Tesco puts forward new Kirkby plans

TESCO has unveiled new plans for Kirkby town centre after its £400m plans with Everton FC for a retail park and football stadium were thrown out by the Government.

Spenhill Regeneration, a subsidiary of the supermarket, has drawn up new proposals which will be exhibited at a public meeting on July 20.

The previous Government rejected the original scheme in November after a planning inquiry concluded it would breach regional planning guidelines.

Spenhill said the new plans would not include a football stadium and would be much smaller. The proposals include a new Tesco store, other retail units, space for a new library, and open space.

Tesco said the proposed store would be part of its regeneration partnership scheme which guarantees that half of all the jobs created would be for people who live nearby or have been out of work for six months or more.

Spenhill’s Matthew Magee said: “Spenhill wants to work closely with residents in Kirkby to provide sustainable job opportunities and help support the regeneration of the area. The public exhibition on the 20th July in Kirkby is open to all, and we are looking for views from every part of the local community.

“Kirkby has fantastic potential, and we firmly believe that the broad mix of shops and community facilities within the proposed scheme will deliver a thriving and successful town centre.”

The exhibition will be held from 1-7pm on Tuesday July 20 at the Kirkby Suite, Cherryfield Drive.