THE team behind the proposed Birkenhead Business Improvement District is to pay for extra policing in an effort to encourage businesses in the area to take advantage of one of the town’s finest landmarks.

Every weekday lunchtime, between July 6 and July 31, Birkenhead BID will fund a police patrol of Hamilton Square to reassure both local businesses and the wider community that the area is safe and secure.

Paula Basnett, chief executive of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, explained, “Through our consultations with local businesses there is a perception there is a need to manage street activity in and around Hamilton Square, especially during the summer months when people should be able to take advantage of the area at lunchtime.

"To boost confidence during July we will be supporting a police patrol in the area and their presence should encourage both businesses and visitors to enjoy this fantastic and historic square. ”

Carl Critchlow, BID co-ordinator, said: “The police patrol and supporting music events will bring reassurance to local businesses and help breathe some life back into one of the town’s most prestigious locations.

"We are also aware that there may well be wider social implications for people who use the square so we will be engaging with the local hostels and associated organisations.”

To support the patrol the BID will be hosting the ‘Summer Sessions’, a series of acoustic performances by artists such as Gary Murphy and Caroline England which will take place every Friday lunchtime between 12pm and 2pm on Hamilton Square from July 10.

  • A Business Improvement District or BID is an initiative which brings businesses together to fund improvements to their local environment.
  • In June the BID funded a weeklong clean up of the Charing Cross area which collected 150 bags of rubbish, several van loads of larger items and removed overgrown plants and graffiti.