Altrincham’s New Market Square and Colwyn Bay’s new council offices could inspire the regeneration of Huyton town centre.
Following the redevelopment of Prescot and Kirkby , Knowsley Council is beginning to consider a third major project for the borough centred on the council’s own headquarters.
Summarising plans for councillors on Tuesday evening, officers pointed to developments in other towns like Altrincham and Colwyn Bay to demonstrate the sort of plans they were considering for Huyton .
Tony Clark, head of the borough’s major development team, said: “When you look at what the council’s actual requirements are, there’s a lot more opportunity, potentially for commercial, residential or hotel uses.”
The council has been considering a redevelopment of the area since at least 2016 , producing a masterplan three years ago that included major changes to the town’s “civic core” - the seven-acre site owned by the council including the civic centre, surrounding car parks, library and other buildings.
Since then, the council has also purchased the former fire station and, according to Mr Clark, is looking at buying the neighbouring ambulance station for redevelopment and is putting together a “land assembly fund” in case other opportunities arise.
Mr Clark added: “More plans are afoot. We are potentially looking at opportunities for a pop-up cinema.
“We’re looking at further phases of building improvements at the former NatWest and the premises currently occupied by Boots.”
However, the first change to the “civic core” is likely to be the demolition of The Venue, which closed at the end of last year after it had become a drain on council resources.
The building is slated for demolition, with the site then being turned into a car park prior to the redevelopment of the area.
The council has also contracted with architects Brock Carmichael to begin putting together plans for its new civic offices.
