Investors circle for Kirkby Tesco site

FOUR bids are on the table from investors to buy Tesco’s land in Kirkby and use it for a multi-million pound development.

In January, the supermarket group announced it would not be opening its planned store in the town – one of 49 across the country it had decided to shelve.

The bids come after months of behind the scenes work from Tesco and the council to attract investment.

Plans drew up by Tesco, which included a new supermarket, other retail units, space for a new library, and open space, had been approved in 2011.

The new store was to have been the anchor of a £200m town centre regeneration scheme.

Another scheme, which included a new Everton FC football ground, was rejected by the Government in November 2009 after an inquiry concluded it would breach regional planning guidelines.

Coun Andy Moorhead, leader of Knowsley Council, said: “We are naturally delighted that four high quality proposals have been submitted for Kirkby. We made it very clear when Tesco pulled out of the town that we would do whatever we could as a local authority to help to attract new investment. We are looking forward to the conclusion of the bidding process, so that we can then work with a new partner on the completion of our regeneration programme.”

Following an initial review of the proposals, Tesco is now in the process of carrying out due diligence before making a final decision on the sale of the company’s assets in Kirkby.

A Tesco spokesperson added: “We are very pleased to have received bids for our site in Kirkby and are now evaluating these bids. We are treating this process as a priority and while we’re not currently able to provide definitive timescales, we look forward to making a positive announcement to the local community soon that will secure long term investment in Kirkby.”