As part of Wirral Council’s approach to the regeneration of Birkenhead, IntoPlaces was engaged over an 18-month period to support the start of revitalising a key part of the town in what became known as the Argyle Independent Quarter, named after a prominent road in the area.
Harnessing the creative power of community, third sector, business and local authority leaders, we brought together a dynamic group that combined their passion and talent around a range of initiatives to return this once vibrant edge of centre place into a creative and entrepreneurial neighbourhood.
Context
Like many post-industrial towns, Birkenhead, located on the Mersey, had over time seen a steady decline, with increasing levels of deprivation. However, the town possesses a number of assets that if brought together makes for a powerful agent for change – its people.
On the edge of the town centre sits Argyle Street and historic Hamilton Square, once home to creatives and businesses. Through our work, it was recognised that this area could once again play a key role in the wider regeneration initiatives of the town.
Our approach: creating the collaborative and action-oriented vehicle for change
IntoPlaces undertook a strategic review of a number of areas across Birkenhead that, with support, could become a powerful engine for change. This review identified the Argyle Street area as one with excellent potential.
Working closely with Wirral Council, we engaged with community, business and third sector organisations and individuals to form a local ‘task group’ that curated and formed the Argyle Independent Quarter project team.
Our work included:
Assessment: Strategic assessment of three key locations within Birkenhead reviewing the relative opportunities and issues of each with a view to recommending one area to initially focus support on.
This included social and demographic analysis alongside analysis of the assets of the places, including the community, infrastructure, buildings and spatial factors, plus their place in the wider functional social and economic geography of the area and links to wider regeneration initiatives.
Engagement: Once Argyle Street was agreed upon, we engaged with key local stakeholders and organisations, gaining a deeper insight into the opportunities for the area, and defined the role and membership of a committed local collective to drive change.
Visioning: We supported the development, governance and operation of a locally led ‘task force’ called The Argyle Independent Quarter group who worked on a range of initiatives for the area. This included the creation of a compelling vision for Argyle Street area, resulting in a formal launch of The Argyle Independent Quarter attended by over a hundred people in 2025.
Support: We developed an action plan, including the roll-out of a premises frontage improvement scheme to enhance the visual appeal of the area; planned for a major Heritage Lottery Fund bid; and worked towards establishing a business support forum to allow existing and new businesses and creatives to grow.
The vision
“Our Vision for the Argyle Independent Quarter is to be a place where the creative energy of artists, musicians and dreamers will meet the entrepreneurial spirit of dynamic start-ups. We see it being inclusive in design and opportunity, compassionate and rooted in the community that it serves. This is a place where innovations can be tested, risks taken and new voyages launched.”
Key takeaway
Sustainable regeneration is most effective when an area’s key assets and people are brought together behind a bold and dynamic vision for the future. A focused, collaborative and action-orientated partnership can then help turn that vision into action.
What could a shared vision achieve for your place?
Talk to us about bringing people, organisations and ideas together around a common purpose.