Sefton Council leader Ian Maher has responded to criticisms from Conservative councillors over the value of the Bootle Strand shopping centre.
Sefton’s Audit and Governance Committee heard this week that the value of the Strand had dropped to £14.2m, having been purchased four years ago for £32.5m.
This revelation prompted Sir Ron Watson CBE and Sinclair D’Albuquerque to launch a scathing attack on Sefton Council.
But Sefton Council leader and head of Sefton Labour Group Ian Maher says the valuation is “irrelevant” as the Council has no plans to sell the facility.
Cllr Ian Maher said: “As we have always stated the acquisition of the Strand Shopping Centre has and will remain a key regeneration project for Bootle and Sefton.
“Achieving this means having the vision, ambition and confidence to take the long-term view and being open and honest about how we intend to achieve it.
“Any current value is irrelevant as we have no plans whatsoever to sell the Strand, and never have.”
While criticism of the purchase of the Strand has been a favoured topic for local Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors, particularly in the lead up to the last set of local elections, the Strand did post an operating surplus in the 2019/20 financial year.
However, business plans approved for the Strand in June suggest the Council expects the facility to lose a total of £3.6m in the next three years.
As a facility, the Strand was significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Council also say they plan to “link The Strand with other parts of the borough and beyond, including the proposed new Everton football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.”