First phase of Birkenhead town centre regeneration completed with positive social impact already achieved

We’re thrilled to reveal that the first phase of Birkenhead town centre’s regeneration is now complete, after two energy-efficient (Grade A BREEAM Excellent-rated) office buildings totalling 150,000 sq ft were handed over to Wirral Council from Wirral Growth Company.

Aiming to provide local communities with new opportunities and revitalise the built environment through regeneration, the Wirral Growth Company is our 50:50 joint venture partnership with Wirral Council.

In addition to the scheduled delivery of these buildings, working with partner Morgan Sindall Construction, our JV partnership has already enabled significant social impact through an Employment & Skills Plan too.

This is evidenced by figures achieved against target Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), some of which have been exceeded by more than 200%.

Forward funded by Canada Life Asset Management with an investment of £75 million, the buildings will provide tenants with premium, future proofed workspaces designed to WELL accredited standards which means the environment will be monitored to support health and wellbeing via air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, and comfort; the goal being to enhance occupants’ overall performance and mental wellbeing.

Enhanced outdoor spaces will also connect residents to open, adaptable spaces, along with opportunities for pop-up events, boosting Birkenhead’s daytime and evening economies.

Wirral Council will occupy a number of floors in one of the buildings.

Commenting specifically on the impact of the development so far on Wirral Growth Company’s Employment & Skills Plan, Councillor Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council said: “Our partnership with Muse and Morgan Sindall, through the Wirral Growth Company, has already exceeded our ambitious targets against our Employment & Skills Plan which has made a genuine difference to some of our most disadvantaged residents.

“Specifically, the support provided to our Children and Young People department should be held up as best practice. It’s essential that large scale regeneration projects are so much more than simply ‘bricks and mortar’ – there is much to celebrate with the achievements made here that I hope we can take forward to motivate and inspire others.”

The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Jerry Williams, commented: “The completion of these offices is a great moment in our town’s history, a physical statement of progress with our town centre plans which form part of the wider Birkenhead 2040 Framework, a twenty-year plan that will see the creation of new family-friendly neighbourhoods, beautiful green public spaces and parks. It will see Birkenhead’s revitalised town centre re-connected with the amazing opportunities along the Mersey waterfront and make the most of the town’s iconic heritage and buildings.”

Michael White, Head of UK Property at Canada Life Asset Management, comments: “We are really pleased to have provided the finance for this development which forms part of Wirral Council’s wider regeneration plans in Birkenhead. The two office buildings will provide the Wirral with gold standard, modern workspaces which meet the highest standards of energy efficiency.”

Richard Potts, Morgan Sindall Construction’s area director for the Liverpool City Region, said: “It’s been an honour for our team to help create two new Grade A offices for Birkenhead and help fulfil this key element of the Council’s vision for the town. This is a scheme that will generate long-term growth and prosperity in Birkenhead, and from our appointment to handover we were focussed on ensuring the local community benefited every step of the way. As a result, our work on this brilliant project has resulted in a tangible skills and employment boost for Birkenhead.”