Source: Liverpool_Echo
Gordon Brown: ‘I will revive Everton FC stadium, shops dream’
GORDON Brown has personally stepped in to try to save Everton's aborted plans for a new stadium in Kirkby.[LNB]The prime minister has asked for high-level talks to focus on reviving the proposal for a 50,000-capacity stadium and a Tesco store, but without the accompanying shops that led to the scheme's rejection.[LNB]Under the new plan, the huge additional retail space would instead be built in Kirby town centre proper - one of the centres that a planning inspector ruled would be damaged by the original proposal.[LNB]Intriguingly, the rescue plan will be put forward after Mr Brown urged his ministers to find a way out of the wreckage of 'Destination Kirkby'.[LNB]The prime minister is concerned not only about the impact of the rejection on the region, but also its effect on England's troubled bid to win the 2018 World Cup.[LNB]The bid organisers believe Liverpool - with its proud footballing heritage and fanaticism for the sport - simply must have a modern stadium good enough to host some of the matches.[LNB]Now Phil Woolas, the 'Minister for the North West', will meet senior officials from Knowsley council and, later, Tesco chiefs to try to breathe new life into the Kirkby move.[LNB]Senior government figures believe they enjoy some leverage over Tesco because the food giant's big expansion plans include proposed stores at major sporting venues, including the Old Trafford cricket ground.[LNB]Furthermore, Tesco chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, is a lifelong Everton supporter and is known to have been bitterly disappointed by the Kirkby knockback.[LNB]Mr Woolas said: "This issue is far from over and the needs of Everton Football Club are still real.[LNB]"The government is committed to the regeneration of both Kirby and Skelmersdale and we will be working behind the scenes with all parties to see if we can take forward a Plan B.[LNB]"We are not going to leave this to the free market. I will be meeting with local civic leaders to use government power to intervene in this."[LNB]Mr Woolas will report back to the prime minister on progress.
