Work on the transformation of a key site in Kirkby Town Centre is now complete.
The site has been transformed into a modern and sustainable travel hub following a complete refurbishment, both internally and externally.
Work has included a complete overhaul of all eight levels, providing long stay, short stay, and accessible bays, electric charging points, cycle storage, CCTV and sensor controlled lighting.
Electric car charging points in the refurbished car park
The Council secured £2.2m of funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to pay for a range of improvement and conversion works.
The investment has been used to support employment in the local area with the transformation of the Car Park helping to secure new tenants in the adjacent building, Central House (the former Barclaycard building). Additional jobs in the local area also leads to more people using the Town Centre, which supports other local businesses and shops.
The refurbishment also addresses the Council’s “net zero” climate change commitments.
The Council now hopes that the refurbished travel hub will not only support existing businesses and their employees but also act as a catalyst to attract even more new businesses and employers into Kirkby Town Centre, and particularly the adjacent 3.5 acre development site which has the capacity to deliver new residential, hotel, and commercial office space development.
Aerial shot of the car park
The car park is open from 7.30am until 7.00pm from Monday to Saturday. Free long and short stay car parking is provided both at this site, and also across all Council-owned car parks in Knowsley.
Councillor Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council said: “We knew that Central House was likely to remain empty unless we did something to address the condition of the adjacent car park, so I’m delighted that we have been able to transform this prime site in Kirkby Town Centre and that we are already welcoming additional workers and visitors into Kirkby as a direct result.
The works have created a warm welcome into our town and also support a key priority for us which is to retain and attract more businesses, drive footfall to Kirkby Town Centre, and, in turn, create more jobs for local people.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, added
“This project is another example of how Combined Authority investment is helping to breathe new life into Kirkby town centre, supporting local businesses and creating jobs for local people.
“By transforming a dilapidated 1960s car park into a modern, sustainable travel hub, we’re making it easier for people to visit and work in Kirkby. It’s another step forward in our commitment to build a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future for all our communities.”