MP welcomes commitment to town centre renewal scheme
WEST Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has welcomed the council’s continued commitment to finally delivering the Skelmersdale Town Centre development.
In light of the Covid-19 crisis, concerned residents contacted Ms Cooper worried that council funding for the scheme may have been used up in the pandemic response.
The MP has received assurances from West Lancashire Borough Council, saying it was “pleased to confirm unequivocally that no such redirection of funding has taken place and the council has the necessary financial resources for this project”.
The project is a partnership between the borough council, Homes England and developer St
Modwen, and supported by the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Builders arrived on site in January to start construction on the scheme which is aimed at breathing new life into the area by bringing significant investment and new jobs, providing benefits for the whole of West Lancashire.
Phase one will create shops for Lidl and B&M
Bargains, and another retail unit. A play area will be created in Tawd Valley Park and a new high street will be provided to link West Lancashire College with the rest of the town centre.
Enhancements will also be made to the public areas outside Skelmersdale Library.
Ms Cooper said: “Residents were understandably concerned that with the pandemic and the council’s major response to supporting residents that there may have been a gap in funding left for the delivery of Skelmersdale Town Centre.
“Having written to West Lancashire Borough Council, I am pleased to receive their absolute assurance that funding remains in place to complete the development and their continued commitment to deliver.
“Phase One of Skelmersdale Town Centre will bring new retail opportunities for the town. The new town centre will give a boost to the plans for a Skelmersdale railway station and encourage investment in the Concourse, which we have already seen with the announcement of the new cinema.
The council now needs to press on with developing a ‘night-time’ economy for Skelmersdale, including family restaurants and leisure facilities. It will also enable shops and businesses to benefit from the 90% of Skelmersdale ‘spend,’ which is actually spent outside of the town.”