Sefton campaigner highlights car park commerce packages as part of levelling up drive
"Birkdale Conservative Club at 12 Liverpool Road, would be a prime example of where this proposal could be a fiscally prudent solution for many in this retail precinct"
SEFTON CAMPAIGNER: David Barton
By David Barton
Campaigner for the heritage of Sefton, David Barton, is recommending that his local authority consider a financial incentive package for private car park owners in a move to bring forward radical levelling up opportunities across the Borough.
Mr. Barton suggests that a new economic strategy be drawn up encompassing a discretionary rate relief system for site owners possessing car parks to support local enterprise and commerce.
This would enable best possible use of the built environment that would consolidate local spending patterns across a greater cross-sectional area encouraging others to invest In suitable new shops.
READ MORE
Mr. Barton says: “Alongside consolidating local spending patterns, this would be a brilliantly effective way of enabling growth and attracting stronger investor confidence across Birkdale and the wider Sefton region. The very real allure of choosing to open a new business that comprises the Placemaking Principles mustn’t be lost on Elected Officials as the Village, amongst other places, seeks to find its niche in the 2020s.
Birkdale Conservative Club at 12 Liverpool Road, would be a prime example of where this proposal could and would be a fiscally prudent solution for many in this retail precinct. As I have advocated before, it may be that an evidence-based system charting actual recorded use by people frequenting local shops within a set radius of the Car Park may be utilised with possibilities for the Council and LCR to introduce a ringfenced fund initially that may be further aided by Central Government.
In addition, were a standard charge scheme to be adopted that ranged from £1.00 upwards for 1 hour with a loyalty membership scheme for a set number of hours’ stay this could be lucrative for all parties, especially Sefton Council as it mounts its next grant funding applications.
There is a whole realm of possibilities to this venture, not least the ability to advertise and market this and parallel sites all the way from Southport to Bootle. Whilst both Whitehall and the wider LCR are supporting the Borough, it is fundamental that everything is done to best use these resources accordingly.”
READ NEXT
- The eight changes to the Highway Code that you need to know
- Second DWP cost of living payment of £324 confirmed for families
- Met Office issues yellow weather warning as storms expected
Get all the latest news, updates, things to do and more from Southport's dedicated InYourArea feed.
