A Picton neighbourhood could be enhanced by new shops, businesses and community cafés as a ‘Shops for a Pound’ scheme is launched.

Having achieved success with its ‘Homes for a Pound’ initiative, Liverpool City Council is now looking to revive vacant retail units on Smithdown Road and Earle Road.

Through the project 12 units on the streets will be made available at a cost of £1 per week for up to three years, with successful applicants having to carry out repairs and refurbishments themselves to operate their venture from the space. The businesses will then be charged full commercial rates after the three-year period has expired.

As the council calls for entrepreneurs to apply for the scheme it will not consider gambling establishments, fast food takeaways, tanning salons, off licences and pubs or pay day loan shops, however community cafés and healthy takeaways can be put forward for the areas.

New occupants of the shops must also not compete with existing businesses in the neighbourhood.

The move is part of a wider regeneration of Picton which is seeing 150 vacant houses being offered to people for £1 on the condition that they bring them up to the Decent Homes Standard within a year and live in them for five years.

Deputy mayor, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, says: “We are giving people with a passion and commitment to the area the chance to create a new business and be part of the hugely exciting grassroots regeneration of Picton.

“Work is going to be starting imminently on refurbishing the first properties as part of the Homes for a Pound Plus scheme, while the recent completion of the Archbishop Blanch School has given the area a tremendous boost.

“This is a hugely exciting time for Picton and I believe we are on the cusp of a real upturn in its fortunes driven by the community, supported by the city council.”

Expressions of interest for the Shops for a Pound scheme can now be made to Liverpool City Council online at www.liverpool.gov.uk/shopsforapound until Monday 9 May.

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