The Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee met to discuss the future of Birkenhead Market, following concerns about the suitability of the proposed new location. The committee voted to recommend that the Policy and Resources Committee halt further work on the former Argos unit as the site for the market, and requested that the Chief Executive arrange a workshop to explore alternative options. They also received an update on the Birkenhead Town Centre regeneration scheme.

Birkenhead Market Relocation

The committee decided to recommend that the Policy and Resources Committee abandon the proposed relocation of Birkenhead Market to the former Argos site on Princes Pavement. This decision followed a workshop where members raised concerns that the location was not suitable for a successful market.

The Assistant Director of Property and Investments told the committee that the government had extended the deadline for the delivery of Simplification Pathfinder Pilot funding from March 2027 to March 2028.

Members supported the principle of no longer proceeding with the relocation, citing concerns about the size and location of the building, and a lack of support from traders and the community. They reflected on lessons learned from the 27th March 2024 decision to proceed with the Argos site, and the importance of collaboration and rebuilding trust with traders and the wider community.

A public question was received from Antony Wright, asking what action was being taken to address the failings of the Birkenhead Town Centre regeneration scheme, following findings that the scheme was £12 million over budget and a year behind schedule, resulting in the closure of shops and impacting Birkenhead Market and Conway Street.

Councillor Mark Skillicorn, Chair of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, said that the committee would be considering the future of the market and whether the proposed relocation remained the best option.

The committee requested assurance that the project would proceed at a pace consistent with developing the right plans and achieving broad consensus. Officers said that alternate options would be outlined in further detail at the workshop, and delivery would be informed by the development of an appropriate budget.

The committee agreed to add a workshop to the work programme as a matter of urgency.

The committee recommended that the Policy and Resources Committee agree:

1. No further works or services relating to the former Argos Unit located at Princes Pavement be commissioned further to the resolution of the Economy Regeneration and Housing Committee relating to Birkenhead Market Options made on 27th March 2024; and
2. The Chief Executive be requested to make arrangements for a further workshop for the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee Members to explore and recommend alternative options for a future market offer as a matter of urgency.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board on 1 September 2025 noted the board's consensus that a market in Birkenhead was pivotal and should remain within the Pathfinder programme. The board considered that any future option to cease delivery of a market was not viable.

The board made several observations, including:

• Learning from examples of successful market projects such as those in Preston, Warrington, and Chester.
• The need to restore goodwill with the public and traders and to restore confidence in the wider regeneration of Birkenhead.
• The importance of a market offer in supporting small independent businesses.
• That successful delivery of a market could support wider programme outputs in respect of the visitor economy in enhancing footfall and the creative sector offer in Birkenhead.
• That a standalone market was more attractive than relocating traders into separate units.
• That key stakeholders, including the views of existing traders, needed to be involved in the decision-making process.

The board noted the time and financial constraints associated with progressing an alternative option using pathfinder funds before the deadline of March 2027, and the importance of arriving at a viable and deliverable option promptly.

Budget Monitoring

The committee received an update on the Birkenhead Town Centre regeneration works. Councillor Mark Skillicorn noted that an update report on the delivery of the town centre works would be considered by the committee on 15 September 2025, detailing actions taken since the delays and cost issues were known. He added that the findings of the internal audit investigation were also considered by the Audit and Risk Committee on 2 September 2025, with a further report and comprehensive action plan scheduled for 4 November 2025.

Other Business

The committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2025.