Back in 2004 developer St Modwen announced plans to bring a neglected thoroughfare in north Liverpool back to life. Project Jennifer aims to transform the once lively Great Homer Street back into a vibrant shopping and leisure destination. Plans gathered pace when supermarket giant Sainsbury’s signed up to anchor the scheme and last November work finally began at the site with a ground breaking ceremony. This year has seen a flurry of activity as the developer sets about enabling the site. With the project moving forward, we caught up with Steven Knowles, regional director for St Modwen for an update.
Your Move: Can you give a brief overview of where you’re up to?

Steven Knowles: It’s fairly simple really, it’s business as usual. The project is moving forward in the timescales we’ve set ourselves. We’re on site now doing enabling works, prepping the site ready for Sainsbury’s to get on site in the late summer.

YM: From speaking to some of the local residents, it feels like there have been some delays. Is that the case or is it just because things are happening behind the scenes?

SK: We’re on a targeted programme and that was that we would have the site ready for the summer of this year and then Sainsbury’s would start its build programme. The Sainsbury’s store is still due for delivery in late summer/autumn of next year. There’s no delay.

YM: And what about the rest of the project? What can residents expect to see?

SK: There’s another 80,000 square foot of retail space to come alongside it, half of which we’ve agreed deals for. That will be the retail centre delivered. Alongside that will be the public realm and quite a substantial amount of highway works.

YM: How many jobs will the scheme create?

SK: In general terms it’s going to create up to 1,000 job opportunities under a £50m redevelopment scheme. That will be construction, sub-contractors and obviously people working in the retail element of it.

YM: Will there be much changes to transport in the area?

SK: Obviously because we need to get access to the retail park there will be alterations to the highway network so there will be new junctions formed off Scotland Road.

YM: How much of Scotland Road will be impacted?

It will be impacted. Obviously during the construction period we’ll keep things going. The highways will continue to work.

YM: Can you give any information on the homes involved in the scheme?

SK: The housing element is a key part of Project Jennifer and is being carried out by housing developers including Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH) and Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT). LHT has recently completed 20 new residential units at Dryden Street and LMH has recently started work on site to transform the redundant 14 storey Marwood Tower into new residential accommodation.

YM: What will the project mean for the area?

SK: This major regeneration scheme, which has been much needed and wanted by the local community for many years, will transform this part of north Liverpool. It will create more than 1,000 jobs and provide a new district centre for the area, as well as better public spaces and extensive road improvements. The commencement of main site works represent the substantial investment being made in the city and brings more than 10 years of work to fruition. It is testament to the support for the project in the local area.

YM: Finally do you have a message to the residents?

SK: The scheme is on track and we are continuing to deliver.

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