In December 2020, Merseyside Expanding Horizons (MEH) successfully opened our Big Onion Bootle initiative. Spanning over 7000 sq ft. of once empty commercial retail space in Bootle Strand. 

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The hub has been totally redesigned to incorporate:

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• 20 lettable self-contained trader units including a coffee shop

• A training room

• Kitchen

• Meeting rooms

• Accessible toilet

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From this vibrant space we deliver a comprehensive range of services and support designed to enable local people to improve their skills and become more economically and socially independent.

Primarily these services cover:

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1. Skills Training Programmes

2. Employment Support & Guidance Services

3. Business Start-up & Social Enterprise Support Services

4. Community Development & Volunteering Support

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In addition, The Big Onion plays an active part in the life of the Strand Shopping Centre regularly delivering special events including employment fairs, a monthly artisan market, an annual ComicCon and even regular live music.

We are acutely aware of the challenges facing the community we serve and of the impact locally of the declining high street and are committed to being an agent for change creating new opportunities and ‘being part of the recovery’.