Tesco reveals £10m vision for Kirkby town centre in Everton stadium scheme

Mar 20 2008 by Nick Coligan

TESCO today revealed a £10m plan to transform Kirkby town centre.

The supermarket giant, a key part of Everton FC’s proposed move to the town, already wants to build a huge store and other high street shops south of Cherryfield Drive.

Now the firm has hit back at claims from the scheme’s opponents that present traders would suffer if the £400m development takes place.

In detailed plans unveiled today, Tesco said it wanted to make significant changes to land to the east, west and north of the town centre as well.

They include:

* Demolishing Knowsley council’s offices at the Hall Lane/Valley Road roundabout and replacing them with a hotel.

* Creating bar and restaurant units near the existing bus and taxi ranks in Cherryfield Drive.

* Building a leisure development – possibly a bingo hall or bowling alley – north of the current shops, near McDonald’s.

* Bulldozing the derelict swimming baths, in an early part of the project.

* Resurfacing Cherryfield Drive and landscaping in the town centre.

Although Tesco has not revealed exact details of the hotel and leisure development, it is understood it is holding talks with potential operators about coming to Kirkby.

Its proposals will be submitted to the council shortly.

Ian Morris, from Kirkby residents action group, said: "It seems a coincidence that within 24 hours of us meeting Tesco and voicing concerns, they came out with proposals for the town centre.

"Our concern has always been that the timetable was weighted towards the new development, not the existing town centre.

"It is a positive step forward that Everton and Tesco are sitting down and talking to critics like myself.

"But ideas like a hotel and leisure facility do not address our other concerns, like loss of green space, traffic problems and the dispersal of fans after games."

he future of the town centre will be secured for years to come. I also hope this development puts Kirkby on the map and leads to more businesses coming to the town."

Michael Kissman, Tesco’s corporate affairs manager, said: "The Destination Kirkby project is about the total regeneration of Kirkby, not just adding new shops and a football ground. This announcement shows how the whole town will benefit.

"We want Kirkby to prosper and this is us putting our money where our mouth is."

Tesco has also made some changes to the main part of the scheme, including reorganising a proposed housing estate for the All Saints school site.

It also wants to build a restaurant near the new leisure centre and plant extra trees around its own store.

Businessman and Kirkby resident Stephen Merrie, who runs hydraulic manufacturer Primary Fluid Power, said: "The investment from Tesco and Everton should be welcomed."