"BIRKENHEAD is the most improved town in the North of England!" So says Merseyside Development Corporation Chief Executive Chris Farrow.

He was commenting on urban renewal in Wirral at the annual meeting of Wirral Methodist Housing Association, held at Conway Park, Birkenhead.

Mr Farrow went on to say that he was struck by the scale of change in new buildings, cleared sites, new facilities and the regeneration of Hamilton Square.

He found the new appearance of Market Street to be a 'joyous thing', and complimented the Wirral Methodist Housing Association on its ongoing active role in the Hamilton Quarter.

Programmes of renewal are also in place for Lairdside and Wallasey and the 'brilliant' co-operation of Wirral Borough Council and involved organisations. It is hoped that by the winding-up of MDC next March, over 7,000 jobs will have been created in Birkenhead and £131m private sector investment made.

The detailed work in the Hamilton Quarter is currently exercising Wirral Methodist Housing Association in restoring derelict and dilapidated buildings as commercial premises with flats above, said the association's chief executive Alun Hughes.

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