£6.6m could be moved around to help revive two Merseyside areas
Wirral Council’s offices at Alice Ker Square in Birkenhead(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Nearly £6.6m of public money could be used to help move forward a number of projects in Birkenhead and Seacombe. This is following a review of government funding and borrowing set aside to revive a number of areas across Wirral.
The review of UK government regeneration grants given to Wirral Council comes after all the authority’s funds were pooled into one pot called the Local Regeneration Fund. This money needs to be spent by March 2028 “providing greater flexibility and supporting local leaders to drive growth”.
At an economy and regeneration committee meeting on December 16, councillors are being asked to reduce funding for Liscard by just over £1.2m, increasing funding for a new health hub as well as music venue Future Yard, and keep £2.3m of funding and borrowing as a back up.
A total of £150,000 could also be spent on improving the area around the Eureka! Science and Discovery while £3.1m could be diverted towards a new project in Woodside. However the council said further due diligence is needed and funds will be reviewed again in March 2026.
The money comes from unallocated funding following a number of decisions made by the council. This includes £1.5m after the council pulled the plug on plans for the Wirral Transport Museum as well as £2.1m improving Victoria Place in Seacombe that is now undeliverable.
On top of this, there is also £1.2m of council borrowing that was allocated towards reviving Liscard town centre. This was because the government grant was less than requested by the local authority.
This means a total of nearly £6.6m could be available for other projects. £4.4m of this comes from the unallocated funding as well as nearly £1m meant for the Price Street car park site.
There were plans to remodel the junction at the north of Liscard Way but the council in a report projected costs were higher than originally expected. Officers are asking for this to be scrapped and the funding spent elsewhere.
The report before the committee said councillors must immediately approve the nearly £1m for Future Yard as well as Joy, a mental health hub planned operated by the Open Door Charity close to Hamilton Square. This is due to increase costs to deliver each project.
Councillors are also being asked to consider other options including investment in Make CIC’s Argyle Street building to increase occupancy. Rental space would increase by a third if £337,378 is approved.
A new project has also been put forward for Woodside similar to plans previously put forward at the ferry terminal. No mention is made in the report about who is delivering the project but the ferry village plans were previously being worked on by Woodside Area CIC, a company linked to the Wirral Chamber of Commerce.
The council report said the new plan was for “a business centre and food and beverage offer” at the terminal, adding this would transform the building “into a multifunctional hub for visitors, businesses, and the local community”.
Officers added: “Alongside creating spaces for the local community and events, the first floor of the building will host an Entrepreneurship Centre, offering 12 small business units, co-working spaces, and networking facilities to support young and growing enterprises.
“The scheme requires £3.165 million, fully funded through this request. Costs cover demolition, structural alterations, mechanical and electrical works, fit-out, professional fees, and contingencies.
“Wider benefits encompass cultural enrichment, skills development, local resilience, and environmental sustainability. Additional evidence is required before this can be proposed to Committee.”