Reader TTS

WHILE SEFTON COUNCIL PUSHES ON WITH PLANS FOR A £20 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SHOPPING CENTRE, SOME HAVE ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF THE STRAND 13:39, 02 Mar 2025 Bootle New Strand

Shopping Centre is undergoing a £20 million redevelopment with plans including a new town square, green spaces and community areas. However, some of those who frequent the site say that the

Strand, in its current form, has 'fallen into disrepair' and become a playground for anti-social behaviour. On January 15 this year, Sefton Council's planning committee

approved the initial four phases in regeneration proposals for the shopping centre, which will be supported by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and £20 million of government

funding. The plans included recommendations for extensive landscaping work, the creation of a 'public square' and the change of use of the former M&S building on Stanley Road,

which closed down in 2016. The first stage of redevelopment is due to be completed in March 2026. Walking around Bootle town centre this week, it is clear how much this project is needed;

the area is in desperate need of revival with boarded up shops, grey and dated architecture, and a lack of amenities and leisure options. But, with so much focus on the future, is the Strand

of Bootle present getting enough TLC? One Bootle resident, who goes under the pseudonym Wolfie Smith, said that while visiting the Strand ‘for the first time in a while’, he was ‘horrified’

by ‘how poorly the main arcades are being managed these days’. He said: “[There’s] groups of kids literally running round feral. Security sitting on their phones doing absolutely nothing.

Bikes riding at high speed, kids running in and out of shops screaming, scaring the c*** out of the poor staff. “Floor tiles are smashed everywhere. One or two here and there you can

understand, but whole areas are now unsafe, yet no provisions are in place. Anyone who fancies a juicy insurance claim can pick their spot. Article continues below “I remember the odd couple

of pigeons getting through the doors, but now there are dozens. They are allowed to breed in the rafters and s*** on people eating at the food joints. “Just because money has been ploughed

into the redevelopment at the other end of the complex, does not give Sefton Council a reason to just ignore the rest of the site. It’s gone downhill so fast." Speaking to the ECHO, he

added: "I’m not knocking the redevelopment itself. I’m all for that. But don’t let the rest of the centre fall into disrepair and decay in the meantime. “I have lived in the Bootle area

over 50 years, and I’ve seen the Strand go from bright new venture, through neglect and poor management to how it is now. We all want the best for the town, but some common sense forward

planning would also be nice." While taking a stroll around Bootle New Strand at 4pm on a weekday, the ECHO saw no antisocial behaviour, but a voice could be heard on the overhead

speaker, which said: "This is an announcement for the lads by the toilets, there's nothing there for you. Take your bikes and leave", drawing a few laughs from shoppers. One

woman who frequents the Strand, said of the shopping centre: "It is way more desolate than it used to be in terms of footfall and units and it seems to be in decline. I find it very

depressing to visit and I will be glad to see it redeveloped. "I only hope it will be able to attract better retailers. In fairness there are other shopping places in Sefton, like

Crosby village, which are equally dreary and rundown." Others were quick to defend the Strand. One woman said: "I'm here regularly and I don't have any problems."

Another said: "It could be much, much worse. There are far worse shopping centres than Bootle Strand." Article continues below Councillor Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: “We appreciate the feedback shared by the resident regarding their recent visit to The Strand, and we take all comments seriously

as we continuously aim to improve the shopping environment for all users. “The Strand remains a vibrant community hub, with a steady flow of customers, many visitors use the centre for more

than just shopping, but also for its social and service-based offerings. We are committed to making The Strand an even better place to visit, with £20 million being invested into transform

Bootle town centre – this is something we and the local community are very excited about and we’d urge everyone to continue supporting the shopping centre while that work takes place.”