Business leaders, regeneration specialists and community and cultural representatives came together at Wirral Council’s Birkenhead headquarters for the latest Mersey Power Towns event, organised by Downtown in Business and Invest Liverpool City Region.
The event provided an opportunity to explore the opportunities ahead for Birkenhead and Wirral, with discussions covering investment, regeneration, housing, high streets, skills, culture, community engagement and the role of devolution in supporting economic growth.
Gavin Quinn, Head of Commercial Development for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Chair of the Liverpool City Region Inward Investment Board, was among the key contributors, alongside Sean Joughin, Investment Manager at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The discussion highlighted how the Liverpool City Region is increasingly connecting with global investors and financiers, with the region having control of the £2 billion Liverpool City Region Investment Fund. The fund has been designed to help unlock development and accelerate and attract investment across the city region.
Becky Lowry, Chief Regeneration Officer at Wirral Council, outlined a number of investable development opportunities and schemes identified by Wirral Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which could help to accelerate regeneration across the borough.
The event also heard from Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development at Wirral Waters, who discussed the transformation of the former docks and waterfront and the wider legacy of the regeneration project. He highlighted the lasting contribution Wirral Waters has made through training and employment opportunities for local young people over the last decade.
Culture and pride in place were also central to the conversation. Craig Pennington, CEO of Future Yard and Chair of the Birkenhead Culture Partnership, spoke about the importance of connecting with local communities, building pride and creating a strong identity for Birkenhead.
He also discussed Birkenhead’s bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028. From almost 400 applications, Birkenhead has reached the final four in the Large Towns category and is the only town in the North West to have been shortlisted. The experience of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year, alongside other regional examples, has provided valuable lessons as the partnership prepares for the next stage of the bid.
Christine Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at Tranmere Rovers FC, highlighted the important role the football club plays across Wirral, both on and off the pitch. With a strong focus on wider social and community engagement, Tranmere Rovers works with organisations across the borough to involve young people in sport, learning and wellbeing. Through Tranmere Rovers in the Community, the club also supports initiatives tackling poverty, hunger, isolation and mental health.
The discussion brought together a wide range of perspectives on how the public and private sectors can work together to support sustainable growth and regeneration across Wirral.
With devolution continuing to reshape the economic landscape, there was also a focus on what the Liverpool City Region’s devolved powers and Andy Burnham’s ambition to drive economic growth in every postcode could mean for Wirral and the wider city region.
The event was attended by business leaders, private-sector organisations and entrepreneurs keen to understand how they can become more involved in the regeneration of Birkenhead, champion pride in place and help shape the future of the borough.
With Birkenhead now one of just four finalists for UK Town of Culture 2028, there is a growing sense of momentum around the town’s future.
Mersey Power Towns will continue to bring together businesses, civic leaders and communities to explore how towns across the Liverpool City Region can unlock investment, create opportunities and build stronger local economies.
Downtown in Business would like to thank Wirral Council and Invest Liverpool City Region for their support and for hosting the event.
