Town centres

The council has ambitious plans to invest in the extension of the local district centre in Halewood – a development initially delivered by the Council in 2012. The current centre includes an Aldi supermarket, Iceland, Home Bargains, Subway and other retail units, along with parking for 300 cars, a library, an NHS Walk-In centre and GP surgeries.

The council is keen to develop the local offer and invest further in the area for the benefit of local residents. With new housing developments underway the population is set to grow even more. In response, the council is making £4.4m of major road improvements and using £9m of private sector contributions to increase school places and enhance early years services. Finch Woods has been improved and is now being maintained, and public transport for residents is being improved.

The proposed extension and development of the district centre will see this area expand, as well as improvements and enhancements made to the green space. This will include better links, and a new facility for the Junior Football club.

Knowsley Council has secured (in January 2023) £15.3m of funding from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund (formerly Levelling Up Fund) to support its development plans for Halewood. They include an expansion of the local district centre, improvements to greenspace and leisure facilities, as well as funding improvements to walking and cycling connectivity throughout the town and to employment areas.

Huyton Village Centre is a well-established shopping destination for the local community. Home to the Council’s main civic campus, the Village Centre is well served by public transport, including a train and bus station, and offers a vibrant range of independent and national retailers alongside a growing night-time economy.

The council is in the process of delivering it’s 10-year development plan to further improve Huyton Village Centre. Work is already well underway to enhance the local area, creating new opportunities for further retail, leisure and residential development.

This will be a catalyst to attract further investment, create jobs and deliver long-term social and economic benefits for the local community and businesses in the village centre.

The regeneration plans will include new homes, high-quality commercial space, the creation of a central village green and significant public realm improvements.

As part of the proposals the former B&M unit on Cavendish Walk is being transformed into a vibrant, modern library and community space.

The new facility will provide residents with a welcoming and accessible space for learning, accessing digital services and offering many events and activities, while bringing a prominent vacant unit back into active use.

Plans also include the delivery of a sustainable travel hub next year on the site of the current multi-storey car park on Lathom Road which will deliver modern parking facilities, electric charging points and dedicated disabled bays.

Huyton Village Centre has established its own blossoming night-time economy. This has been supported by an extensive programme of improvements to shop fronts, which have seen the installation of new windows, doors, signage and lighting across the village centre. These key improvements have allowed for more food and beverage operators to consider Huyton, with a range of establishments opening up.

Huyton has excellent transport links with direct rail services to Liverpool and Manchester and sits close to the M62 and M57.

Kirkby has undergone a major transformation over the last few years thanks to the council’s multi-million investment to buy and expand the town centre offer.
Since that purchase, the Council has worked to deliver a Morrisons superstore, petrol filling station, large Home Bargains, drive-thru KFC and Taco Bell restaurants as well as PureGym – constructed in just under two years, creating jobs locally for 500 people.

Building on this success, a further phase of retail development is currently under construction, which will bring a new Lidl store and additional retail units to the town centre, creating around 40 jobs.

The Council has also continued to invest in the town’s infrastructure, including the comprehensive refurbishment of the multi-storey car park. Kirkby now benefits from more than 1,200 free parking spaces across the town centre, including the newly refurbished 372-space multi-storey car park, which offers both short and long-stay parking, electric vehicle charging points, secure cycle storage, upgraded lighting, and enhanced security measures.

Alongside the new additions, Kirkby Town Centre is also home to an array of established high-street shops and the undercover Kirkby Market with around 80 stalls (which has recently benefitted from a £50,000 makeover).

Together, these investments are helping to create a vibrant and attractive town centre that supports local businesses, encourages further investment, and provides improved facilities for residents and visitors alike.

Prescot has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by significant investment from Knowsley Council and its partners. Building on its rich heritage, the town has emerged as one of the region's most exciting destinations, combining culture, history, leisure and independent retail in a thriving town centre.

At the heart of Prescot's renaissance is the award-winning Shakespeare North Playhouse, which opened in 2022. Celebrating Prescot's historic links to Elizabethan theatre and William Shakespeare, the Playhouse has quickly established itself as a nationally significant cultural venue, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond. The venue offers a year-round programme of performances, education activities, community events, workshops, and creative opportunities for people of all ages.

The Playhouse has acted as a catalyst for wider regeneration, helping to boost visitor numbers and support the growth of Prescot's economy. New businesses have opened across the town centre, independent retailers have flourished, and a vibrant evening economy has developed, creating a welcoming destination throughout the day and into the evening.

Investment has also enhanced Prescot's public spaces and infrastructure. Historic buildings have been restored and brought back into use, while improvements to transport facilities, connectivity, signage, paving and public realm have made the town centre more attractive, accessible and easier to navigate.

A key milestone in the town's regeneration was Knowsley Council's acquisition of Prescot Shopping Centre and surrounding properties. This strategic investment has given the Council greater control over the future development of the town centre, enabling long-term planning to support economic growth, diversify the town centre offer and create new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.

Looking ahead, Prescot continues to evolve. Building on the success of recent regeneration projects, the town is well placed to attract further investment, strengthen its cultural and heritage offer, and enhance its position as a vibrant destination at the heart of the Liverpool City Region.