Three areas in Wirral are set to receive major long-term investment under the Pride in Place programme. Local leaders say the aim is to rebuild pride, boost opportunity and put communities in control of shaping their future over the next decade.
A new regeneration initiative is set to reshape three Wirral communities—Central Birkenhead, the Woodchurch estate, and Seacombe—over the next decade. Announced in September 2025, the 60-million-pound "Pride in Place" program is designed to combat deprivation through locally led planning, with each of the three areas slated to receive up to 20 million pounds in investment. The program, which is characterized by local leaders as an opportunity for transformation, relies on the establishment of three neighborhood boards to guide development. These boards are chaired by Liam Kelly, Jenny Allanson, and Nicola Fenton, who are each responsible for one of the three areas.
Their primary objectives are to engage with their respective neighborhoods, gather local feedback, and produce ten-year investment plans. These plans are to be submitted to the government by the end of the year, with the first funding decisions expected in 2027. Kelly, who advocates for a shift in how community assets are managed, expressed that the program aims to address issues like vacant shops and boarded-up buildings. He argued that these conditions have long held back Birkenhead, stating, "I want a revolution in ownership."
Kelly believes that communities should be empowered to take direct control of local assets, such as the Birkenhead Town Hall, and reimagine how these spaces are utilized to better serve local needs. Fenton, who runs a community support organization in Seacombe, emphasized the necessity of rebuilding local pride and optimism. She noted that the program’s success depends on prioritizing community-driven changes rather than relying on outside consultants who may not fully understand the nuances of local challenges. While supporters of the program anticipate that it could reshape these neighborhoods for generations, its long-term success remains contingent on continued community engagement and securing necessary government approval.
