The group have chartered a 52-seat coach that will leave for Manchester next Saturday at noon. If there is more demand they will book a second coach, and they are planning to repeat the trip.

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “We do not know what this group hope to achieve by encouraging people to spend outside Merseyside.

“The objection to Destination Kirkby is based on the scale of the retail proposals which would have an adverse impact on many shopping centres in the region and is opposed by all Knowsley’s neighbouring authorities, not just Liverpool.”

Krisp is mostly made up of members from other pro-Destination Kirkby action groups.

“We have come together and we can make much more of an impact. We’re here to rebut Krag’s (the Kirkby Residents Action Group) ridiculous claims,” Mr Dodd added.

Knowsley councillor Mal Sharp welcomed the formation of Krisp as a balance to Krag ahead of the planning inquiry, which will start in November.

He said: “Krag have been vocal in their opposition to the project, but pretty well everyone in Kirkby, including the elected members, know that they are in a small minority.

“It angered a lot of people in Kirkby and people decided they wanted to stand up and say something because the concern is that while the people in Kirkby know that Krag are a minority group, inspectors from outside might not know.”

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