A major clean up of the County Road area of Walton is underway as part of a long term initiative to improve the area.
The week-long series of activities are being spearheaded by the County High Street Innovation Group, which has secured funding from the Mary Portas fund to deliver improvements for the area.
Using the slogan “Shopping Like It Should Be”, the initiative has already seen the creation of a brand identity for the area, a newsletter for local businesses, the introduction of hanging baskets and a series of arts projects including a spectacular mural on the former Ethel Austin building created by street artist Whoam Irony.
During the week of action, the city council, businesses and residents will be working together to tackle litter, dumping and dumping. A number of skips will be placed on roads in the area for local people to get rid of unwanted items.
On Saturday 7th March, there will be a family fun day in Tesco Car Park from 10am – 2pm with a range of activities put on for younger residents by Walton Youth Project, while there is an opportunity for people to have their say on shopping and business improvements.
On Monday 9th March, there will be a business conference workshop organised in conjunction with the Federation of Small Businesses at Everton Football Club, which local firms can attend.
Councillor Roy Gladden, Chair of the County High Street Innovation Group, said: “County Road has been one of the major retail districts of Liverpool since 1850, and our aim is to increase trade and prosperity and bring more employment opportunities to the local community.
“This cleanup is part of the continuing work we are doing to support local businesses in what we want to make a really thriving shopping district.
“We are working with willing partners to demonstrate that County Road is open for business and that we will do all we can to support existing businesses and others that want to open in the area.”
Over the last year, 24 new businesses have opened on County Road, including a patisserie and clothes, wedding and blinds shops. Two more are in the pipeline, four others have expanded and another has been improved. This contrasts with the loss of just six businesses.
