Knowsley Council continues to invest in improvement projects to help the borough recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Council invested over £52m in its Capital Programme last year and will invest a further £90m over the next three years to improve the lives of residents.
Members of Knowsley’s Cabinet has approved the new three year Capital Programme, that will help support local jobs, businesses and the local economy.
The investment includes:
The new Kirkby town centre retail development – many of the units are now operating, including KFC, Taco Bell and the Morrisons petrol station. The Morrisons superstore is scheduled to open on Thursday 21 October, while the new Home Bargains store is undergoing an internal fit out. Plans are in place for a multi-screen cinema and new food and drink outlets.
Shakespeare North Playhouse – as with our other major development projects, construction has progressed despite the challenges of the pandemic. The Playhouse is on track to open next year to coincide with Knowsley’s borough of culture year. The Playhouse is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors a year, creating new jobs and bringing a multi-million pound boost to the local economy.
Huyton Village Centre Shopfront Improvement Scheme – The Shopfront Improvement Scheme continues to progress in Huyton Village Centre with a number of units already completed, making significant improvement to Derby Road. The scheme has helped attract new businesses to the Village Centre and diversified the offer with a number of new bars and restaurants.
Halsnead Garden Village – Once complete Halsnead Garden Village will incorporate 1,600 homes and at least 22.5ha of employment land, together with new education and health provision. The new green space for Halsnead Garden Village will include a 28ha country park. Local residents are currently being consulted on proposed new green space for Halsnead Garden Village.
Other areas of investment include:
- Improved transports links across the borough
- Improved playing fields in our schools
- New 3G pitches in Halewood
Cllr Jayne Aston, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Our Capital Programme will deliver real improvement to the lives of all our residents. This is particularly important as the borough recovers from the pandemic. There is genuine ‘bricks and mortar’ evidence to show how the Council is tackling the recovery and there is plenty more to look forward to that will benefit the whole of the borough in the long term.”