Bootle is headed for transformation and regeneration as Sefton Council have been granted planning permission for a new food, drink and events space in the heart of the Bootle, on the waterside of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
Bootle Canalside, a multi-functional, open air food, drink and events space, is set to host a temporary pop up event over the August bank holiday. Local food and drink traders will serve food and drink from around the world from refurbished shipping containers in a nod to Bootle’s industrial history.
The event will be an opportunity to test the site with the community and gather feedback on what people in Bootle want to see from this exciting, new venue.
Located on a near derelict site in the town centre, Bootle Canalside, once completed, will include an urban garden, food and drink offer, leisure uses and events spaces. It will be a vibrant recreation and leisure area that makes full use of its fantastic setting and brings a new element to Bootle’s local economy. The space will bring new activity to the under-used land; stimulating the local economy, transforming the look and feel of the town for residents, businesses and visitors and improving the quality of life for the community.
The Canalside site is one of a number of areas of exciting progress in Bootle. The development of an Area Action Plan in the coming months will ensure the views of the local communities and businesses who passionately want to see significant and transformational changes in Bootle are reflected in the plans. Alongside this, work continues on the future of the Strand Shopping Centre and the Council’s bid for the government’s Levelling Up Fund has been submitted.
The £14.5million bid – if approved by Government – will see construction and launch of a new, hi-tech digital and Virtual Reality (VR) venue hosting a unique visitor attraction and providing places for technology enhanced ‘competitive socialising.’ Bootle’s “Flying Theatre” will use a robotic hydraulic platform to create the feeling of flying through the British Isles and a VR Time-Travel Tunnel will take visitors on a journey through the ‘History of Bootle and Liverpool’, including an experience of the Blitz.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:
“We are proudly and passionately committed to the regeneration of Bootle which has been hit hard by the pandemic and has too often been overlooked.
“Our plans for transformation will contribute positively to the local and regional economy through job creation and act as a catalyst for wider investment, bringing interest and much needed focus to an area of our borough that is filled with opportunities.
“I am pleased with our progress so far as we continue on the road to regenerating one of our much loved town centres, the granting of planning permission for Bootle Canalside brings a key project one step closer and I know exciting times lie ahead for Bootle.”
