A number of different options are being explored
TJ Hughes closed in Birkenhead in 2021(Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
A former TJ Hughes unit in a Merseyside town centre could be given a new lease of life as Wirral Council explores options for the future of Birkenhead Market. The local authority’s leader said the option was being explored after traders suggested the idea.
At an economy and regeneration committee meeting next week on November 18, Wirral councillors are being asked to move plans forward after the controversial proposal to move the market into a former Argos on Princes Pavements was scrapped.
At the moment, the local authority is looking at a phased plan to move traders out of the market, demolish the current building, and then create an outdoor event and market space.
This plan is dependent on a number of things including engagement with market traders and the public as well as the costs for refurbishment of units any traders move into, demolition, creating the new public space, and any contracts.
Interim chief executive Matthew Bennett would “undertake all activity necessary” to achieve the plan if councillors give the go ahead.
Further work will also be carried out on how to create a new outdoor market square where the current market is located. The council will also look at other options for the land going forward.
A Wirral Council report said the move would help cover vacant costs in the Pyramids shopping centre and the Grange precinct as well as improve the vibrancy of the town centre. It could also save the council money as the market currently operates at a loss of £750,000 a year.
It looks like the current Birkenhead Market could be demolished(Image: Copyright Unknown)
While councillors did consider refurbishing the current market, this could cost as much as £22m, around £10m more than that currently set aside for the market project. £12m needs to be spent by March 2028.
The relationship between the council and market traders has soured in recent years, particularly after the Argos proposals were put forward.
Despite their opposition, the local authority continued to move ahead with the plans which ended up costing £1.3m.
However things could be improving. Traders have previously praised the council’s new direction and the November 18 report said “close and meaningful engagement with traders is key”.
In a recent interview with the ECHO, Wirral Council leader Cllr Paula Basnett said she was working with traders meeting them on a regular basis to get their views, adding it had been a process of rebuilding trust and finding out what the businesses in the market wanted to continue trading.
She said market traders were keen to explore a relocation to a vacant former TJ Hughes unit and the council was looking at this, adding: “If that is a way forward for everybody for traders and councillors, then we will look to demolish the existing market.”
The leader said TJ Hughes was large and located opposite the current entrance to the market, adding: “I am listening to what the market traders want rather than imposing my ideas on them.”