£500k boost given to the proposed Bootle Canalside multi-functional site

Bootle Canalside will soon become a reality after Sefton Council’s cabinet’s approval of its business case, and additional funding to bring the project to completion.

Bootle Canalside will serve as a multi-functional events, entertainment, and hospitality venue.

It will stimulate the local economy, transforming the look and feel of the town for residents, businesses and visitors and improving the quality of life for the community.

Further artists impressions released today give a flavour of what the site adjoining the Strand will soon look like with, a dynamic, multi-purpose open air venue sitting alongside the waters of the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

The finished site will include food and drink offer outlets, located in our refurbished shipping containers, in a nod to Bootle’s industrial past. It will also feature an urban community garden to bring green space into the town centre.

The Council has committed £567,000 to complete the physical works on site, open up the canal towpath and start work on developing a full events programme, from Summer 2022. It will potentially include Christmas markets, music events and comedy shows.

The work will improve the environment and open up the canal for use, as well as providing a link to the future Bramley Moore Dock Everton development. The aim is to bring new activity to the under-used land as the long-term regeneration of Bootle develops.

The completion of the site is highly anticipated with a number of groups seeing the potential of such a diverse space. These include a ‘Street Food Regeneration Programme’ set to be delivered in partnership with the Government’s Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Nationwide Caterers Association, Hugh Baird College and Everton in the Community.

The approval of the Bootle Canalside Business Case by Sefton Council’s cabinet brings completion one step closer and signals its long-term commitment to the regeneration of Bootle.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:  

“It is hugely positive that we are making a commitment to develop Level Up our communities and provide important new infrastructure which will kickstart the regeneration and reorientation of Bootle town centre.

“On the back of the acquisition of the Strand and adjacent sites, we have an amazing opportunity to open up a substantial stretch of canal frontage, and the opportunities for community groups, events, and leisure activities are endless.

“We look forward to providing more updates on the progress of the physical works and the development of an events programme for this and next year, in the coming months.”

Visit the Sefton Council website here.