Town Centre – Place North West

One of the better sources of news and information over recent years has been Place North West which says it was “Established in 2007, Place North West is a business-to-business website for property and regeneration professionals in the North West.”

DateTitleComment or interesting quotes
20/11/2020Merseyside Development Update – a mixed picture | SummaryCllr Dale Milburn states that “We’ve got three town centre projects, each a distinct type. Kirkby’s is retail-led, Huyton’s is a mix of civic, offices and residential, and Prescot’s is led by the Shakespeare North cultural project.” – this omits the councils plans to build a large number of houses next to Kirkby Town Centre.
09/11/2020Kirkby’s Reel Cinema approvedPlanning permission for the new cinema complex is granted – 3 years and 7 months after Reel signs as Kirkby cinema operator. Knowsley Council have owned this site all along and the delay is a bit of a mystery.
29/10/2020Kirkby cinema poised for go-aheadMostly just a comment on the upcoming planning committee set to approve the Reel Cinema plans
22/09/2020Reel aims for December opening in BlackburnJust a mention of Kirkby regarding Reel’s expanding range of cinemas in the North West.
28/08/2020Kirkby regen continues with leisure projectNotice that Knowsley Council has finally submitted plans for planning approval for the new Reel cinema complex – 3 years and 4 months after Reel signs as Kirkby cinema operator.
03/08/2020CRACKING ON | Rest of North WestOverhead view of the Morrisons site after being cleared. There is also news on the Liverpool Football Academy expansion.
23/07/2020St Modwen posts half-year lossNews of ex-developer St. Modwen reported losses – including a brief claim to have redeveloped ‘parcels of land’ in Kirkby – quite an optimistic point-of-view!
01/07/2020Aldi eyes 76 more regional stores by 2025News that Kirkby is on the target list for Aldi
27/05/2020St Modwen sells final Crosby asset for £1mNews of St. Modwen’s retreat from town centre development – including details of the Kirkby Town centre redevelopment it abandoned in November 2019.
04/05/2020Liverpool launches town centres commissionComing in the wake of our own proposals for Kirkby Town Centre, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (led by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram) has announced a town centres commission which should include Kirkby as one of 17 town centres being considered.
02/03/2020Knowsley launches consultation amid housing concernsKnowsley Council announces a 3-day consultation following the launch of Vision Kirkby’s proposals for Kirkby Town Centre. The council claim the consultation had been planned since November 2019, but the consultation was limited to a drop-in, appeared quickly put together, and did not seem well planned at all. The article reports that “a spokesperson for Knowsley Council said no sites had yet been earmarked” even though a range of promotional material associated with the St. Modwen development has this area labelled for housing and has done since at least as early as November 2015. Knowsley Council repeatedly championed their close links with St. Modwen throughout this period.
31/01/2020Ground breaks on retail development in Kirkby Construction work has started on a Morrisons, pertrol station, car park, Home and Bargains and a KFC. The work is being led by contractor GMI Construction, with the build being supervised by St. Modwen, whilst the council is being advised by NewRiver REIT. Yet another statement on the college moving into new premises in the town centre, as though Kirkby College was not literally over-the-road from the council’s own Kirkby Centre building. There’s an interesting claim quoted form Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan: “We knew that Kirkby would only get the retail development it had been promised for years by the private sector if we were to step in and take control…” – this time last year the council were quite insistent that St. Modwen were going ahead as planned a private developer.
06/12/2019Kirkby lines up £15m regeneration boost The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (headed up by LCR Mayor Steve Rotheram) has announced £10 million to inject into the Kirkby Town Centre regeneration project, with the prospect of £5m more. It is not clear what exactly this money is going to be spent on. The article states that St. Modwen will continue to oversee regeneration under a development agreement with the council.
02/12/2019Council appoints NewRiver to Kirkby project Despite ‘taking control’ of the town centre only days earlier, Knowsley Council has appointed NewRiver REIT to manager the town centre on its behalf, providing ‘strategic asset management and business planning advice , and ongoing asset management services, in exchange for an annual fee.” This fee was not disclosed in the article.
22/11/2019Knowsley and St Modwen complete £44m Kirkby dealReport that deal between Knowsley Council and St. Modwen has been completed. Work is apparently due to start on 9th December 2019. ” Knowsley said it would pay for the deal by borrowing the initial sum and paying the debt back from the rental income generated from new and existing businesses in the town centre and also by eventually selling some of the land acquired.” So you guessed it – more house building! There are further comments about returning a college presence to the town centre, however this aspect continues to be shrouded in vagueness.
08/11/2019Kirkby town centre redevelopment finally gets start date Start date of December 2019 given by Knowsley Council for the retail development, but no details about what will actually be started, or any estimated completion dates. Notably, there is also mention of the leisure development but that has been in Knowsley Council’s ownership all along and there is still no planning permission in place for it.
18/07/2019 Council set to complete Kirkby acquisition St. Modwen reportedly have accepted Knowsley Council’s offer in principal, but this does not amount to the conclusion of the agreement. Restatement that Morrisions, Home Bargains, KFC and Reel Cinemas are all lined up. There is no actual confirmation regarding the current status of these potential occupiers.
24/05/2019Knowsley in talks to buy Kirkby town centre Knowsley Council reveal they are in talks with St. Modwen to buy St. Modwen’s portion of the town centre. The article marks a significant shift in Knowsley Council’s tone: despite being hand-in-glove with the private sector since the start of talks with Tesco in 2005, they suddenly sound as though they bare no responsibility for the situation.
14/05/2019Worst performing UK high streets revealed in latest retail report Kirkby appears on “The Top Ten unfortunate addresses that no retailer would wish to appear on…”
05/02/2019Regional schemes boost St Modwen profits Kirkby gets mentioned as part of St. Modwen’s progress with regional schemes in the region.
24/10/2018 GMI lines up Kirkby Town Centre redevelopment St. Modwen is understood to have selected contractor GMI to deliver the Kirkby development. Various units remained available. Strangely, “St Modwen and GMI both declined to comment.” – perhaps and omen of what was to come?
04/07/2018Rotheram launches fund for town centres The Liverpool Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, launches a town centre fund, but Kirkby is not thought to have become a beneficiary, despite Steve living in Kirkby.
12/06/2018Poundworld collapse could open up prime retail units Poundworld closure includes store in Kirkby (which subsequently reopens as a OneBelow store)
11/06/2018 Home Bargains and KFC sign up in Kirkby Home Bargins and KFC sign-up for Kirkby Town Centre regeneration. Home Bargains plans to take one of the new big stores and move out of its current smaller store. KFC plans to take one of the fast food drive-thrus.
31/01/2018Month in property | January Reel Cinema mentioned for Kirkby as part of wider development update in the region.
25/01/2018Demolition kicks off at Kirkby cinema development Demolition of the old library, old social security building (Webster House) and 149 Cherryfield Drive (former Knowsley CVS building) begins. There was no plan in place for the site of 149 Cherryfield Drive. The planning application is now due to be submitted by summer 2018, which did not happen.
19/01/2018Reel earmarks 2019 for Blackburn cinema opening “The Blackburn site would be the latest in Reel’s rapid regional expansion; the operator has also signed for units at Rochdale Riverside, Kirkby town centre, and Chorley’s Market Walk.”
23/11/2016St Modwen bags cinema operator for Kirkby Reel Cinemas announced as operator for 15 000 sq ft 6-screen development. The plan seems to have local support.

Chris Morgan-Giles, property director of Reel Cinemas, said: “We’re continuing to expand our operations with plans to grow the brand significantly over the next five years. This is a great scheme to be involved with.”
08/11/2017Shakespeare North and St Modwen retail on Knowsley planning agenda The retail offer in on the planning committee agenda alongside Shakespeare North in Prescot. It is not clear what the source of this statement is, but: “Construction is due to start early next year and complete in 2019 “. Has planning permission was approved, construction did not start and it certainly was not a single new build would be completed in 2019.
30/10/2017St Modwen confirmed for Kirkby leisure Ownership of the former library and social security site intended for leisure use had stayed in Knowsley Council ownership. The development is set to include a 6-screen cinema, 3 restaurants and bars. This time we hear: ” A planning application is due to be submitted for the leisure scheme once occupiers for the leisure units have been identified, with construction work planned for 2018.” As neither planning permission nor the building happened, presumably occupiers were never found? the retail development planning application is due to be heard in November 2017.
18/09/2017St Modwen announces Morrisons as Kirkby anchor Morrisons announced as new superstore ‘anchor’. Morrisons were the planned anchor when St. Modwen previously owned the site in 2005.
14/09/2017Cabinet approves Knowsley capital spend Mention of approval for “£360,000 into a variety of public realm improvements in Kirkby town centre” but no specifics of what these were.
07/08/2017St Modwen starts preparatory work at Kirkby Demolition of former ASDA/InShops/Gala Bingo begins, cited as costing £1m. The deal with Reel cinema is cited as being 15 000 sq ft in size.
10/04/2017Reel signs as Kirkby cinema operator Reel signs as cinema operator. A planning application was due to be submitted later in 2017, but never was whilst St. Modwen led the development. Opening of the leisure scheme was planned for 2018, but this did not happen.
27/02/2017St Modwen submits Kirkby town centre plans St. Modwen submits their planning application submitted 2 years after Tesco pulled out of Kirkby. For the first time two drive-thru fast food restaurants are mentioned. Based on consultations, there is support for these plans from the local community. Talks are said to be advanced with a major food retailer. Move demolition is needed of the old ASDA/Inshops/Bingo Hall before construction could begin.
07/02/2017St Modwen posts £197m profit drop Potential sign of St. Modwen troubles: “profits dropped from £258m to £60.9m this year”
21/10/2016St Modwen sets out Kirkby plans in consultation Another consultation exercise – this time 2 days long – now showing plans for housing on green space for the first time. A new cinema and restaurants are mentioned again. More signs of improvement around the town centre management are mentioned. With no apparent sense of the time that has passed of the delays in delivering e..g public realm works, Cllr Mike Murphy states: “The huge number of developments in recent years have all had a positive impact on the town…”
08/06/2016St Modwen begins work in Kirkby Minor improvements start – eight-week refurbishment programme and some new lettings. There appears to be genuine signs of progress and improved management of the existing town centre by manager Mike Matthews.
29/03/2016St Modwen signs for reduced Kirkby masterplan St. Modwen release new reduced-size masterplan for Kirkby, which is remarkably similar to the plans Knowsley Council rejected in 2005. Leisure operators, including a new cinema, are mentioned for the first time. Despite repeated failures to deliver any new buildings, Cllr Mike Murphy states ” The council and our partners have delivered major multi-million pound improvements to the town centre and wider Kirkby area in recent years…”
11/11/2015St Modwen selects Colliers for Kirkby plan “Working alongside Knowsley Council, St Modwen plans to develop and expand the existing offer in the town centre, as well as securing the provision of a significant new housing scheme on a 65-acre site close to the town centre.”
14/10/2015St Modwen buys mothballed Tesco Kirkby site St. Modwen, who last owned Kirkby Town Centre in 2005, agrees to buy back part of the Town Centre for £35.8m as the new developer. “A statement from St Modwen said that the partnership would work on plans to develop and expand the retail centre and complement the existing offer, as well as the provision of a significant new housing scheme on a 65-acre site situated close to the town centre. “
22/07/2015Four investors in frame for Tesco Kirkby site Announcement of four potential investors 6 months after Tesco pulls out.
29/01/2015List of Tesco closures released List of Tesco store closures released, including abandonement of Kirkby development.
09/01/2015 Tesco pulls out of Kirkby Tesco abandons Kirkby after 9 years of failure to deliver so much as a single new building. This is part of a wider failure in Tesco’s developments, alongside 48 other schemes across the UK. The article states Tesco paid for £1m of enhancements to the market and council buildings, but it is not clear what this covers. Demolition of the housing on Cherryfield Drive will continue to
17/11/2014New Kirkby bus station approved A new Kirkby Bus station, which was originally touted in the late 1990s, gets planning approval, but progress on this will be delayed by the stalling of Tesco’s plans. Demolition of ’empty’ (read abandoned) properties is due to in the “… coming weeks to make way for the construction of the new Tesco store and other retail units in 2015.”
16/10/2014Neil Tague: Behind the numbers Interesting retrospective on Everton Stadium options and growing length of times between proposed developments.
18/09/2014Knowsley opens latest local plan consultation No specific mention of Kirkby Town Centre in the article, but it is conspicuous by its absence.
03/03/2014New look for Kirkby town centre Council announce plans to spend money on public realm works: “a civic square, St Chad’s Parade, Newtown Gardens and the market square.” This is mostly new paving, lighting and seating, which will involve months of disruption. The council cite a consultation which had no objections lodged, despite widespread scepticism about the winged-throne scupltures amongst the community.
07/2013No articleWe couldn’t find an article on Place NorthWest, but its worth noting that the Tesco plans were further downscaled in July 2013
25/04/2013Tesco Kirkby site clearance begins Building of replacement housing on St. Kevin’s Drive for Plus Dane Group and Cherryfield Co-operative residents who are being compulsorily moved from Cherryfield Crescent begins by contractor Keepmoat. There is no acknowledgement of the damage this will do to this community.
24/07/2012Kirkby market plans lodged Announcement of desire to make Kirkby Market a place for 6-day trading. However, the former indoor market, the InShops, used to provide this but would be demolished. A rare semi-deadline is issued: Kirkby Market renovation is expected to be completed by summer 2013.
07/03/2012Council puts £7.5m into Kirkby 3 months after the 13.5m investment announcement, details around £7.5m of that investment are revealed: £2.5m on revamping Kirkby Market (which will turn it from an outdoor market to an indoor market) and £5m on the closure of the Kirkby Suite to create a new ‘public services centre’. The existing library has been earmarked for demolition as part of the Tesco development, and around this time Knowsley Council stops maintainance work on Civic Buildings which currently house other public services. It’s not clear were the other £6m of previously announced investment will go or if this exists any longer.
15/12/2011Council puts cash into Kirkby Knowsley Council decides to spend £13m on Kirkby Market and what will become a repurposed Kirkby Suite. £200m is mentioned as the planned Tesco investment, with a further £7m from the NHS Knowsley for the new health centre. There is another consultation – lasting 1 month over the busy Christmas period – which also has no notable impact on plans.
25/05/2011Green light for Tesco’s Kirkby sequel Then Communities Secretary Eric Pickles gives the go-ahead for Tesco’s plans 2 months after the planning permission is approved by Knowsley Council. The forced relocation of residents of Cherryfield Drive by Plus Dane housing is mentioned. Importantly “No date has yet been set for work to commence on the Spenhill development.” this will become a sadly recurring theme.
18/03/2011Tesco’s Kirkby sequel gets green light It takes Knowsley Council almost 5 months to approve the new plans.
10/03/2011Knowsley sets date for Tesco Kirkby decision Just a repeat of existing facts and notes an impending planning committee meeting.
16/02/2011Knowsley outlines reduced budget “Projects that remain on track include: Town centre regeneration plans for Kirkby and Stockbridge village…”
20/10/2010Tesco consults on new Kirkby plansThis article adds new food and drinks outlets into the mix as part of the submitted planning application.
06/10/2010Tesco’s Kirkby proposals on view Tesco unveil plans for 146,600 sq ft Tesco Extra superstore (12% smaller than under the Destination Kirkby plan) and 300,400 sq ft in other retail units (40% smaller than under Destination Kirkby plans). New offices, public health buildings, library and petrol station are promised.
21/06/2010Council reveals views on future of Kirkby town centre Unsurprisingly, the consultation found that residents want a food superstore and an improved retail offer, amongst other things.
20/04/2010Knowsley/Tesco revise Kirkby plans Following community consultation, Nick Kavanagh, former executive director of regeneration, economy and skills at Knowsley Council states that: “…  I would like to assure the community that we have no plans to close or demolish either the council offices or Civic Suite.” The council offices were later demolished and the Civic Suite closed to make way fro the relocation of the library and other services.
18/03/2010Council asks for views on future of Kirkby town centre Following the rejection of the Destination Kirkby plan by a public enquiry under the then Labour Secretary of State, the consultation is launched, but this has little impact on Tesco’s plans.
29/08/2008DevSec thanks £65m Kirkby sale for reducing impact of slump “The successful disposal of Kirkby Shopping Centre for £65.0m in April has limited the impact of the downturn on our balance sheet as well as reducing the level of net gearing.” – which is weird because they can only have reacquired it c. 2005 after St. Modwen are forced out and Aubrey Weiss fails to progress etheir proposal.
07/08/2008Everton/Tesco’s Kirkby plans threatened by call-in Tesco’s plans for ‘Destination Kirkby’ called in by central Government for a public enquiry. Then leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Ron Round, states “… We will do all we can to keep the scheme alive and make sure the future of Kirkby is not put at risk.” He will cease to be a councillor long before a single part of any retail development is built.
10/06/2008Everton/Tesco’s stadium plan for Kirkby gets go-ahead Knowsley Council give planning approval ‘Destination Kirkby’, just 2 months after Tesco take ownership of the site. The threat of a public enquiry looms.
04/06/2008Liverpool votes to oppose Everton/Tesco’s plans for Kirkby Liverpool City Council oppose the ‘Destination Kirkby’ plan ahead of Knowsley Council planning committee.

A council spokesman said: “We have objected on the grounds that this is contrary to planning policy and regional guidance. The scale of the development is far too big and would have a detrimental impact on shopping districts as far as Liverpool City Council and in the north of Liverpool.”
02/06/2008Knowsley planners recommend Tesco/Everton proposals Knowsley Council publishes report on ‘Destination Kirkby’ plan recommending it be approved by councillors.

Interestingly, part of the planning officers justification is: “They see no prospect of real change [to socio-economic depravation] without radical intervention.”
07/05/2008Tesco/Everton trim 25% off Kirkby retail offering Size of retail development scaled back due to pressure from Liverpool City Council and Grosvenor. There is a 25% reduction, the first of several such reductions prior to Tesco pulling out in 2015.
21/04/2008Tesco clinches Kirkby buyout of DevSec land Development Securities sells Kirkby Town Centre to Tesco for £65m to delivery the ‘Destination Kirkby’ plan including a new stadium for Everton FC, a Tesco Extra and 50 new shops. The plan will spawn the Kirkby Residents Action Group (KRAG) who opposed the stadium but supported the regeneration of the town centre. Although not in the article, talks with Tesco were first announced in 2006.