New video shows how market could transform former Argos store

A new video shows what controversial plans for a new Birkenhead Market could look like as Wirral Council asks for wider public feedback. This would see the renovation of a former Argos behind a bus station.

The local authority has been working on plans for a new market in the town of Birkenhead since 2019 with a number of different locations put forward and at least £1.5m already spent. However the relationship between the council and market traders has soured over the last year following a controversial decision to relocate the facility to the former Argos site on Princes Pavements.

Traders believe that under these plans many long-standing businesses will have to close down due to a lack of trading space and a location on the edge of the town centre away from shoppers. However the council is still pressing ahead arguing the Argos location provides benefits such as links to public transport.

At a March 27 regeneration committee meeting, councillors from Wirral’s Labour and Conservative parties voted to approve the relocation into the Argos unit following an £8m renovation with an expected date of February 2026. Council officers put forward the Argos proposal saying it would be a cost effective renovation of a modern building that requires little modification close to transport links and provide the space traders require while other options were undeliverable.

However Liberal Democrat and Green Party councillors on the committee voted against the move criticising the council report for what they said were unrealistic presentations of other options with "an underlying bias" and "wider motives" towards a particular outcome. After the meeting, Joe Orr, chair of the market tenants association said: “My faith in politics has been completely shattered. I just feel total disappointment.”

It is planned for the current market site to be demolished to make way for future developments but these were not included in the costs for the Argos plans. One leaked report suggests this could include the potential relocation of the Europa Pools leisure centre.

Wirral Council has said the design of the Argos market is open to change and it will continue to engage with traders going forward. However traders are still deeply opposed to the idea, have put forward alternative proposals, and previously described it as “a glorified canteen for council employees.”

Wirral Council leader Cllr Paul Stuart previously told the ECHO “engagement with traders could have been better from the start,” adding: “What this boils down to is we have got a finite amount of money and it’s to deliver something or nothing because that money comes with a deadline.

“It might not be what some of the traders want but I think that once it’s built where the proposal is, that’ll give confidence, bring footfall for the traders, and give confidence for the traders we are behind them.”

Work to strip out the Argos unit is expected to start in mid-September to prepare it for the refurbishment. Wirral Council said the Argos plans would “breathe new life into the town centre,” adding: “High streets everywhere are changing, and we must make sure we meet the changing needs and expectations of current and potential new customers.”

Cllr Stuart said: “Across the country, town centres are transforming to meet the evolving needs of shoppers and visitors. Birkenhead Market, which has been at the heart of the town centre for generations, is ready to embrace positive steps to secure its future.

“This latest engagement with residents, shoppers, market traders, and everyone invested in the Market's future is an exciting opportunity. Together, we will shape the new market in its new location, a space that holds great potential to perfectly meet the current and future needs of our vibrant shopping area, further energising our mission to breathe new life into Birkenhead town centre.”