Sefton Council buys Bootle Strand shopping centre

Sefton Council has purchased the Strand in a deal which sees the shopping centre return to local ownership for the first time in many years.

Not only will the purchase contribute significantly to the delivery of the Council’s ambitious regeneration plans for Bootle Town Centre, it also provides much needed new revenue streams for us to support local services.

With services under pressure due to cuts to council budgets at a national level, Sefton Council has been looking for new ways to generate income to limit the impact of cuts. The purchase of the Strand is a step to ensure we can continue to deliver the services our residents need in the future.

The purchase has been fully funded through a loan and comes at no expense to the taxpayers and residents of Sefton. The income generated by the centre will more than cover the loan repayment costs and the centre’s running costs. Meaning enough money left over to contribute to much needed local services and new regeneration projects.

A move to secure jobs and regenerate the area

The Strand is a major provider of jobs in the area and an important place for local residents to meet and shop. Taking control of the centre allows us to secure its future, protect jobs and use the centre to spearhead the redevelopment of the surrounding area.

We look forward to working with local communities to make sure that the Strand continues to perform a valuable role within the town centre and for the people of Bootle.

An ambitious new direction for the Council

The purchase of the Strand marks a new era for the Council, one in which we will take greater control over the ways we generate the income we need to support local jobs and services for the people of Sefton.

Other councils in the North West have taken ownership of key assets in their boroughs to great success. We are adopting this tried and tested model to help unlock future development opportunities and assist us in attracting additional private sector investment.

This purchase is a concrete example of how the Council is finding new ways to deliver economic growth and regeneration, generate new income streams and continue to support local communities.

Exciting times ahead for Sefton

The purchase of the Strand will provide the town with the boost it needs to progress regeneration plans for Bootle and make a significant contribution to the outcomes of the Sefton 2030 Vision.

We will be spending the next few months putting together plans for the future development of the centre, and how it can better serve the people of Bootle and visitors from the surrounding areas.