"Birkenhead is up-and-coming, it seems crazy to me that more people don't want to live here," says Nicola Honey.
It's just gone lunch time and the co-director of virtual reality development company Scenegraph Studios is sat outside her studio in Birkenhead's Start Yard. Nicola's pet dog Pickle barks at her heels, while the 36-year-old's business partner pores over an Apple Mac inside the shipping container which they use as an office.
Nicola, from Bebington, moved into Start Yard in November 2021 after seeing the potential of the space. Within walking distance of Hamilton Square train station and a stone's throw from the Mersey, Nicola says she has noticed the area change even in the short time since she has been there.
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"Since we moved into the unit the connections we've made are really good," she tells the ECHO. "The area around us is changing massively. Buildings are being renovated and new businesses and flats are popping up.
"There's similarities with the Baltic Triangle. Where we are now feels like what that did 10 years ago. But the house prices still feel cheaper than in a lot of places in Merseyside. I can't understand why more people don't want to come here.
"If you're on this side you have the most incredible view looking out over the Liverpool skyline. The transport links are incredible as well. You're one stop away from Liverpool on the train, or you're a short journey through the tunnel on the bus or in the car. It seems crazy more people don't live here."
These points raised by Nicola could go someway to explaining what many would first view as a surprising piece of data. Last week the ECHO reported that research from Atlas Ceramics found Birkenhead's average property price had risen from around £110,000 in 2019 to just under £180,000 in 2022 - a 38.62% increase. This data, primarily sourced from Rightmove, led Atlas Ceramics to brand the Wirral town "the UK's fourth-most sought after 'dream home destination'".
This placed Birkenhead fourth among the UK's most sought after towns and cities, behind Slough, Watford and Southampton. Manchester was fifth on the list. According to Atlas Ceramics, the town saw a 125% three-year increase in the volume of Google searches for house prices in the area.
The steep rise in property prices "can only be a positive thing", says Chris Lee. The founder of Start Yard, the innovative hub of creative and tech start ups where Nicola's business is, is one of a number of people who saw potential in the town's abandoned warehouses.
Chris, who is originally from Old Swan, saw this area as a focal point to kick start Birkenhead's revival. "I can only think the house prices have increased like that because of all that's been happening in the area," Chris tells the ECHO. "We wanted to create a biosphere to encourage more people to move to the area. People want good places to eat, good nightlife and job opportunities. We're seeing more of those here."
The Start Yard founder previously worked in the Baltic Triangle. But he moved to the area of Birkenhead Start Yard calls home because the Baltic was "saturated". "Birkenhead is what the Baltic was at the start," Chris adds. "The Baltic took 14 years. I think Birkenhead can do it in seven.
"The town is a logical move for a lot of people. It's amazing where we are because we have three stations and the ferry within walking distance. It's an excellent place that ticks a lot of boxes. There's so much more potential that can continue."
Big things have been promised in Birkenhead and the town is subject to significant regeneration plans, with Wirral Council branding it "the biggest change for the town since 1947". The plans include transforming Woodside Ferry Terminal, Hamilton Square, the town centre and its famous but tired market. The council's scheme for the town will also see 21,000 homes built.
If the waterfront and its stunning view of Liverpool represents the potential of a new Birkenhead, the market represents the old. While the potential of regeneration in Birkenhead may go some way to explaining the rise in property prices in the town, there are obvious concerns about the struggling market and town centre.
In the market, Kevin Goodman is busying himself at his stall, moving piles of trousers and hangered shirts into more prominent positions. The 63-year-old, who commutes to the town every day from Chester, reacts with notable surprise at the sharp rise in housing prices.
"I'm amazed by that figure," he tells the ECHO. "It shows there must be something pulling people to the area. I know someone who lives in New Brighton who said Wallasey has seen one of the biggest increases so there could be some truth to it."
In recent years, the ECHO has reported homes on the Wirral peninsula were being snapped up within hours, both to rent and to buy. In May 2021, Wallasey was named a 'property hotspot', with prices jumping by almost £24,000 from 2020 to 2021.
Like Chris and Nicola, Kevin points to the accessibility of good public transport as a potential reason for the property boom. Kevin, who was born in West Derby before moving across the water, points to the the north-east area of Liverpool as a prime example of poor public transport.
"Good public transport means you're open to all areas," he says. "It gives you a wider scope of choice if there's good transport and that's what you have here in Birkenhead." But Kevin fears for the future of the town centre and the effect this would have on the area's potential pull for new buyers.
"There's been decline in the area, but it's representative of all town centres," he explains. "People shop online or in supermarkets where they can do their shopping in one go. Retail has just got really difficult. I fear there's not enough in the area to keep bringing people in."
Outside the market, a small number of people go about their day. "I would have thought Wallasey would be more of a growth area," says 40-year-old Dave. The bearded man, wearing a hoodie and only wanting to be known by his first name, adds: "The property market is a bit strange.
"Inflation has probably driven up prices, but potentially it comes down to private landlords and investors. They look at the houses in the area and see opportunity to buy and then rent out the house. That drives up the house prices for people here. Birkenhead is still affordable compared to other areas."
The affordability of the area despite the rises, the potential of developments in the town and property boom in Wirral appear to be helping increase the town's draw.
Speaking in regard to the plans for the town, Wirral Council's leader Janette Williamson says: "Birkenhead and the surrounding area is on the cusp of real and important changes which we are determined to make sure these benefit as many local people as possible and that they reflect their hopes and ambitions for their town. This is the culmination of many years of hard work and vision by politicians and officers."
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