The ongoing regeneration of Kirkby Town Centre continues to be a priority for the Council.
Significant progress has been made in recent years, particularly after the Council bought the town centre for £43.6m in 2019 in order to kick-start its development. Just two years later in 2021 and despite having to progress during the lockdowns arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council completed the delivery of a major new retail extension for the town with 94,000 feet2 of modern new space. This successful project helped to boost the local economy by £15.3m per annum, as well as creating over 490 jobs.
A new Train Station has also been delivered at Headbolt Lane and the multi-storey car park in Kirkby Town Centre has been transformed into a modern “travel hub”, thanks to £2.2m of funding secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The refurbishment of the car park directly led to new tenants signing up for accommodation in the adjacent Central House offices and will now help support this next phase of regeneration.
Following the success of the work over the last few years, a further phase of new retail in Kirkby Town Centre has now been agreed by the Council’s Cabinet (on 15 January 2025) and will provide a further 29,000 feet2 of modern retail space.
Plans also include promoting the “Kirkby Gateway” opportunity site (off Hall Lane) – this site of the former Kirkby Civic Building and Kirkby Swimming Pool has the capacity to deliver new homes, a hotel, and commercial office space to serve the town.
Through public consultations in Kirkby (“What Makes A Good Town Centre?” in March 2020 and “Let’s Talk About Kirkby” in 2024), many Kirkby residents have consistently asked for a more diverse range of shopping facilities.
This further phase of retail has been actively marketed to identify interested parties who would be prepared to deliver, construct, and occupy the development. As a result of wider investment in Kirkby, a pipeline of much-needed new homes, and the success of the new retail development which has been delivered by the Council, there is now strong market demand for further retail space to provide services which local residents want.
Councillor Tony Brennan, Regeneration and Economic Development Cabinet Member, said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce a further new phase of retail development in Kirkby Town Centre. I know that local people have been asking for a wider offer in terms of retail in the town and I’m hopeful that we will be able to secure tenants very soon and then progress these plans.
“Kirkby has been identified as a great business location – footfall in the town has increased by a massive 160% and Kirkby Town Centre was highlighted by the Financial Times as one of the top three areas to best recover from the pandemic.
“Also, the newly refurbished travel hub has been a catalyst for businesses locating to Kirkby, particularly to Central House.
“Kirkby really is a fantastic location – for businesses, residents, visitors and investors – and I am looking forward to seeing the expansion of our retail offer.”