Smiles all round as work finally starts on New Brighton’s regeneration

Jul 28 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

WORK has begun on the biggest single regeneration project in Wirral after six years of plans, revisions, a public inquiry and divisions in the seaside town of New Brighton.

Wallasey MP Angela Eagle, along with senior figures from the North West Development Agency, Wirral council and the developer, Neptune, attended the formal “sod cutting” at the Floral Pavilion theatre on the seafront yesterday.

It was smiles all round as people posed for pictures, chatted and joked with those who, little more than a year before, had been arguing for and against a redevelopment scheme for the resort.

Despite the original plan being refused by a public inquiry inspector last year, Neptune re-thought the project and split it into two.

Work is now to start on the £18m first phase, which includes an apartment block and cafes, and a massive redevelopment of the Floral Pavilion theatre, which is expected to re-open in December 2008.

Cllr Pat Hackett, Wirral council’s cabinet member for regeneration and a long-time supporter of redeveloping the resort, said: “At long last, the talking has stopped and action to regenerate New Brighton has begun.”

Leslie Parker Davies, who led the campaign opposing Neptune’s previous plans, said he was pleased with the new scheme and said it will be “a tremendous asset for New Brighton and will attract more people in”.

Floral Pavilion manager Paul Holliday said: “It’s been a long time coming but it’s such an exciting scheme to be involved in.

“The Floral Pavilion was coming to the natural end of its life. The physical problems were getting enormous.”

Angela Eagle said it was “fantastic to see the first phase begin”.