Wirral to kill unpopular Argos market plan
Controversial proposals to relocate Birkenhead market to the vacant Princes Pavement retail unit are to be paused while the council considers its options.
Wirral Council approved the £12m plan to move the market to the former Argos unit in March 2024 and gave the nod to Seddon Construction to carry out preliminary work this March.
However, at a meeting next week, councillors are expected to vote to take “no further steps” on the project, meaning the Seddon contract will not be signed.
A report to the council’s economy, regeneration, and housing committee states the project “no longer aligns with the overall plan and timescales for the regeneration of the town centre”. In short, concerns have been raised about the location of the site, deemed to be on the fringes of the retail core.
Some £1.3m has been spent on the scheme to date, according to the report.
Options being considered are as follows:
- Refurb the existing 90,000 sq ft market in full or in part
- Close the market and not create a new one
- Relocate traders into the Pyramids Shopping Centre or Grange Precinct on an interim or permanent basis
- New-build option in a suitable location.
The initial plan for the market was to move it to the former House of Fraser store. However, this was scrapped after costs for the project spiralled to £31.6m, significantly higher than the £24m 2021 cost estimate, it was reported in 2023.
It was at this point that the Argos option was put forward. However, this proved controversial and unpopular with many traders.
The latest twist in the Birkenhead market saga will do little to restore public confidence in Wirral Council, which has come under fire recently for its handling of a public realm project that saw costs balloon from £12m to £24m.
The authority also said goodbye to its fifth regen lead in recent years this month.
For the large part, the market sells cheap tat and that has set the tone for the overall experience. It serves its market, of course: those on stretched incomes needing value. Nowt wrong with that. Its current location, next to the bus station, was perfect in that regard, but I suspect the council’s decision to put shiny new office blocks next door sealed its fate. Either way, it’s not something in its current form that is going to bring new visitors to Birkenhead – higher spending, higher earning ones. But given the sort of markets that appeal to them – a completely different demographic – there’s room for both, surely? The choice doesn’t have to be either/or.
By Birket Boy
Might be a case of “be careful what you wish for” here for the very small number of traders remaining in the existing market hall who did everything possible to scupper the Argos plan.
All the other options bar one – including doing the same as the Argos plan but in the former M&S as favoured by the traders – look like coming in at the same or higher cost and also conditions on what the Government capital funding can be used for.
Given the state of Wirral’s finances, anything needing a day-to-day ongoing subsidy from the revenue budget will likely be out of the question. Can see individual traders being offered some support to take up empty units in the shopping centre, but only to get them up and running. Not really much argument for subsidising some of the existing traders – eg opticians, carpets – when things can easily be found elsewhere.
See also LCC deciding “enough’s enough” with St John’s…
By Grey Market
Going in the old Marksies was probably the best option; integral to the shopping precinct and more chance to pick up passing trade.
Either way, there needs to be closure for all parties involved. It’s to the detriment of Birkenhead the way this is rumbling on. Meanwhile the likes of Preston and Chester are showing how things can be done with the range of stalls and services on offer.
As Birket Boy suggests, the offer has to be proportionate with the punters and budget available. I would imagine once more and more of Wirral Waters comes on line, there will be a different demographic to cater… although some retail opportunities will probably remain in WW’s domain.
By Anonymous
What a waste of £1.3m to date on a scheme that never made sense. Worth adding in the cost spent on the proposed market on the old House of Fraser site to in order to try and ascertain the total figure wasted by the Council.
By Grange
Can’t say it’s boosted my confidence with Wirral Council. It just proves how much money they waste, lack of planning and refusal to listen to those affected by their grand plans. To say it’s been killed isn’t really correct, it’s just been put on hold until the next expensive planning get together. Just restore the existing market, it’s in the perfect location, one everyone knows. All the grand plans are destined to fail, those fancy CGI images don’t show reality, the new Lego buildings on Wirral Waters is one big fail. If the aroma from the docks isn’t enough, buyers are charged sky high rates to park there so choose to park on the busy dock road, which blocks the view of those who chose to pay the fee. It’s an accident waiting to happen, but hey the fancy images promote something different.
By Sarah Gee
The town has became a ghost town . With all the works going on and having to manoeuvre through the barricades put up . This has made people go else where for their shopping so Birkenhead Council are spending millions to attract people here and the shops are all turning into charity shops .
By Maria
Wirral Council is worse than useless.
By Anonymous
What a mess.
By Anonymous
Refurbish the market.
In a perfect position where it is.
Just needs bringing up to date..
By Anonymous
Pay consultants vast sums to come up with the predictable scheme to create a fancy food and drink hall with cocktail bar and a couple of tiny stalls. You can expect this sort of grand plan to be coming to St. john’s any day now.
By Harry Turnbull