Fire damaged town hall could become health centre

The site of a town hall which was severely damaged in a fire could be turned into a long-awaited new health centre, an MP has said.

Sefton MP Bill Esterson said he was backing plans being developed by NHS leaders at Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) to transform the Maghull Town Hall site into a new NHS Neighbourhood Health Centre.

Esterson said Maghull Town Council had been considering the future of the town hall and adjoining land following the fire in February 2025.

The ICB has been approached for comment.

Esterson said he had discussed plans with Cheshire and Merseyside ICB chief executive Liz Bishop and her team and senior NHS managers had visited the site and met town council representatives.

At the town council meeting on Wednesday, it was agreed that council officers would continue these discussions with the ICB, he said.

The MP said he had campaigned for improved health facilities in Maghull for many years and "we now have a real opportunity to make it happen".

"The funding is available, the NHS is developing the business plan and the Town Hall site is an excellent possible location, especially given the leisure centre next door and the link between health and physical activity," he said.

A new health centre for Maghull is one of four priority schemes identified by Cheshire and Merseyside ICB.

Neighbourhood Health Centres are designed to bring health and community services together under one roof, with improved facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental health conditions closer to home.

The government has committed to delivering 250 neighbourhood health centres across England by 2035, including 120 by 2030, as part of its 10-year health plan.

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