Hub to be developed at former Boots site

A building which was formerly occupied by Boots has been acquired and is to be repurposed as a creative hub as part of a ten-year development plan for Huyton Village Centre.Knowsley Council has completed the acquisition of the 7,000 sq ft unit, on 47-49 Derby Road.The building, which was previously the Mayfair Cinema, will become a ‘maker space’ location in the Village Centre.Liverpool-based MAKE CIC, has been appointed as the creative, digital and maker community operator to manage the space.MAKE will also operate a second creative space on 22 Derby Road with a refurbishment underway. The Make Huyton Village site is expected to open in the first half of next year.The project has been supported by an allocation from the Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram’s Town Centre Fund.”Devolution has given the region the chance to chart our own course with local people choosing the priorities for our area,” said Rotheram. “I launched my Mayoral Town Centre Fund when I was first elected to help rejuvenate our high streets, helping local councils to invest and to inject life back into the hearts of their communities.”MAKE has got a fantastic track record of reimagining left-behind spaces and repurposing them into thriving creative community hubs. It’s great to have them on board and we hope they’ll be able to work their magic once again.”Cllr Tony Brennan, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “We have really ambitious plans for Huyton Village Centre and want to create a diverse offer. Derby Road has already benefited from significant investment through the Shopfront Improvement Scheme, which has brought in an array of new food and drink outlets, and there is so much more to look forward to as part of the ten-year development plan.”The plans for Huyton include the creation of a new commercial district, a village green, a station gateway and a distinctive streetscape scheme on Derby Road. The creation of a Creative, Digital and Maker Space will provide new opportunities, help showcase talent and enhance the offer in the Village Centre.”Liam Kelly, chief executive of Make CIC, added: “The former Boots store offers the perfect location and size for the project and will really maximise the impact the project can have. Make Huyton Village will offer affordable workspace for people to set-up and grow their creative, digital and maker endeavours.”