A SPECIALIST in regeneration projects has been recommended to secure development opportunities for Prescot Shopping Centre.

In December 2022, Knowsley Council acquired the centre to further its plans to regenerate and transform Prescot town centre.

Prescot Shopping Centre occupies a prime position in Prescot town centre and the council says it is a key element of plans to continue the regeneration and revitalisation of the town in the years to come.

Knowsley Council issued an update to residents on the project last month.

The council purchased the shopping centre from a private company and asked residents in 2023 in the town to share their views on the future of the centre – which unlike other parts of Prescot had not seen any significant investment or increases in visitors and footfall.

The council says it has been working to establish a clear longer-term vision for Prescot Shopping Centre which focuses on reconfiguration to create investment and development opportunities, whilst working around the existing tenants in the shopping centre and supporting the wider transformational regeneration ambitions for the town.

The council has previously said it was in discussions with private developers and investors about future options for development.

Chester-based Cityheart have been recommended to the council's cabinet as the preferred partner for the project.

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Greg Ball, development director from Cityheart, said: “We’re proud to be recommended to cabinet as the preferred partner for Knowsley Council to enter into an exclusivity period to secure investment and development opportunities at the Prescot Shopping Centre site.”

The council is planning to carry out demolition work, subject to planning approval, in a concentrated area of the shopping centre.

This plan includes the demolition of the former Stephenson’s Print building, which has been vacant for some time and the area of the shopping centre containing the former supermarket unit, which has been vacant since 2008.

Knowsley Council says it has been in contact with those tenants who will be affected by the proposed demolition work and will continue to be in discussions with those affected tenants and will assist them to find alternative accommodation should they so require.

Knowsley Council’s Cabinet will consider a report on the future of the shopping centre at a meeting in October.