As a key town in the borough, and one with a rich cultural and commercial heritage, the council is committed to supporting and encouraging the long term prosperity and success of Prescot
The town has already benefited from significant public and private investment in recent years, including a new Centre for Learning with state-of-the-art community and leisure facilities; the multi-million pound Whiston Hospital; the new Prescot Centre bringing together the library and the borough’s museum; Cables Retail Park and two business parks - Prescot Business Park and Kings Business Park.
Recent developments include:
Electrification of railway line through Prescot
The Council has granted the necessary planning permissions, road closures and bridge alterations in the area to support Network Rail with their project to electrify the Liverpool to Wigan and Liverpool to Manchester railway lines. Electric trains will start to run through Prescot in early 2015, making journey times to Liverpool and Wigan faster, quieter and more reliable.
Prescot THI
Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) is a £3.2m, 5 year project funded through Heritage Lottery Fund, Knowsley Council and other local partners to:
- Repair, restore and re-use ‘priority’ and ‘reserve’ historic buildings
- Improve the public realm
- Deliver complementary community outreach heritage skills
First building projects
The first two THI building projects, 29-31 Eccleston Street and 40 High Street, started on site in October 2014. As well as repairing and restoring the exteriors of these buildings, the THI is funding the conversion of the long-term vacant upper floors to provide a total of five new affordable town centre dwellings. Traditional shop fronts will also be reinstated to both buildings. The businesses based in both buildings will remain open throughout the works, which are expected to be completed in March 2015.
For full details visit www.prescotthi.org.uk
Public realm
Improvements to Leyland Street, which included new stone pavements, road surface, trees and lighting, were completed in October 2014.
New housing
The final phase of delivery of new family homes, affordable smaller houses and apartments in the south of the town continues.
Expansion of Cables Retail Park
2014 saw several improvements at the retail park including new units for Subway and Carphone Warehouse and the attraction of Marks & Spencer Simply Food which opened in October 2014.
Prescot Town Team wall art – delivered July 2014
The Town Team was formed in 2013 as part of the Portas Pilot scheme and is financially supported by the Council. It is a local business-led partnership of retailers, businesses, public sector and community organisations that meets regularly and has built strong links with the Historic Society, Heritage Hub, One Ark and Chamber of Commerce.
The Town Team is increasingly involved in the regeneration of Prescot Town Centre and, in July 2014, delivered the first phase of their Elizabethan Theatre wall art project in Leyland Street. In the 16th century Prescot was home to one of only a handful of free-standing theatres outside of London. In recognition of this heritage, the artwork, standing 25 feet wide and 18 feet high, will be a permanent feature and will be a fantastic backdrop for future outdoor performances and events in Leyland Street.
Prescot Heritage Hub – delivered June 2014
With support from the Council, Prescot Heritage Hub, a community group that works with Prescot Historic Society to undertake research into the heritage and history of the town, moved to new larger premises at 53 Eccleston Street.
Street lighting replacement – completed March 2014
£2.9m has been invested in the replacement of street lights across the town. The new energy efficient LED lights increase lighting levels at street level and reduce maintenance costs.
Leyland Street improvement scheme – delivered October 2013
As part of the £3.2m Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative, funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, Knowsley Council and other local partners, one of the main pedestrian routes into the town centre has been improved. Footpaths and road surfaces have been replaced with traditional paving materials in keeping with Prescot’s rich heritage. The road has also benefitted from a replanting scheme of new trees.
Prescot Soccer and Leisure Centre – delivered October 2013
The £1.4m new centre on Warrington Road offers a fitness suite, changing facilities and a fully licensed bar as well as seven new third generation (3G) pitches, which have all the characteristics of playing on grass. There is also a full-sized astro-turf pitch for 11-a-side matches. The pitches are floodlit and there is plenty of free on-site parking.
You can register a team online at www.prescotsoccercentre.co.uk and take advantage of the interactive team and squad management facility – with information about fixtures, results and even player profiles.
The leisure centre is open seven days a week, with peak fitness memberships from £13.50 per month with a Passport to Leisure.
To book a pitch call 0151 443 2200 or visit Active Knowsley for more information. Discounts are available to FA affiliated teams.