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Edge Lane retail park plans revised

Revised plans for Liverpool’s Edge Lane retail park edge closer to fruition, following talks between Mayor Joe Anderson and Derwent Holdings.

Liverpool City Council estimate the multi-million pound development will create 1,500 jobs although it has delayed by over two years.

Discussions between Mayor, Joe Anderson and Derwent Holdings chairman, Albert Gubay, have been ongoing as the council say economic conditions have impeded its approval.

The new-look plans include a major leisure and restaurant development on 147,000 sq ft of land originally earmarked for extension of Rathbone Hospital; a smaller scale park on the former Robinson Willey gas site; four retail units for the former Crossfields Garages; and a scaling back of the main retail park from 46 to 30 planned units, plus restaurants and the scrapping of an underground carpark idea.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, said: “This is a hugely ambitious project, made all the more challenging by the tough economic times.

“Work is already underway on phase one but we want to make sure the entire scheme is delivered which is why we have worked in partnership with Derwent to make it work for them and us.

“We are determined to make it happen, because we know how important it is to rejuvenate this major city gateway, delivering excellent retail and leisure facilities and creating many new jobs.”

The scheme is an important part of the work to improve the route into the city centre, which also includes the recently-completed Hall Lane improvements, new housing on Edge Lane and the proposed new Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Director of Regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, said: “In times of austerity, it’s more important than ever that we work creatively with the private sector and continue to build confidence in Liverpool as the place to do business.

“Significant regeneration continues in this city, despite the recession, with hundreds of millions of pounds of projects underway.

“We want to make sure Edge Lane Retail Park is one of those projects, because of the immense benefits it will bring to Liverpool.”

The revised proposals will be considered by the Mayor’s Cabinet on Friday 30 August.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .