Skelmersdale on the verge of massive regeneration

The short term economic future of Skelmersdale will be decided during the next six weeks, according to the economic development champion for West Lancashire, councillor Frank McKenna.

Plans include a retail and leisure offer that will establish a genuine night time economy for the town, a revitalised Tawd Valley that will be at the heart of the scheme and the development of up to 900 additional houses across the town.

However, councillor McKenna warned that there was still one potential hurdle for the project to overcome – a Judicial Review of the whole scheme which may be triggered by the owners of the Concourse Shopping Centre London & Cambridge.

“I will be disappointed if that happens, not least because this new regeneration scheme can only benefit the Concourse in the future. With the additional footfall this initiative will bring to the town, the jobs and the additional cash that will be circulating in the local economy, I believe the existing shopping centre would be shooting itself in the foot to oppose these plane – whilst confining Skelmersdale to a further period of frustration, uncertainty and economic decline.

“I don’t think the community of Skelmersdale with either forgive or forget easily anyone who gets in the way of our best chance to put our town on the map for the right reasons.”