Demolition of former Birkenhead House of Fraser cleared
Wirral Council has signed off the levelling of the old department store to make way for a new market hall and, possibly, 84 homes.
Wirral Growth Company, a joint venture between the council and developer Muse, received approval last week for the demolition of buildings at 88-92 Grange Road and 53 Oliver Street East in Birkenhead.
Curtins is the engineer assisting with the demolition, while AHR created the demolition plan. Stantec is the planning consultant.
With the old House of Fraser gone, the path will be clear for Wirral Growth Company to build a new market hall, with ample public space for events, street trading, and spill-out seating. Plans for this new market are understood to be submitted soon, following a consultation held earlier this year.
This new market hall would replace the 90,000 sq ft Birkenhead Market that sits just minutes away. That market will then be demolished.
In addition to a new market hall going on the site of the former House of Fraser, Wirral Council is exploring constructing a minimum of 84 homes on the site of 92 Grange Road.
A March regeneration committee report stated that the council was looking to appoint a delivery partner to help with the design of the scheme, which would feature high-quality, mixed-tenure homes. That same report said the council would aim to deliver the homes by the end of March 2025.
Why create a derelict site bang opposite those swanky new offices they’re building? Surely someone can be tasked with programming the old market hall to give it some use whilst they work out what to do with it? Gigs? Events? Anything to bring more people into town and broaden its demographic.
By Birket Boy
Very much hope that this is a market that trades in quality food ie cheeses, bread, fruit and veg, flowers etc and also reflects the modern trend whereby you can sit and relax at a cafe with a coffee or alcohol .
There is no need for clothing , hardware, or football regalia.
Birkenhead will not attract customers by trading in down market goods.
By Anonymous
Demolishing the House of Fraser before having any commitment to a market smacks of hubris….
By Anonymous
All the building materials, design and energy requirements incorporated in the design should be renewable and sustainable. Building materials from demolition should also be reused and/or recycled where possible.
By Anonymous