BirkenEd’s Place,
Wirral Council
Commissioned by Wirral Council, PLACED created BirkenEd’s Place as a welcoming community hub in the heart of Birkenhead. As the town is expected to go through major transformation as part of the Birkenhead 2040 Framework, the space was designed to put local people at the centre – making sure they had real opportunities to understand, shape and influence what happens next. From November 2022 to October 2023, BirkenEd’s Place opened its doors to thousands of residents, workers and visitors offering an open invitation to explore the future of the town, have meaningful conversations, and share ideas in an accessible, down-to-earth setting.
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We turned a high street unit into a creative, welcoming space where anyone could pop in to learn what’s happening in Birkenhead, and have their say. Open four days a week, it became a familiar fixture in the town centre, hosting 59 free events including walking tours, art workshops and school visits. By bringing together key projects like the Dock Branch Neighbourhood Masterplan and Birkenhead Waterfront in one space, we made it easier for people to explore plans, ask questions and share ideas in a way that worked for them.
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Over 4,000 people visited BirkenEd’s Place - more than half had never taken part in anything like it before. Many said they'd never felt able to until now. Once inside the space, 92% felt able to share their views, 98% found the activities clear and easy to understand, and 98% enjoyed spending time in the space.
Insights and feedback directly shaped the next stage of each project, with reports feeding into design teams and decision-makers.
“The staff were very helpful and willing to engage”