Knowsley Council has an ambitious 10 year development plan for Huyton with includes the delivery of a new mixed-use commercial district and an attractive Village Green. Work is already underway to progress that plan.
Already, 14 shop fronts have received a contemporary makeover including new doors, windows, signage and lighting. A further two phases of shop front improvements are planned over the coming months – units from the Halifax Building Society up to Heron Foods and the second phase is the former Post Office. Both phases are prominent locations in the village centre.
The shop front improvement scheme has helped to attract more businesses into Huyton and support a growing night-time economy with a range of food and drink outlets now open.
Bella LaVita is now offering breakfast, lunch and homemade desserts and Dos Urbano Bar will be opening in the former Barnado’s building in the coming months.
In addition, the Village Centre has recently welcomed The Nail Bar, that opened in the former Santander building.
Just a few weeks ago (on 25 May 2023), MAKE CIC opened a creative space, occupying 47-49 Derby Road (the former Boots store). It provides a collaborative space for making, learning, exploring and sharing. Already, MAKE has nine tenants occupying the space and they look forward to welcoming more over the coming months. If you’re interested letting a space at Make Huyton please email Hello@makecic.org or call 0151 601 8665.
As part of the development plans for Huyton, a number of key sites have been primed for development, including the demolition of the Council’s former Venue and Yorkon Buildings.
Over the coming weeks, further activity will be seen in the Village Centre as enabling works commence. This will largely consist of site surveys and ground investigations to understand the land conditions in the area in preparation for future development and to support future funding bids. Further details regarding when and where this work is taking place will be shared once the programme has been confirmed.
Plus, a number of culture and art projects are being delivered in Huyton. Artist Martin Heron will be creating a public art trail in Huyton Village Centre and he is seeking the views of residents, businesses and visitors about Huyton’s past, present and future in order to inform the trail. You can visit Martin at MAKE’s “on the corner” base on 16 and 17 August, or you can complete a short online survey. Further details can be found here.
MAKE On the Corner has also been chosen for a mural in the Live Bomb series, managed by Liverpool artist Emily Salinas. The mural, which will focus on connection and showing appreciation for the people we care about, will be painted by Becky Gillivray this week.
A further mural has been commissioned by Heart of Glass as part of Art Council England’s Creative People and Places project which includes the theme of Huyton’s Story. Further details will be shared on when and where this will be located once confirmed.
The Council has also invested in the multi-storey car park, including the installation of CCTV, lighting and general maintenance upgrades.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “We remain committed to delivering our development plans for Huyton and work is progressing to ensure that our plans are “construction ready”.
“Our enabling works will support our plans and help to accelerate our development proposals by identifying the land conditions.
“It’s also great to see Huyton’s food and drink offer and the emerging night-time economy going from strength to strength with more enquiries being received to be part of this offer.”