Kirkby’s new supermarket will soon become visible as work on the long-awaited town centre development continues despite the pandemic.
Pictures released by Knowsley Council show the site earmarked for a new Morrisons has been levelled and is ready for construction to begin after years of inactivity.
Work on the new retail development began in December after the council bought the town centre in order to kick-start the redevelopment that had been stalled for decades.
Now the site has been cleared and levelled, residents will begin to see steelwork being put up at the end of the month.
The site has been largely empty since the former In Shops market and Asda were demolished at the end of 2017.
Years of delay followed as developer St Modwen received planning permission for a retail development but failed to start work due to financial concerns about the project.
Last year, Knowsley Council bought the town centre from St Modwen for £43.7 million, with leader Graham Morgan saying the public had “waited too long” for the private sector to start redeveloping Kirkby.
Following the release of the pictures, taken by the contractor GMI, cabinet member for regeneration Tony Brennan tweeted: “Great to see the progress being made on the new retail development in Kirkby town centre.
“Thanks to GMI Construction for working in challenging conditions throughout this pandemic to get the site levelled and ready for the steelwork going up.”
Along with the new supermarket, the site will also include a Reel cinema and other shops and restaurants.
