• Part of masterplan to reshape the 1960s shopping complex

• £7.1m from Strategic Investment Fund to support phase one of the project

• Regeneration builds on success of neighbouring Salt and Tar venue

Ambitious plans to transform Bootle Strand shopping centre are set to be unlocked with a £7m investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

As part of a broader regeneration of the town centre, Sefton Council is aiming to breathe fresh life into the underused complex at the heart of Bootle town centre, which it bought in 2017.

The project is backed by £20m of government funding alongside significant investment from the Combined Authority and from Sefton Council. The partnership is already delivering visible results including the nearby Salt and Tar events venue, which has brought big-name acts such as Tom Jones and thousands of visitors to the area.

Partial demolition is under way with the removal of the Palatine atrium roof and shop canopies, and space is being cleared for a new public square.  To unlock the wider transformation, preparatory work is needed to secure the site and refurbish areas set to remain open during reconstruction.

Combined Authority members will next week consider investing £7.1m from the Strategic Investment Fund for remedial works, relocating key tenants, refurbishing retained areas with new public toilets and fitting out units for local independent traders.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:

“For generations, the Strand has been at the heart of Bootle – but like so many town centres up and down the country, it’s felt the impact of changing shopping habits, online retailing and underinvestment. We’re determined to put that right.

“This is about much more than bricks and mortar – it’s about giving Bootle the vibrant, thriving town centre the community deserves. By working with Sefton Council, we’re helping to unlock the Strand’s potential, attract new businesses and visitors, and create a place that local people can be proud of once again.”

The Strand has been a central part of Bootle’s identity and economy since it opened in 1968 but shifting retail patterns and a lack of diversification have contributed to its decline. The proposed first phase of regeneration is intended as a catalyst to build confidence in Bootle Town Centre, driving future private investment.

Plans for regeneration gathered pace in March 2023 with the award of £20m from the government, alongside previous Combined Authority funding for the acquisition and demolition of vacant assets adjacent between the Strand and the Canalside.

The first phase will see the refurbishment of the former M&S building, partial demolition to create the new Mons Square, and improved links to the Canalside area, home to Salt & Tar.

A report to the Combined Authority meeting of 26 September recommends that authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery to approve the provision of £7.1m.

Sefton Council is working with residents, businesses and partners to make sure the transformation reflects community needs – from new green outdoor spaces to improved connections with key destinations like the new Hill Dickinson Stadium and the proposed North Liverpool – South Sefton new town.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Employment, Education and Skills, and leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said:

“This investment is a vital step in delivering the ambitious vision we have for Bootle town centre. The Strand has been at the heart of our community for generations and these plans will ensure it continues to play that role for decades to come. 

“We are creating a vibrant, modern destination that combines retail, leisure and community spaces.  

“Building on the success of Salt and Tar, which has already brought thousands of visitors and major events to Bootle, and with improved links to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, this transformation will put Bootle firmly on the map as a place to live, work, and enjoy.  

“It’s about creating opportunities, attracting investment, and giving local people a town centre they can be proud of.”