Bootle Strand reset approved
Consent granted yesterday allows the first stage of a wider plan to improve footfall at the shopping centre to proceed by reworking an M&S store into an F&B destination.
Phase 1 A-C of the project concerns the refurbishment of Bootle’s M&S and the link of the canalside area, which already hosts an operational outdoor venue called Salt & Tar.
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.

The view from Salt & Tar, with the lower retail unit at the corner. Credit: planning documents
Designs have been drawn up by landscape architect OPEN and Summers-Inman. WSP is providing advice for the plans. Avison Young worked as the planning agent for the scheme.
The consented phase is only the first of four phases concerning the wider £20m overhaul of Bootle Strand, with K2 Architects leading on design.
Sefton Council acquired the Strand in Bootle in 2017 after a £32.5m purchase.
To view this application, use the reference number DC/2024/01890 on Sefton Council’s planning portal.
I hope there will be access for disabled users, esculaters that work and not a lot of steps to clime please.
By Valerie Smith
It’s about time, tbe Strand is the hub of the community. Bootle has sadly been neglected for many many years , has all of the funding previously gone to Southport?? They are talking about Southport needing a new pier. Let’s wait and see what happens in the future.
By Anonymous
Why is Sefton council pouring good money in a money draining project when they let southport pier rot
By Anonymous
I’ve been talking about doing Bootle Strand up for years and years and years I can’t see it ever happening
By Anonymous
Absolutely fantastic news for a deprived area. It’s wonderful to see all the hard work and yards put in by all concerned from the Bootle community and Sefton Council. Wel Done! With the new Bramley – Moore complex nearing completion, this will only attract more business and much needed jobs and revenue. So pleasing to read “Good News”
By Anonymous
Looks like a concrete loads of steps. Bad design of a good area of land.
By Tracy
Bootle strand needs to be a decent shopping centre like it used to be opening more and new shops
By Anonymous
A waste of money, people are turning away from conventional shops.
This money should be spent on Southport pier, as was the agreement.
By Bob Marshall
What a waste of council money could have been spent better, M-S could have been turned into an indoor market.
Also should have been a complete reshaping of strand but people I believe couldn’t have thee say
By Anonymous