Visitors will see cranes, roadworks and large fences covering busy construction sites, but these are tangible signs of change, examples of all the hard work going into creating an exciting future
‘Destination Bootle’ mural near Salt & Tar music venue(Image: LDRS)
“What I’d say to the doubters is come here and have a look, speak to the people and visit a few places, it might just surprise you.” These are the words of Claire Morgans who said Bootle deserves more recognition and is fully supportive of its bid to be the UK’s first ever ‘Town of Culture’.
Earlier this month, the government launched the “Town of Culture” application process, including a judges panel led by Brookside and Hollyoaks creator, Sir Phil Redmond, and a potential award of £3m to deliver a cultural programme. It comes after last year’s announcement of the Pride in Place programme, a multi-billion pound regeneration scheme which will deliver vital funding to communities across the UK, including Bootle and ten other areas in Merseyside.
Sefton Council leader, Cllr Marion Atkinson confirmed Bootle will be put forward for the ‘Town of Culture’ competition, saying at the time, “[Bootle has] got everything, it’s got great music like [Red Rum Club], so we’ll be having a good go.”
The local authority said the bid puts local people, creativity and community pride at the heart of the town’s future. If successful, it will fund a programme featuring arts, music, performance, heritage and wellbeing activities designed and delivered with local residents, artists, businesses, schools and community organisations.
Development site of The Strand shopping centre in Bootle(Image: LDRS)
In the words of the council’s regeneration teams, the programme would aim to attract visitors, create opportunities for local talent, leave a lasting legacy beyond 2028 and complement the ongoing transformation of Bootle Strand and the town centre.
To find out more details about the ‘Town of Culture’ bid, the Liverpool ECHO went down to Bootle to ask people what they thought of the competition and why Bootle should win it.
We meet Walter Moore, 83, on Stanley Road as he returns home from picking up a holiday brochure. Walter has lived in Bootle all his life, and wasn’t aware of Bootle entering the UK’s ‘Town of Culture’ competition, but thinks it would make a worthy winner.
Walter said he has seen the town undergo several changes over the last few decades, but is most fond of the ‘swinging 60s’ period: “That was my hey day so to speak.
“All around here you had pubs and clubs, cafes and shops where you could get a tailored suit, and we had The Strand which was a bit of a showpiece. We were the capital of the world with all The Beatles stuff and there was lots going on.
“There’s been tough times as well and Bootle did decline, and things got a bit run down, but it seems to be picking up again over the last few years. The Strand is getting done up and I’ve seen the plans for the public garden which looks great on paper, so I hope there’s a plan to maintain it.
Walter Moore, 82, has lived in Bootle all his life(Image: LDRS)
“The thing about Bootle is that people look after each other. Wherever you go around here you’ll find a friendly face, and now there’ll be more things to do for younger people as well, so I hope they win it [UK Town of Culture].”
This sense of optimism and support for Bootle’s bid was shared by Helena McCowan, 50, who said: “It feels like Bootle is having a comeback and you can see more and more improvements to the area.
“I live overlooking The Strand so I get a great view of all the things that are changing and getting updated. We’ve got Salt & Tar there now and that’s good for music, the shopping centre plans look good, but the special thing around here is the people.
“There’s a nice atmosphere around the place, and maybe this Town of Culture prize would be another boost to the area, so why not? You’ve got to be in it to win it.”
One of the cornerstones of Bootle’s bid will centre around its emerging live music and pubs scene, led by the Salt and Tar events venue and the annual Music Weekender festival, which has already hosted the likes of Tom Jones and Billy Ocean. Salt and Tar has quickly established itself as a vital social and creative hub, bringing new footfall, supporting local businesses and generating real momentum in the town.
Its community-led events and partnerships have strengthened local connections, according to Sefton Council, and shown how culture can drive regeneration and boost pride of place as the wider Strand transformation progresses.
Helena McCowan 50, said Bootle is having a comeback(Image: LDRS)
There is also a sense it is helping to boost the town’s wider visitor economy, something which has been noticed and appreciated by Dave McNally, 67, who has managed and worked at The Jawbone Tavern pub for the last 50 years.
Dave said: “When the Salt and Tar festival was on, we had four solid days where every pub in Bootle was absolutely rammed. There were that many people, that one pub couldn’t take them all. We stayed open late, so we were getting them coming back after the festival which was great.
“It’ll start again this year and they’ll have Chic and and The Waterboys, it’ll be at the Lock & Quay pub also which is fantastic. It’ll bring the same amount of people, but it brings other people in from outside, some who have never visited Bootle before, and they tell us how impressed they are.
“I know there’s a bit of a mess at the minute, but you can see what’s coming. It’s like we’re all growing together and supporting each other, and Bootle is definitely starting to come back to life again.
“Back in the day, Bootle had loads of places to go, but a lot of them closed down so the area did suffer. But now we’re seeing people out again, and staying here rather than going into town, because we’re offering a great night out here.”
Sefton Council’s plans to increase footfall and widen the town’s cultural offer include forging greater links with the city’s football teams, as it aims to become ‘home to match-goes’ across the region.
Pub landlord David McNally(Image: Liverpool Echo)
In a council report about the future economic viability of the redeveloped Strand shopping centre, and associated regeneration projects, the council’s executive director for place, Stephen Watson, confirmed discussions are ongoing with both Everton Football Club and Liverpool Football Club, exploring ways for Bootle to support and benefit from matchday and other event activities.
Mr Watson said: “The aim is to ensure [Bootle] is not just a transport hub and an attractive route in and out of the stadium, but it’s ensuring it drives footfall that encourages dwell time. Interestingly, we see that with away fans as well as home fans. So it’s early, but it feels like a really good start.”
He added: “As we think about the long term and Salt and Tar, particularly year round, beyond just events – Everton is going to be a key relationship for us.”
Central to what’s going on in Bootle is the wider regeneration planned for the town, with The Strand and Salt and Tar being the most visible examples of this. However, there are also really fantastic community projects in Bootle, which are now attracting global renown and recognition.
Claire Morgans is the founder and CEO at YKIDS LIMITED, and the driving force behind Kingsley & Co, a much-loved children’s bookshop and literary project on Bootle’s Stanley Street.
Claire Morgans oversees Kingsley & Co bookshop on Stanley Road(Image: LDRS)
In one form or another, the project has been running in Bootle for more than twenty years, and now includes a community cafe, themed learning and events spaces, education workshops and is home to a literary festival which attracted thousands of local children.
Claire said: “I’m always amazed at the resilience and creativity of the people of Bootle, and their passion for making a difference and looking after each other. You do see some bad takes on Bootle, especially from people who’ve never been here, but there’s lots of really positive, wonderful things happening.”
In reference to the ‘Town of Culture’, Claire adds: “Why can’t people in Bootle be boosted up and appreciated, and have quality and fun and engagement? Why does it always have to go to the usual places? Why not here? Why should we be left behind?
“Bootle is exactly the place that should be bidding because of all the amazing things that are happening. We have an international festival every year run by the community, we have a music festival, we have multiple dance groups, drama groups, theatre groups, community theatre groups, there’s so much to offer.
“The infrastructure might not look pretty at the moment, but that’s changing. What I’d say to the doubters is come here and have a look, speak to the people and visit a few places, it might just surprise you.”
Leeds and Liverpool Canal seen from Stanley Road in Bootle(Image: LDRS)
For anyone visiting Bootle at the moment, you will see cranes, roadworks and large fences covering busy construction sites, not necessarily an environment normally associated with an attractive visitor offer, but these are tangible signs of change, examples of all the hard work going into creating a sustainable and exciting future for Bootle.
This is certainly how Sefton Council sees it as they look to progress several projects during the course of 2026. Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: “Bootle is bursting with creativity, community spirit and a determination to shape its own future.
“Our UK Town of Culture 2028 bid is focused on local people, celebrating what makes Bootle unique, opening up opportunities for our young people, creative talent and using culture to support regeneration and wellbeing.
“If we’re successful, the six-month programme we have planned for summer 2028 will bring new experiences to our streets and spaces and leave a real legacy of pride, skills and investment for years to come.
“And becoming the first UK Town of Culture will be a great boost for the ongoing regeneration based around Bootle Strand.”