MORE details were yesterday released of the £400m plan that will see Everton move from Goodison Park to Kirkby town centre.

The project, Destination Kirkby, outlines the way the development will transform Kirkby town centre. It is being led jointly by Tesco and Everton Football Club, working with Knowsley council.

The aim is to provide thousands of residents of Kirkby with an updated view of the proposals for the regeneration of Kirkby town centre.

The community engagement exhibition follows last week's decision by Knowsley Council's cabinet that finally paves the way for an extensive regeneration.

The exhibition, being held at the new Kirkby Leisure Centre adjacent to the proposed site, is the latest stage in consulting the community about the development possibilities before a formal planning application is submitted. Tesco’s corporate affairs manager, Tony Fletcher, said: “In June, the development potential of the site was outlined in a public exhibition and this consultation takes things a stage further.

“We have listened to a range of opinions during this time and have been in dialogue with a number of different parties as the consultation process continues.

“Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see how our ideas have evolved and how we have responded to the comments made.

“We are trying to establish an expanded town centre with a high-street feel, and we are in ongoing negotiations with a number of fashion retailers that are attracted to Kirkby by the opportunities that a development of this size brings.”

The chief executive of Everton Football Club, Keith Wyness, said: “As we have done all along, we at Everton Football Club fully support what we regard as a key and hugely-significant initiative both for ourselves and for the people of Kirkby.

“Having gained a mandate from our own supporters to relocate to the area, we are now anxious to not only ascertain the views and the opinions of local residents and traders, but also to begin what will be an intense programme designed to build a lasting and productive relationship with the people of Kirkby.”

The project is billed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a new town centre in Kirkby. The plan includes a 50,000-seat stadium for Everton, a 24-hour Tesco Extra store and fashion retail opportunities.

Destination Kirkby would also bring a raft of improvements to the transport infrastructure.

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