MP’s call for shop-centre regeneration

Sep 2 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

WALLASEY MP Angela Eagle is to spearhead a meeting of traders and the council in a bid to regenerate one of Wirral’s key shopping centres.

Ms Eagle has set up a meeting of traders in Liscard following the recent announcement that supermarket giant Tesco is expected to open a new store in the town centre.

Ms Eagle said: “Tesco could be a turning point if we can seize the initiative.”

Last month Tesco unveiled plans for a Tesco Express convenience store in the former Roseby’s furniture shop in Liscard Village.

A planning application has been lodged with Wirral Council and, if permission is granted, the store could be open in just six weeks later.

The declining fortunes of Liscard have come under the spotlight recently, with traders starting a Save Our Shops campaign to encourage shoppers to stay local.

Angela Eagle said parking was one of the issues, but said she wanted to see what else people wanted from the town centre.

She said: “There are tough times at the moment but there will be an upturn in the economy and we will have more chance to make progress if we have our plans together.