While the works to the Strand have been taking place, we’ve been speaking to people about the project 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, 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 new Mons 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 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.
Town centres have changed a lot in the last few years, with the growth of online shopping and people looking for a different experience when they visit.
Bootle Strand continues to be well used, with a range of shops and services in the centre. However, the Council want to include a wider range of uses in the town centre, including food and drink, leisure, and health. This will encourage more people to visit the Strand, increasing footfall, dwell time and spend in the centre.
This redevelopment work will transform the look and feel of the town for residents, businesses and visitors, improve the quality of life for local people and boost the local economy. It will also encourage more people to want to live and work in the area.
The first part of the project, the partial demolition work, is now complete. Work has now started on the redevelopment phase. On the former M&S building the existing fronts are being removed in preparation for the new shop fronts and cladding systems to be installed. Groundworks for the new retaining wall are also underway, re-using materials from the demolition process, which is more sustainable than removing it from site. This retaining wall is needed to allow the build-up of the ground, as there is an approximate 4.5m level difference between the former Palatine side and Stanley Road side of the site. 31 concrete piles have also been installed as part of this retaining wall work, with each pile extending over 8m into the ground. A waterproof layer has also been laid across the exposed concrete slab in the new Mons Square area and new drainage outlets have been installed.
Works on the redevelopment phase are due for completion in Autumn 2027.
The partial demolition and redevelopment work is being funded by a grant from Central Government, through funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and through Sefton Council.
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. It officially launched in 2022 to run test events but 2024 which was the first year of running a full events programme, with Tom Jones playing two nights in August as part of the music weekender.
The popular Salt and Tar Music Weekender is set to return in August 2026, but it will go ‘on tour’ and be in a new temporary home at Lock & Quay, Bootle’s much-loved, community-owned pub and canalside venue. This short-term relocation is due to the current work to regenerate the Bootle Strand area, which includes an expansion of the permanent Salt and Tar venue.
Future plans for the permanent 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
The Strand will remain open while works are carried out and entrances, exits and ways through will be well signed. All the works will 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 continue 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, with a quarterly newsletter delivered to residents and businesses in the immediate area. 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 – look out for information in the shop window for sessions.
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 Building Limited as the contractor for the works on the Strand 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 work please contact David Wilshire (VINCI Building) on 0300 600 3800.
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.
There will be changes to the service road, which will be accessed and exited on Vermont Way. There will also be a change to where the Shopping Centre multi-storey car park exits.
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. Work is due to start soon on new permanent toilets, including male and female facilities, an accessible toilet, baby changing facilities, and a Changing Places toilet
Announced in early 2026 the Town of Culture is a competition targeted towns of all sizes across the country. The overall winning town will be awarded £3 million to deliver a six-month cultural programme in 2028.
Sefton Council have submitted a bid for Bootle to become the UK’s first Town of Culture. The programme would aim to attract visitors, create opportunities for local talent, leave a lasting legacy beyond 2028 and complement the ongoing transformation of Bootle Strand and the town centre.
Sefton’s bid puts local people, creativity and community pride at the heart of the town’s future. If successful, it will fund a programme featuring arts, music, performance, heritage and wellbeing activities designed and delivered with local residents, artists, businesses, schools and community organisations.
Sefton Council are currently working with partners and engaging with potential occupiers/tenants to identify options for this space as an integrated health and social care hub.
Any potential health offer in Bootle Town Centre would complement, not duplicate, existing offers within the community.
The former M&S unit will also include smaller lettable retail units which will front on to the new Mons Square. ,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.
An occupier strategy for the lower ground floor is being developed.
The design team for the town centre redevelopment includes a consultant that specialises in inclusive design, and 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.
You can get to Everton Stadium easily from Bootle Strand using several transport options:
- By Shuttle Bus: Direct shuttle buses run from Bootle Strand Bus Station (Stand 4) to the stadium drop-off point at Derby Road. It costs £2 each way and accepts standard ticket types including day savers.
- By Train: Take a Merseyrail service from Bootle New Strand Station to Sandhills Station – the journey takes about 6 minutes, followed by a 15-minute walk to the stadium.
- By Car: Park at the Strand Shopping Centre Multi-Storey Car Park (L20 4XZ), which stays open late on matchdays and is staffed for supporter convenience.
These options make Bootle a smart and stress-free starting point for matchday travel.
You can find more information on travel to the new Everton stadium here.
