The New Strand Shopping Centre, known locally simply as The Strand, is the main shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, England. Opened in 1968, it was part of a larger Bootle redevelopment during this period, which was also complemented by the establishment of the Girobank headquarters in nearby Netherton. The centre was extended between 1997 and 1998 and completed in November the same year to provide additional retail outlets, as well as additional car-parking facilities and improved transportation to the centre. The Strand centre is also widely known for the 1993 abduction of toddler James Bulger, who was later found murdered on a nearby railway line. Police examined CCTV footage recorded in the centre and later discovered that two ten-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, were responsible for his abduction and murder. In October 2014, it was announced that London-based Ellandi had purchased the shopping centre, yet it was sold to Sefton Council just two and a half years later.
History
The Strand opened on 4 October 1968 by Mayor of Bootle, Alderman Oliver Ellis as part of a larger Bootle redevelopment during this period, having previously been streets of housing. The Strand saw its first major redevelopment and expansion in 1997-1998, conceived in response to the shortage of larger sized units in Bootle. The redevelopment project consisted of a expansion to the existing shopping centre mall, providing new floor space to a host of new retailers, whilst also providing a direct link into a new bus station and transport interchange for Merseyrail, all being completed in November 1998. Additional parking facilities were provided in the form of a new multi storey carpark which complements the existing multi story carpark adjacent. The centre was purchased by London-based Ellandi in 2014, who announced plans to update the signage, improve accessibility and bring in new retailers. Under their ownership, the return of anchor tenantTJ Hughes was announced, as well as a vacancy rate decrease to less than 10%, with a footfall increase of 14% each year. Ellandi sold the shopping centre in 2017 to Sefton Council for £32.5m, who cited the desire to protect local jobs and assist towards a wider region regeneration, as well as to generate a stable income for the council. The council spent almost £700,000 on legal advice for the purchase of the shopping centre. An estimated 118,000 shoppers visit the centre weekly. Despite the sale, Ellandi will continue to manage the shopping centre, whilst working alongside Sefton Council to deliver their regeneration strategy.
Stores
Stores in the shopping centre include TJ Hughes, New Look, Iceland, B&M, Argos and JD Sports. TJ Hughes is the centre's largest tenant since returning to bigger premises in October 2015, having previously closed in 2011.
The shopping centre has won a Home Office award for its efforts in tackling crime, with just a handful of other towns and cities in the North West of England gaining the honour. Following a fall in crime rates to become one of the lowest in the region, it was granted a Safer Business Award.
