Located between the thriving cities of Liverpool and Manchester, Knowsley is a place well connected and perfectly positioned on the north west motorway network. Boasting a thriving business community, welcoming neighbourhoods and excellent local amenities, it is an increasingly popular place to live, work, visit, invest and do business. Its population is growing rapidly, significant new housing is under development and with continued investment in its town centres Knowsley has recently been highlighted by the Financial Times as one of the top 3 UK places that are recovering well from the pandemic.

Knowsley is also a place of opportunity with a range of development and investment sites available across the borough.

HUYTON TOWN CENTRE

Huyton is a popular residential area boasting well established local amenities in a prime location on the M62 corridor with regular direct train services to Liverpool, Manchester and other major North West towns and cities. At its heart is Huyton Village, home to the council’s administrative headquarters, a mix of national and local retailers serving the 55,000 residents living in the local area and boasting a growing food and drink economy.

Opportunity

Knowsley Council has appointed Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd to work in partnership to deliver an ambitious 10-year development plan for Huyton Town Centre. Work has already commenced on these plans with 14 shop fronts benefitting from a contemporary makeover which has helped to create a growing food and drink offer and night-time economy, a gateway lighting project has been completed and several key sites are primed for development. The Council’s ambitious plans for Huyton Town Centre include a new mixed use commercial development including new homes, a hotel, new commercial offices, anchored by a new civic campus centred around an attractive new Village Green. The Council and Genr8 Kajima Regeneration are keen to speak to prospective end users of these developments. A number of other development opportunities are also available in Huyton and the Council would welcome any enquiries from developers and potential operators.

LOCATION: Knowsley

DEVELOPER: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council seeking investment partners and end users

TOTAL SITE AREA: 11 acres

SUITABLE USES: Commercial office space, residential, leisure, hotel

DELIVERY TIMESCALE: 0 – 10 years

KIRKBY TOWN CENTRE

With more than 41,000 residents living in the immediate area, Kirkby has a bustling town centre that has benefitted from well in excess of £100 million public sector investment into new facilities including a new health centre, bus station, library, gallery, new market and public realm. Knowsley Council acquired the town centre in 2019 to speed up the delivery of new retail development and wider regeneration of the area. Despite the Covid pandemic, the first phase of this new retail development completed in 2021 and has delivered a new 130,000 sq. ft. town centre extension anchored by a 45,000 sq. ft Morrisons Supermarket alongside lettings to KFC, Taco Bell, Home Bargains and most recently Pure Gym.

Opportunity

Alongside considerable retail growth, plans for a new leisure scheme in the town are also being developed which would include a cinema with opportunities for bars/restaurants from 4,550 sq. ft. to 5,700 sq. ft. The Council is seeking end users to occupy the remaining 800 sq. ft. to 14,000 sq. ft. retail units available and has a number of prime town centre sites which remain available for mixed used developments. These ranging from 0.3 acres to 3 acres to accommodate leisure, commercial, hotel and residential development.

LOCATION: Knowsley

DEVELOPER: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council seeking investment partners and end users

SUITABLE USES: Commercial office space, residential, leisure, hotel, retail

PLANNING STATUS: Planning permission secured for an additional 35,000 sq ft of retail floor space

PRESCOT TOWN CENTRE

Prescot is a town with a unique and rich heritage which is at the heart of the town’s cultural rejuvenation.  This is largely inspired by the new Shakespeare North Playhouse, an iconic new theatre and education facility which opened its doors in July 2022. Significant public and private investment in many of the town’s historic buildings and public realm has led to the opening of new bars and restaurants, independent retailers and vibrant indoor and outdoor community spaces. Prescot is well connected with a train station connecting the town to Liverpool and Manchester and within easy reach of the strategic road network. 

Opportunity

Prescot Shopping Centre, located on the main pedestrianised high street in Prescot Town Centre, was purchased by Knowsley Council in December 2022. The shopping centre, including the adjoining car park is a key opportunity site within the town centre. Beyond this site, Prescot has a wide range of further residential, leisure and commercial opportunities available within the town centre and surrounding area including gateway sites and major mixed-use opportunities.

LOCATION: Knowsley

DEVELOPER: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council seeking investment partners and end users

SUITABLE USES: Residential, leisure, commercial

HALEWOOD

Halewood is currently undergoing major growth with over 1,300 new homes being constructed in the East of Halewood. The Government has confirmed that Knowsley Council has been awarded £15.3 million from Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund for major improvements in Halewood.

The funding proposal, submitted by the Council and now approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, includes 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. The improvements will address significant health inequalities, tackle the Climate Emergency, and address access issues to employment.

Knowsley’s bid for Halewood was focussed on providing additional facilities and infrastructure to support existing and new residents of the town. The plans include an improved retail and leisure offer to meet demand. The council conducted a consultation in Halewood just prior to Christmas 2022 and is now continuing its work to develop and finalise its exciting plans for the town.

Visit investknowsley.co.uk