| DIY Makeover for Edge Hill District Centre? |
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MOVES to breathe new life into a rundown district centre In Liverpool are being proposed. A consortium of Neptune Developments Ltd and Taskers DIY plc are proposing that Edge Hill district centre undergoes major redevelopment. At its heart would be the relocation of Taskers HQ from Aintree and a new two level DIY store, creating more than 100 jobs. It would also have a major new food store, smaller shops, apartment blocks and new premises for the Council’s Customer Focus Centre and Job Centre Plus. There is also the potential for new business premises, community facilities and a PCT building. A report to the City Council’s Executive Board notes that the centre – the area bounded by Wavertree Road, Harbord Street and Kinglake Street - currently “ presents a very poor impression to the surrounding area with bland and unattractive elevations large area of open car parking and under use and poorly landscaped open spaces. “ The Board is being asked the enter into an exclusivity agreement with the consortium under which the Council would agree not to negotiate the disposal of any of its property in the area while a feasibility study into the plans are drawn up. It will consider this proposal at its meeting on 2 March. Lib Dem Cllr Peter Millea, Executive Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “These proposals are very much in their initial stages but it is clear that this is an area badly in need of development and there is the potential there to create hundreds of jobs and bring new facilities to the community. “It could also complement the work being done by the Housing Market Renewal Initiative and Kensington Regeneration to regenerate the area. “I would stress that we have made no decision yet and all we are being asked to do is allow ideas for the scheme to be worked up. A feasibility study will need to look at planning and land acquisition issues, costs and the value of the proposed development. If that is produced and is satisfactory we would then need to look at a full development agreement but at this stage all we are being asked to do is give the consortium the opportunity to progress their proposals.”
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