costs for the Salt and Tar site, transforming previously unused space into a multifunctional events venue.
This phase as consented is only the first of four phases concerning the wider overhaul of Bootle Strand, with K2 Architects leading on design. Sefton Council acquired the Strand in Bootle in 2017 in a £32.5m purchase. A digital and creative hub, office space and health & social care uses could all come into paly at the site.
Professionals working on the scheme include landscape architect OPEN, Summers-Inman, WSP, and Avison Young on planning.
Previous owners must still be laughing their heads off that Sefton Council paid them £32.5 million given what other obsolete shopping centres have sold for.
Also good times for all the consultants being paid to suggest what *could* go there, draw nice pictures, and come up with names like “multifunctional events venue” to describe a cleared demolition site with no long-term use on the horizon (while Sefton makes no actual progress on the venue in Southport meant to be housed in an actual building).
By Stanley Toad
Done properly this could be a success as when shopping now people want that extra dimension of eating, drinking, and entertainment.
There is a train station nearby, plenty of buses, and parking shouldn’t be too problematic, if the area is tastefully landscaped people will find it an attractive place to spend time.
By Anonymous
Whilst neglecting the rest of South Sefton
By Anonymous
One of those professionals specialise in planning and highways in their Liverpool office. Be lucky if you can find one structural, civil or fire engineer based in there and yet they get a big local authority project. When are councils going to get serious about creating new jobs and social value, instead of making easy choices.
By Sid Plum
What is F&B or is that Sefton Council talk
By Anonymous
I hope there will be plenty of cover. The original Bootle Strand was awful in the winter and during bad weather.
By Anonymous