IN-DEPTH NEWS

“Loop” site key to Blues remaining in Liverpool?

Retail operator Bestway believes that their Scotland Road site close to the centre of Liverpool could hold the key to Everton FC remaining in the city.

They say that an initial assessment shows that a stadium would fit on the site of their distribution warehouse in the "Loop" junction leading from the Wallasey tunnel and that such a development could also act as a regeneration catalyst for the surrounding area.

Malcolm Carter, Head of Property for Bestway (Holdings Ltd) said:

“Bestway operates a successful and growing business in Liverpool which we are committed to retaining in the locality. This is of paramount importance to us.

“But we have recently been presented with an opportunity which, for the city, would combine the massive desirability of allowing Everton FC to remain within the city of Liverpool and come home to Everton, while acting as a significant catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area.

“This would involve developing a new stadium and associated commercial enterprises both within our existing location and on neighbouring sites.

“Bestway already has a design team in place and are in discussion with a stadium contractor about working up proposals which, from an initial assessment, are very feasible.

“We know that a football stadium will fit into our site and could work in this location. It would be the blue heart of the city.”

Mr Carter added that it was imperative that these proposals were aired and acted upon to see if the necessary support was in place to allow it to proceed further:

“As with all ventures, timing is of the essence. There needs to be an enormous groundswell of support from the city, both technically and politically, and equally a will from Everton FC and, above all else, its supporters.

“We need to test this immediately and to understand whether or not its potential can be moved forward in the very near future.”

Everton CEO Keith Wyness stressed, however, that “deliverability is the key”.

“All along, that was the test that any site in the city has failed to meet," he said. “The commercial package we need from a development has never been produced. We have been in discussions about those sites with the council for some time, and there has never been the ability to put together a definitive package that we could rely on.”

By coming forward at what is a critical juncture in Everton's future, Bestway hope to now put in place a proposal that would satisfy both Everton's desire for "deliverability" and many fans' support for an alternative to Kirkby within Liverpool's boundaries.

More about Bestway and the proposed site

Bestway’s wholesale retail outlet currently occupies what is known as the "Loop" site at Scotland Road, Liverpool, one of three sites put forward this past week by Liverpool Council leader, Warren Bradley. This gateway location is the first sight of the city for traffic entering via the Wallasey tunnel, and is also bordered by direct routes into the city centre. It would be a highly visible location for a new stadium development.

Bestway includes banking, cement manufacture, milling and property development as well as its 50 retail depots across England and Wales.

The Bestway Group was founded in 1962 in West London, developing from specialist Asian food stores before entering the wholesale market in 1976 with the opening of its first cash and carry outlet.