DEMOLITION work on a former commercial building is underway.
The building, located on Grove Street, New Ferry, and which contained a swimming pool, is being demolished as part of the final phase of the New Ferry regeneration project.
The work is being carried out by demolition specialist J. Freeley, who were appointed by Wirral Council to undertake the 14-week programme, which started on January 6, 2025.
It is now being cleared, levelled, and secured with fencing ahead of the council’s highway team starting work to turn it into public car parking.
The car park will have more than 50 new spaces, with provisions for Blue Badge holders.
The next phase of the programme will see the demolition contractors move onto New Chester Road.
Traffic management arrangements are being finalised, and asbestos will be safely removed before work begins to demolish the buildings, which include the former Co-op store and premises from 104-124 New Chester Road.
All the properties have been vacant for several years.
The final part of the programme will see the removal of the former public toilets on the Woodhead Street car park.
Councillor Tony Jones, chair of the economy, regeneration, and housing committee for Wirral Council, said: "It’s great to see work progressing so well on the first phase of the New Ferry regeneration, while at the same time preparations are being made for the second and last phase.
"The demolition of the vacant building on Grove Street allows the council to create more parking spaces there, even as the rest of the work continues.
"The removal of the row of empty shops facing New Chester Road will take away a real blight on the area, to be replaced by much-needed new housing in the coming months."
For safety reasons, there will need to be traffic management arrangements in place while the demolition work is happening, particularly on New Chester Road.
However, access to the Woodhead Street car park will be maintained throughout the demolition phase of this scheme.