Ambitious plans to reimagine Bootle Strand shopping centre are set to move forward thanks to a proposed £7.1m investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The funding would help unlock the next phase of Sefton Council’s regeneration of the town centre, breathing new life into the much-loved but underused complex at the heart of Bootle. The council, which purchased the Strand in 2017, is working alongside the Combined Authority and government to deliver the multi-million-pound scheme, backed by £20m of Levelling Up funding.
The partnership is already making a visible impact. Nearby Salt and Tar, the new events space, has welcomed major acts including Tom Jones and drawn thousands of visitors to Bootle.
Work on the Strand has also begun, with partial demolition now underway. The removal of the Palatine atrium roof and shop canopies will make way for a new public square, a focal point of the town centre’s transformation.
The latest funding would cover essential preparatory works, ensuring the centre remains operational during reconstruction. Plans include relocating key tenants, refurbishing retained areas, introducing new public toilets, and fitting out flexible units for local independent traders.
Members of the Combined Authority will consider the investment at their meeting next week.
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.”
