IN BRIEF
CONSULTATION STARTS ON PLANS FOR NEW BIRKENHEAD NEIGHBOURHOOD
NEW COMMUNITY HUB LAUNCHES IN WIRRAL
Wirral has welcomed a new , first-of-its-kind community hub that has revolutionized the role of the local pub in today ’ s challenging society .
Consultation is now underway on plans for a new neighbourhood in the heart of Birkenhead based around a proposed park area reclaiming unused land .
The Dock Branch Neighbourhood will surround a new park on the former Dock Branch rail line which cuts across part of the town . Combining residential with retail and leisure uses the aim is to create an attractive and vibrant place for people to live and work as well as a destination to visit .
Work is already moving ahead on developing the Dock Branch Park which connects the town centre with Wirral Waters along the route of the disused railway cutting as a key project which will help transform this part of Birkenhead . But to build up a successful and vibrant neighbourhood around the park lots of different things are needed , from the mix of different homes and how people get around the area to making sure it is sustainable and that it maximises health and wellbeing , to name a few .
This consultation aims to find out more about which of those kinds of things people think are important in creating a desirable place to live , work and spend leisure time . This is part of wider regeneration taking place across Wirral ’ s Left Bank from Bromborough to New Brighton via Birkenhead , Seacombe , and Liscard and based on the emerging Local Plan which will also help protect the borough ’ s Green Belt .
Cllr Tony Jones , chair of Wirral Council ’ s Economy , Regeneration and Housing Committee , said : “ The Dock Branch Neighbourhood project is a real opportunity towards restoring Birkenhead and helping the town achieve its potential . I would urge everyone to get involved and have their say and help us make this the huge success it deserves to be . Many millions of pounds of Government funding has been secured by the council specifically ring-fenced to support the regeneration work which is already getting underway . We are now starting to see the fruits of this work and the next few years will see real and beneficial change being delivered for the people of Wirral .”
The consultation runs from January 16 until February 16 . To take part visit the council ’ s HaveYourSay website .
A first of its kind community pub has opened in Wallasey , Wirral . Michelle Leatham , Merseyside Woman Of The Year 2020 , has merged her Building Bridges Community CIC with the Rose & Crown Pub to create a concept that revolutionizes the role of a pub in today ’ s challenging society .
Newly named The Crown Community Hub , Michelle will have all the typical pub activities there such as live entertainment , bingo , Play Your Cards Right , pool and darts teams , live sports and food , but it will also offer some key services to serve the Wirral community . The venue essentially becomes a mix of pub and community centre . Michelle brings many of the things her Building Bridges community centre has offered to the pub . There will be a social supermarket , open Wednesday , Saturday , and Sunday from 10am to 12pm , offering quality food , beverages , clothing , and more at a huge discount , as well as a donation-based salon and holistic therapy service . The project offers support groups , pamper packages for victims of domestic violence , free baskets for families in need , affordable movie nights and they will provide heating , toast , tea , coffee and TV for £ 1 every day so people don ’ t need to use their heating . There will also be parties for children and bus trips to places like Chester Zoo .
Michelle said : “ We live in difficult times and it ’ s time to bring pubs back to their original purpose – to be community hubs and meeting places that help , support and bring people together . We ’ ve done great things at the Building Bridges centres and helped all kinds of people – not just those struggling on welfare – and when the pub became available I thought about merging the two . Unfortunately , many people suffer in silence as they are often too proud to come to places like Building Bridges – they worry about the stigma of ‘ charity ’. However , a pub is a very social place , so we hope that the pub environment will help us to help even more people – combining all the fun pub activities with outreach activities really goes hand in hand .
The Crown Community Hub is now open and some of the activity has already started . Anyone who wants to get involved , learn more , or see what ’ s on can contact Michelle directly on 07490 477053 or follow The Crown Community Hub on social media to find out what ’ s going on or to get involved . wirrallife . com 7