Development Securities, which is hosting public consultations tomorrow and Saturday, said it wants to:
Build a new “anchor” food store in the heart of the town centre, helping revitalise shops around St Chad’s Parade.
Turn Cherryfield Drive into a second bustling shopping destination with a health centre, library, and possibly bars and restaurants.
Build up a leisure area to the east of the town centre, including a cinema and bowling alley.
Create a commercial quarter in the west of the town centre, with rebuilt council offices and maybe a hotel.
Build new housing on the site of All Saints Catholic high school, which is due to close.
Devise a second phase of development, including a large fashion store, to the south of Cherryfield Drive.
The company said it is “neutral” about the prospect of Everton moving to Kirkby and has left space off Valley Road for the Blues’ proposed stadium should the club press ahead with its relocation plans.
The rival plan comes just a week after Everton and Tesco held a major public consultation event as they prepare to submit a formal planning application to Knowsley council.
As landlord to about 100 traders, Development Securities owns a large chunk of the town centre.
They said their scheme is more realistic and will safeguard the existing town centre.
Investment director Matthew Weiner said: “Our view is that Tesco’s plan runs the real risk of simply replacing the existing town centre with something that has no sense of place, just acres of car park and a massive Tesco.
“Our concern is that there has been no real debate about this. We think there is an alternative that enhances and reinvigorates the town centre. It has a food store, but it is right in the heart, not 750m away.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kirkby and it must be done correctly, not for the short-term.”
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