New pocket parks, trees, murals and street improvements are coming to County Road as part of plans to boost one of Liverpool’s best-known high streets.
The programme of investment has been developed in response to feedback from local businesses and aims to create a cleaner, greener and more welcoming environment for residents, visitors and shoppers.
It was delivered through the Business Support Service at Liverpool City Council which provides support to existing city businesses and local residents looking to start-up a new business.
The improvements began in July with the installation of new ‘pocket parks’ at the Hale Road and Carisbrooke Road junctions, bringing benches and planting to create more welcoming spaces for people to stop, meet friends and spend time on the high street.
The scheme was developed following engagement with local businesses, who said a greener, more attractive environment and more places to sit would encourage people to spend longer on County Road and support local trade.
The pocket parks are the first step in a wider programme of improvements being delivered by teams across the council to help enhance the appearance of the area, respond to community feedback and build local pride.
Alongside the new seating and planting, work has been completed on a new mural at the Hale Road junction, created by local artist Madeleine Pires in collaboration with local resident and business owner Rachel Workman (Uniqcorn/Well Made CIC), supported by Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and dot-art.
Artist Madelaine Pires with the artwork (and pictured top with local resident Rachel Workman)
The concept for the artwork is based on themes of community resilience, using the metaphor of buddleia as beauty thriving in tough terrain.
Madeleine Pires has previously worked with dot-art and Culture Liverpool on the award winning Flower Streets Murals Project in neighbouring Kirkdale.
Further murals and public art will also be delivered in the County Road area by the Culture Liverpool team during autumn and winter, adding colour and vibrancy to the area.
New trees will be planted on land at the junction of Arundel Street and Carisbrooke Road and on land off Chirkdale Street, with the work funded through Section 106 developer contributions. Communal bin screening is also planned to improve the appearance of key locations, encourage recycling and help tackle fly-tipping.
The council is also planning a review of local parking restrictions after businesses raised concerns that a lack of legal short-stay parking is affecting customers and trade. The work will form part of a wider review of parking schemes across the city.
The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead agency.
Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy said: “County Road is an important local high street with a strong community spirit and proud local businesses.
“These improvements have been shaped by feedback from the people who know the area best and are about making County Road a cleaner, greener and more welcoming place to spend time.
“From new seating and planting to public art and tree planting, we’re investing in practical changes that will make a real difference to the look and feel of the area while supporting local businesses and encouraging pride in the neighbourhood.”
“The original concept for this piece was born both from personal and collective tough times and shows the beauty of Resilience and the growth and transformation that can come with it.
Rachel Workman added: “It has been extra special to bring it to life in my own community and I am very grateful for the opportunity to work in true collaboration with Madeleine in developing this special piece from concept to actually getting the paint on the wall.
“It has been an honour to work with such a creative and talented artist, I’ve learnt so much and loved every minute of it. Thank you to everyone who’s made the project possible and I am excited to bring more creative projects to County Road in the future.”
