A FORMER printworks described as a “blight” on Prescot town centre could soon be demolished to make way for more parking spaces.

A planning application has been submitted for the demolition of Stephenson’s Printworks at Market Place in Prescot.

The site has lain empty for nearly 20 years and Knowsley Council has submitted the application to clear the site and pave way for “further development” of Prescot Shopping Centre.

The site was recently acquired by the council when it purchased the shopping centre, and could provide additional future parking spaces, according to planning documents.

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A report submitted as part of the application describes the former printworks as a “major blight” on the town centre and a “health and safety concern.”

The report stated: “The building has been vacant for nearly 20 years, the building is in severe disrepair and is often vandalised and has become an area of anti-social behaviour.”

Works would be carried out in a “coordinated manor as to cause little disruption to the shopping centre, residents and public” with hoardings to be erected around the site prior to construction and until further development takes place after the building has been taken down.

The application was submitted to Knowsley Council last week and is currently open for comments before planners decide the next steps.