A former British ghost city has been introduced again to life – however locals nonetheless have their reservations.
Wirral Council spent £10.5million on the acquisition of the Pyramids and Grange procuring centres in the course of Birkenhead, as a part of its Birkenhead 2040 plan to revitalise the city. The name was made at a Policy and Resources committee assembly on April 27 and the acquisition was lastly made in May.
However, on the time, the Wirral Council didn’t reveal the quantity that they had paid for it on a foundation of business sensitivity. That reported £10.5million whole got here in far decrease than £70million paid for it again in 2011. During that point, Pyramids suffered, with many feeling the place had turn into drained and was in want of a facelift.
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Prior to its buy, individuals had been largely adverse concerning the expertise in Pyramids. One Tripadvisor evaluation from 2019 titled “Depressong” [sic], learn: “There is nothing about this place that encourages you to visit. I find it very dull and depressing, there is nowhere to go for an enjoyable, relaxing meal”.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Another wrote: “Full of beggars and confidence tricksters. Cannot get peace to have a coffee or shop because of the number of people approaching and asking for money or cigarettes. Adults and youngsters whizzing around on bikes making things hazardous for everyone.
“Keep your wits about you if you need to go near the place. Shoplifters carrying on their trade regardless of law. Never see a policeman.”
In a evaluation on Google, one disgruntled customer stated: “Hate it people drinking cans of beer at 9 in the morning, horrible atmosphere. I avoid at all costs unless I have to go there.”
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
In a two-star evaluation written three weeks in the past from the time of writing, one other wrote: “Sadly, like most of the high street, it’s had its day, But for few little shops like the Works, Entertainer etc worth popping when Liverpool one isn’t an option for time”.
Another from an analogous time stated: “Place still looks rough, shops going out of business, the market has gone downhill due to competition and the new business buildings just look redundant when the existing buildings needed updating in the first place?”
Not everybody was so adverse although. In one five-star evaluation from a yr in the past, one particular person stated: “A nice mall perfectly located in a commercial area. We enjoyed buying from shops and visiting the outdoor shops. A good variety of food is also offered. Good job guys keep it up.”
On Google, it has a 3.7-star ranking after over 4,700 evaluations.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Despite this, in a current LiverpoolEcho story discussing the regeneration mission, some locals shared their frustrations with the centre regardless of the efforts being made.
“There is one new building development going on, which is really just a refurbishment of an old unit and is incomplete,” one particular person stated. “The only businesses, which actually seem to be doing rather well are places like Costa and Nero’s. Even the local MP’s slogan is “Building a Better Birkenhead” – nonsensical rubbish!
In May, Wirral Council’s Director of Regeneration and Place Dave Hughes said: “The council’s aim is to see new life breathed into central Birkenhead and we are confident that this ambition can be achieved through the Council’s local stewardship of the asset. Regeneration of Birkenhead Town centre and the income from the shopping centres will have wider benefits for Wirral services and regeneration of Wirral’s Left Bank area too.”
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