Town set to become 'home to city's match goers'

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Fans make their way to the stadium before Premier League match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

Bootle is set to become home to the city’s match-goers, according to Sefton Council, as it looks to improve links with the Hill Dickinson stadium and bolster the town’s leisure and night-time economies.

Stephen Watson is Sefton Council’s executive director for place and includes leading the regeneration project in Bootle Town Centre.

Mr Watson presented the Strand Business Plan report to Sefton Council’s cabinet at Southport town hall this morning (September 4), and asked councillors to approve a series of recommendations, including a Supplementary Capital Estimate of £17.935m.

Demolition at Bootle Strand has officially begun marking the first phase of a major regeneration project.

Sefton Council said the transformation of the iconic shopping centre will revitalise the area and mark the next chapter for the town.

The Strand has been a central part of Bootle’s identity and economy since it opened in 1968.

It now stands as one of the focal points of Sefton Council’s regeneration programme, which aims to reshape the town centre into a more accessible, vibrant and appealing destination.

The crowd watch The Real Thing play at Salt and Tar in Bootle this evening(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Bootle Strand was purchased by Sefton Council seven years ago for £32.5m and the local authority laid out plans for a landmark regeneration project to “secure its future”.

The latter development has been a cause of much optimism.

The Strand Business Plan report said: “The proposed investment in the Strand Transformation Phase 1 and the associated enabling works will help improve consumer and investor confidence and demonstrate to the market that Bootle is changing.

“This coupled with continued development of Salt and Tar brand and match day events is anticipated to drive up footfall and improve investor confidence.

Discussions are ongoing with both Everton Football Club and Liverpool Football Club with regard to the opportunities for Bootle to support – and benefit from – matchday and other event activities.”

Demolition underway at Bootle Strand(Image: EFP Drone Footage)

The council said it anticipates the development of Bootle’s cultural and leisure economy will result in an improvement in the financial performance of The Strand over future years.

Responding to the report, Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “Can I just ask about the sort of linkages to the Hill Dickinson stadium […] and what benefits will come from that?”

Mr Watson explained: “The original planning permission for the shuttle buses moving between the stadium and The Strand were always built in, and we found that after each game so far, usage of those have grown significantly.

“The uptake from the second game was 50% more than the first game, and we see that in car parking within The Strand.