While the Bootle regeneration project has been taking place, we’ve been speaking to members of the local community and getting their views. Below is a number of frequently asked questions so far. These will be updated as the project progresses.
The Strand sits at the centre of Bootle and is really important to the Town. Any investment in the Strand needs to bring new jobs and opportunities for residents and attract more people into Bootle. It will be the focal point of a more vibrant Bootle with a wider range of activities including leisure, food and drink, health, education and culture.
There will be more open areas, green space, and better links for those visiting the Centre on foot or by public transport. The centre will look and feel much more welcoming and will create a better experience for people shopping and accessing facilities.
You can be taken through and around the Strand’s remodelled and new indoor and outdoor spaces, including the planned new town square, green spaces and community areas in this short CGI fly-through here - The Strand Transformation fly-through
Sefton Council bought the Strand Shopping Centre in 2017 as a key part of its commitment to regenerate the town centre. The Strand is really important to Bootle, but it needs investment to ensure it is a thriving, sustainable asset at the heart of the town for the longer term.
Our high streets have and are going through a period of huge change. This change is driven by the growth of online shopping, our changing consumer habits during the COVID-19 pandemic and people looking for a different experience within our town centres.
Bootle Strand continues to generate a good level of footfall and has a range of retailers you would expect to see in a centre of this type. However, the Council want to include a wider range of uses in the Centre – including food and drink, leisure, education and health. This will encourage more people to visit the Strand.
The new and vibrant activity is being developed to stimulate the local economy, transform the look and feel of the Town for residents, businesses and visitors and improve the quality of life for local people.
The first part of the project is demolition. Pre-demolition (enabling) work is underway, including internal strip-out and adjustments to power and water supplies. New hoardings will go up in May 2025, and demolition will start shortly after this. The demolition is expected to take about six months, with redevelopment starting immediately after it is complete.
The Phase 1 works are being funded by a £20m grant from Central Government, that Sefton Council was awarded in March 2023, and through funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. These works include demolition, green terraces the new Mons Square and the initial redevelopment of the former Marks and Spencer unit. The Council is working closely with a range of partners to secure funding for further phases of the transformation work.
Retail has changed a lot since the Council bought The Strand in 2017. The initial priority for the Council on buying the centre was to ensure there was a robust management plan in place, and to understand the key issues facing the retailers and the centre in general. The COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the retail market but also meant that the Council’s focus had to remain on the management of the centre.
The Council has been working with the City Region Combined Authority around the transformation of the Strand since 2021. The award of money from Central Government in 2023 means that this transformation can now begin.
The area next to the canal, now known as Salt and Tar, is an outdoor events space in the heart of Bootle. It has been used for a range of community and large-scale events. 2024 was the first year of running a full events programme, with Tom Jones playing two nights in August as part of the music weekender.
This year the Music Weekender will return, with headliners including Billy Ocean, The K's, Sugababes and Ocean Colour Scene. The venue will host a brand-new Fringe Festival in May, Sefton Pride in June and a Food and Drink Festival in July 2025.
The Salt and Tar site will be linked to the wider open spaces being developed as part of the Strand repurposing project.
Future plans for the Salt and Tar site include a mix of community and ticketed events. More information about the site can be found www.saltandtarbootle.com or by emailing saltandtar@sefton.gov.uk
Salt and Tar’s events programme will be popping up at other locations around Bootle in 2026 whilst the redevelopment and expansion of Salt and Tar is under construction. Watch this space!
The Strand will remain open while works are carried out and entrances, exits and ways through will be well signed. The repurposing works take place in a way that minimises disruption to both businesses and visitors.
During this time, residents and visitors are encouraged to keep visiting the shopping centre and supporting local retailers. There will be plenty of activities and events taking place in The Strand over the year, with something for everyone.
Barker Proudlove is responsible for letting space within The Strand. If you would like to find out more about the opportunities and units available, please contact jon@barkerproudlove.co.uk who will be able to provide you with more information.
There is a website for the transformation project that can be accessed at Bootle Strand (sefton.gov.uk) which will be updated on a regular basis and there will be regular updates on social media. The Project Team can also be contacted at strandfuture@sefton.gov.uk or through the Sefton Councils Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845.
The Project Team are also arranging meetings with community groups and Strand tenants and residents of Strand House will receive regular updates on project progress. There will also be information sessions and workshops held in The Bootle Hive, which is located in the Strand Shopping Centre, opposite the Coffee House to further engage people in the project.
Any community engagement we do as part of the Bootle Town Centre Transformation Project will be closely linked to the Bootle Area Action Plan process.
Sefton have appointed Vinci as the contractor for the demolition phase. Work will typically take place from 07:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday. There may be occasional weekend working. For any issues during the demolition work please contact Rachel Greenwood (VINCI Building) on 0300 600 3800. Full FAQ’s on the demolition works can be found here - 250225bootle_demo_boardswebv1.pdf
No, there are no plans to demolish the Triad or Strand House as part of this project.
There are no plans to change traffic movements along Stanley Road as part of the Transformation Project. While there will be some changes to pedestrian access to the Shopping Centre, we are aiming to minimise disruption for both visitors and businesses, and we will continue to promote a ‘We are Open’ message throughout the Project.
In the conversations we have had with local people and Centre users many have stated that they want the shopping area roof to remain. There are currently no plans to remove the roof from those areas of the Strand Shopping Centre that are not being demolished.
While the Transformation project is taking place temporary toilets have been installed on level 1 of the multi-storey carpark. These include an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. The toilets can be accessed by the lift or stairs by SpecSavers. By the end of 2025, new permanent toilets will be installed, including male and female facilities, an accessible toilet, baby changing facilities, and a Changing Places toilet.
We know that this is a concern for local residents and businesses. In response Sefton MBC are working with our partners to tackle this issue. The work will see us working alongside services to provide health and wellbeing advice/support as well as enforcement action against those that continue to cause anti-social behaviour or commit criminal offences in and around the Strand. The plans for the Strand Transformation also include better lighting and security cameras, and we are currently looking at how the existing security service within the Strand will work in the new spaces.
The planning application, which was submitted in October 2024, is for a community hub but we are currently working with partners and engaging with potential occupiers/tenants to identify options for this space - this includes undertaking a feasibility study for an integrated health and social care hub.
Any potential offer at the Strand would complement, not duplicate, existing offers within the community.
The former M&S unit will also include smaller lettable retail units which would front on to the new Mons Square. An occupier strategy for the lower ground floor is being developed.
We have appointed a consultant who specialises in inclusive design and the design team has made sure that accessibility requirements have been considered throughout the whole process. Further work is planned with groups who have particular needs to make sure that all visitors can access and use the new town centre with ease.
