KNOWSLEY Council has announced it has made an agreement with a regeneration specialist over Prescot Shopping Centre.
The local authority will enter into an Exclusivity Agreement with Cityheart, as a preferred developer for the centre.
Over the next 12 months, Cityheart will work with the council to develop proposals for the shopping centre site, which will support the continued regeneration and transformation of Prescot town centre and delivery of the council’s Prescot Town Centre Masterplan.
Alongside this, the council will progress with plans to demolish the former Stephenson’s Print building and the area of the shopping centre containing the former supermarket unit. This work will prepare the site for development and help to attract further investment into the town centre.
Both the Exclusivity Agreement and demolition proposals were agreed by Knowsley Council Cabinet on Wednesday, October 2.
Prescot Shopping Centre occupies a prime position in Prescot town centre and is a key element of the council’s plans to continue the regeneration and revitalisation of the town.
Following its purchase of the shopping centre in 2022, Knowsley Council asked residents to share their views on the future of the centre.
The council said feedback "showed a strong theme of positivity in general around Prescot town centre", and many recognised the change in shopping habits, as more people choose to buy online, and commented that a "complete rethink" was needed when it came to the future of the centre.
Knowsley Council says its agreement with Cityheart will build on the wider acclaimed investment and regeneration that has so far been delivered, including the construction of the multi-award-winning Shakespeare North Playhouse.
'A significant step forward'
Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: “This is another significant and positive step forward for the continued transformation of Prescot town centre which is a strategic priority for the Council. Our primary purpose for acquiring the shopping centre was to keep up the positive momentum we have already achieved and to continue to drive this regeneration.
“The shopping centre is in the heart of Prescot town centre, and we have ambitions for it to become a vibrant and valuable space which will support the needs and aspirations of the local businesses within the town centre, for our residents and for the increasing numbers of visitors to the town.
“We look forward to working with Cityheart to develop and share our ambitions for this exciting opportunity.”
Commenting on the agreement with Knowsley Council Greg Ball, Development Director from Cityheart added: “Prescot is a town with a unique and rich heritage and its shopping centre site offers a wonderful opportunity to drive further investment and continue the revitalisation of the town centre.
"We’re delighted to have been selected to work with Knowsley Council on transforming this important space for the local community, businesses and visitors.”
What are the next steps?
In the coming months Cityheart and the Council will carry out further consultation with tenants of the shopping centre, local businesses, residents and visitors to Prescot to help shape the detail of proposals.
Knowsley Council is expecting the agreed demolition work to start in November.
Once available, full details of the consultation and demolition works will be publicised.
Cityheart specialises in working with the public sector to deliver and manage regeneration projects across the United Kingdom.
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