View source for Kirkby

{{Short description|Town in Merseyside, England}}
{{About|the town in Merseyside|||}}
{{distinguish|Kirby||West Kirby}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| type                     = Town
| static_image_name        = St Chad's Church, Kirkby2.jpg
| static_image_caption     = [[St Chad's Church, Kirkby|St Chad's Church]], Kirkby's [[parish church]]
| country                  = England
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.48|-2.89|display=inline,title}}
| map_type                 = Merseyside
| official_name            = Kirkby
| population               = 45,564
| population_ref           = ([[United Kingdom Census 2021|2021 Census]])
| metropolitan_borough     = [[Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley|Knowsley]]
| metropolitan_county      = [[Merseyside]]
| region                   = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Knowsley (UK Parliament constituency)|Knowsley]]
| post_town                = LIVERPOOL
| postcode_district        = L10, L32, L33
| postcode_area            = L
| dial_code                = 0151
| os_grid_reference        = SJ409988
| london_distance          = {{convert|180|mi|km|0}} [[Boxing the compass|SE]]
}}
'''Kirkby''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-uk-Kirkby.ogg|ˈ|k|ɝː|b|i}} {{respell|KUR|bee}}) is a town in the [[Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley]], [[Merseyside]], England. The town, [[Historic counties of England|historically]] in [[Lancashire]], has a size of {{convert|4070|acre|km2}} is {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} north of [[Huyton]] and {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} north-east of Liverpool. The population in 2016 was 41,495 making it the largest in Knowsley and the [[List of settlements in Merseyside by population|9th biggest settlement in Merseyside]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Kirkby Profile |url=http://knowsleyknowledge.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Kirkby-Profile_010518.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214230417/http://knowsleyknowledge.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Kirkby-Profile_010518.pdf |archive-date=14 December 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref>

Evidence of [[Bronze Age]] activity has been noted though the first direct evidence of a settlement dates to 1086 via the [[Domesday Book]]. The town was mainly farmland until the mid-20th century until the construction of [[ROF Kirkby]], the largest Royal Ordnance Factory filling munitions, during the [[World War II|Second World War]];<ref name="LVOL">{{cite book|last=Whale|first=Derek|title=Lost Villages of Liverpool - Part Three|date=1984|publisher=T Stephenson & Sons Ltd|isbn=0-901314-26-9|location=Prescot, Merseyside|pages=40}}</ref> Kirkby's urban development happened in the post-war period.

In November 2020, [[Liverpool F.C.]] relocated its training facilities from the [[Melwood]] site in [[West Derby]], to the town following the completion of the new [[Liverpool Training Centre|training centre]].<ref name="LiverpoolTrainingGround">{{Cite web |title=Liverpool open doors to AXA Training Centre as Jurgen Klopp hails 'perfect' £50m base |date=17 November 2020 |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-new-training-ground-breaking-19293054}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Entrance to Kirkby Market - geograph.org.uk - 345576.jpg|thumb|alt=White arch reading Market Square|Entrance to Kirkby Market]]
Archaeological evidence of [[Bronze Age Britain|Bronze Age]] settlement indicates that Kirkby was founded around 870 AD.<ref name="bronzeage">{{Cite web |title=What's in a name: Kirkby |url=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/exhibitions/magical/placenames/kirkby.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107183518/http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/exhibitions/magical/placenames/kirkby.asp |archive-date=7 January 2008 |access-date=24 October 2007 |website=[[National Museums Liverpool]]}}</ref>
[[Historic counties of England|Historically]], it has been part of [[Lancashire]].<ref name="timeline">{{Cite web |title=Kirkby Timeline |url=http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/information/print_text.msql?name=Kirkby&ref=kbtime |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814123544/http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/information/print_text.msql?name=Kirkby&ref=kbtime |archive-date=14 August 2007 |access-date=24 October 2007 |website=[[Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley]]}}</ref> [[Kirk]]-by derives from the [[Northumbrian Old English|Northern dialect of Old English]] word ''Kirk'' ('church') and ''by'' (settlement or village; cognate with Old Norse ''byr''). Settlers arrived via Ireland around 900. The first direct evidence of a settlement dates from 1086 and the [[Domesday Book]], with a reference to "Cherchebi" (population 70).<ref name="timeline" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The National Archives – Document Search for "Cherchebi, Knowsley" |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7581709&queryType=1&resultcount=50 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926224943/http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7581709&queryType=1&resultcount=50 |archive-date=26 September 2007 |access-date=24 October 2007 |website=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]}}</ref> Ownership of present-day Kirkby (established as the [[West Derby (hundred)|West Derby hundred]] in the 11th century) passed through a number of hands until 1596, when the Molyneux family purchased the [[Hundred (county division)|hundred]]. After a brief loss of patronage in 1737 (when the head of the family took [[holy orders]]), in 1771, [[Charles Molyneux, 1st Earl of Sefton|Charles Molyneux]] became the 1st Earl of Sefton and regained the land.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History - Kirkby|url=http://archives.knowsley.gov.uk/kirkby/history-of-kirkby/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Knowsley Local History|date=20 January 2018 |language=en-GB|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929223810/http://archives.knowsley.gov.uk/kirkby/history-of-kirkby/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:The Smith Memorial Garden, Kirkby.jpg|thumb|alt=Green space with benches|The Smith Memorial Garden, commemorating the first parish priest]]
Although it remained largely farmland until the mid-20th century, transport links to the region began in 1848 with the building of the [[Liverpool and Bury Railway]] through Kirkby.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool and Bury Railway - Graces Guide|url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Liverpool_and_Bury_Railway|access-date=2022-02-21|website=www.gracesguide.co.uk|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803181732/https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Liverpool_and_Bury_Railway|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[A580 road|East Lancashire Road]] (the A580) added a road connection in 1935,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/historichighways/eastlancs/index.asp|title=Early Highways Liverpool-East Lancashire Road A580|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=29 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229070048/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/historichighways/eastlancs/index.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> and industrial development was considered before the [[Second World War]]. [[ROF Kirkby]], a [[Royal Ordnance Factory]], was established in 1939 and completed in 1941. At its peak, the factory employed over 20,000 workers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Knowsley Local History: Kirkby Royal Ordnance Factory. Archived copy|url=http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/show_photo.msql?reference=KB98&from=time&bt=KBtime5|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173449/http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/show_photo.msql?reference=KB98&from=time&bt=KBtime5|url-status=live}}</ref>

Liverpool had [[Liverpool Blitz|received much damage]] by the end of the war, and much of the remaining housing stock were [[slum]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spirit of the Blitz|url=https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/merseyside-maritime-museum/exhibition/spirit-of-blitz|access-date=2022-02-21|website=National Museums Liverpool|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220111003/https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/merseyside-maritime-museum/exhibition/spirit-of-blitz|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Liverpool Corporation]] began a policy of buying land in surrounding areas and moving industry (and people) to newly developed "overspill" estates. This process culminated with the purchase of {{convert|4070|acre|km2}} of land, including Kirkby, from the [[Earl of Sefton]] in 1947 for £375,000 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|375000|1947}}|0}} adjusted for inflation{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}). Kirkby became [[Merseyside]]'s largest over-spill estates. A 1949 Liverpool proposal to have Kirkby designated a [[new town]] was rejected.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ravetz |first=Alison |title=Council Housing and Culture: The History of a Social Experiment |publisher=Routledge |year=2001 |isbn=0-415-23945-1 |page=101}}</ref> Large-scale development began in February 1950 with the construction of the Southdene neighbourhood; the first houses were finished in 1952, the 5,000th in 1956, and the 10,000th in 1961. A population of 3,000 in 1951 grew to over 52,000 by 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A vision of Britain through time |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10368900&c_id=10001043&add=N |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022173144/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10368900&c_id=10001043&add=N |archive-date=22 October 2012 |access-date=1 June 2008 |website=A Vision of Britain Through Time |publisher=[[Great Britain Historical GIS]]}}</ref> The [[Kirkby Urban District]] was created in 1958. Its population grew between the 1950s and the 1970s due to over-spill housing for [[Liverpool]].

Growth caused a number of problems, including a lack of local amenities. Although occupation of Southdene's [[Public housing in the United Kingdom#Council housing estates|council estates]] had begun in 1952, its first shops were not completed until 1955 and its first [[pub]] did not open until 1959. The people who were being moved into Kirkby during this period came from Liverpool's poorest areas. Kirkby Industrial Estate expanded to become one of England's largest; at its peak in 1971, the estate employed over 26,000 people.

Kirkby became an [[Districts of England|Urban District]] in 1958. This status was later abolished, and on 1 April 1974 Kirkby was combined with [[Huyton with Roby Urban District|Huyton with Roby]] and [[Prescot Urban District]] and parts of [[Whiston Rural District|Whiston]] and [[West Lancashire Rural District]]s to form the [[Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley]].<ref>Arnold-Baker, C., ''Local Government Act 1972'', (1973)</ref>

{{anchor|Governance}}

==Government==
Kirkby has been represented in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] as part of the [[Knowsley (UK Parliament constituency)|Knowsley]] constituency since 2010. The town has been represented by [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] MP [[Anneliese Midgley]] since 2024. She was preceded by [[George Howarth]] (Labour, 1986–2024), [[Robert Kilroy-Silk]] (Labour, 1974–1986), [[Harold Soref]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]], 1970–1974) and [[Harold Wilson]] (Labour, 1950–1970).

Kirkby is divided into four districts: Southdene, Westvale, Northwood and Tower Hill. Its [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral wards]], which do not coincide with the districts, are Cherryfield, Kirkby Central, Northwood, Park, Shevington and Whitefield. Kirkby's 18 local councillors belong to the Labour Party, and often run unopposed.

==Geography==
Kirkby is {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} north-east of Liverpool, in Merseyside in [[North West England]]. It is {{convert|180|mi|km|0}} north-west of London and {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} north-west of Huyton, the borough administrative headquarters. The [[River Alt]] flows through the town's extreme south-west, with the Kirkby Brook [[tributary]] passing through its centre.

===Climate===
Due to its position near England's north-west coast, Kirkby has a [[temperate]] [[maritime climate]]; its [[Köppen climate classification]] is Cfb. Its mean annual temperature of {{convert|10.2|°C}}<ref name="weatherchannel">{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Annual Climatology for Kirkby, 30 year |url=http://uk.weather.com/climate/annualClimo-Kirkby-UKXX0873 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520213256/http://uk.weather.com/climate/annualClimo-Kirkby-UKXX0873 |archive-date=20 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2008 |website=[[The Weather Channel]] }}</ref> is similar to that throughout the [[River Mersey|Mersey]] basin and slightly cooler than the English average. The annual average sunshine duration, 1394.6&nbsp;hours,<ref name="MetOffice">{{Cite web |date=2006 |title=Manchester Airport climate averages, 1971–2000 |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/manchester_airport.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929103050/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/manchester_airport.html |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=29 May 2008 |website=[[Met Office]] }}</ref> is slightly higher than the UK average of 1339.7.<ref name="MetOffice2">{{Cite web |date=2006 |title=UK climate averages, 1971–2000 |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705140124/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |archive-date=5 July 2009 |access-date=30 May 2008 |website=Met Office }}</ref> January is the coldest month, with an average mean temperature of {{convert|4.7|°C}};<ref name="weatherchannel" /> July is the hottest, at {{convert|16.7|°C}}.<ref name="weatherchannel" /> Rainfall, {{convert|806.6|mm|in}}, is slightly lower than the England average of {{convert|838|mm}} and much lower than the UK average of {{convert|1,125.5|mm|in}}.<ref name="MetOffice2" /> October is the wettest month, with an average rainfall of {{convert|86|mm|in}}; April is the driest, with {{convert|49.1|mm|in}} of rain.<ref name="MetOffice" /> The nearest [[Met Office]] weather station is at [[Manchester Airport]].

{{Weather box
|location= Kirkby and the Liverpool area
|single line = yes
|metric first=yes
| Jan high C = 6.8
| Feb high C = 6.6
| Mar high C = 9.3
| Apr high C = 11.8
| May high C = 15.4
| Jun high C = 17.8
| Jul high C = 20.3
| Aug high C = 19.2
| Sep high C = 16.8
| Oct high C = 12.8
| Nov high C = 9.2
| Dec high C = 7.8
| year high C = 12.8
|Jan mean C=4.7
|Feb mean C=4.37
|Mar mean C=6.6
|Apr mean C=8.4
|May mean C=11.7
|Jun mean C=14.3
|Jul mean C=16.7
|Aug mean C=16.2
|Sep mean C=13.8
|Oct mean C=10.6
|Nov mean C=7.1
|Dec mean C=5.9
|year mean C=10.2
|Jan low C=2
|Feb low C=2.2
|Mar low C=3.2
|Apr low C=4.4
|May low C=6.4
|Jun low C=10.5
|Jul low C=12.7
|Aug low C=12.2
|Sep low C=10
|Oct low C=7.2
|Nov low C=4.4
|Dec low C=3
|year low C=6.5
|Jan rain mm=71.5
|Feb rain mm=51.8
|Mar rain mm=64
|Apr rain mm=49.1
|May rain mm=53.8
|Jun rain mm=66.8
|Jul rain mm=59.5
|Aug rain mm=70.9
|Sep rain mm=69.9
|Oct rain mm=86
|Nov rain mm=81.9
|Dec rain mm=81.4
|year rain mm=806.6
|Jan sun=49.6
|Feb sun=67
|Mar sun=95.2
|Apr sun=138.9
|May sun=188.8
|Jun sun=172.5
|Jul sun=183.8
|Aug sun=170.5
|Sep sun=127.2
|Oct sun=97.7
|Nov sun=60.6
|Dec sun=42.8
|year sun=1394.6

|source 1=[http://uk.weather.com The Weather Channel] (Temperature Data)<ref name="weatherchannel" />
|source 2=[http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Met Office] (Sunshine and Rainfall Data)<ref name="MetOffice" />
}}
{{anchor|Demography}}

==Demographics==
Kirkby's population was 42,744 in the 2011 census.<ref name="knowsley.gov.uk">{{Cite web |title=Census profile |url=http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/your-council/about-your-council/census-profile.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622063246/http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/your-council/about-your-council/census-profile.aspx |archive-date=22 June 2013 |website=Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council}}</ref> This was just over a quarter of the total population of the borough of Knowsley and was down from its peak of 52,207 in the 1961 census, largely due to a falling birth rate and the slow decline of the industrial estate. Housing demand has increased, however, with significant developments built across the town. Part of the demand may be attributed to a need for replacement housing stock due to the demolition of [[High-rise building|high-rise flats]] and [[Apartment#Maisonette|maisonettes]], built during the 1960s and now in disrepair.

According to [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]] statistics, the borough of Knowsley (including Kirkby) had a population of 145,900 in the 2011 census and a gender balance of 52.6&nbsp;per cent female to 47.4 per cent male.<ref name="knowsley.gov.uk" /> This is down from 150,459 in the 2001 census.<ref name="knowsley.gov.uk" /> The borough has a [[White people|white population]] of 98.42 per cent, compared with the national average of 90.9 per cent. Other ethnic groups are [[multiracial]] (0.83 per cent), Chinese (0.24 per cent), other Asian (0.23 per cent) and Black (0.22 per cent). A large proportion of the population is of Irish Catholic descent as a result of immigration into Liverpool.

The borough is mostly [[Christians|Christian]] (85.63 per cent),<ref>{{cite web|title=Religion in England and Wales 2011|url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rpt-religion.html|publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]]|access-date=22 February 2022|archive-date=26 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126035607/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rpt-religion.html|url-status=live}}</ref> compared to the national average of 71.74 per cent. The next-largest group (5.84 per cent) describe themselves as non-religious, significantly lower than the national average of 14.59 per cent. [[Muslims]], [[Hindus]], [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] and [[Jews]] are 0.17, 0.11, 0.07 and 0.03 per cent of the population.
{{anchor|Population change}}

===Population changes===
Kirkby's population was on a gradual downward trend from 1861 to 1931 before it rose when the Liverpool Corporation began to develop the region. Its annual growth rate from 1951 to 1961 was over 30&nbsp;per cent, making it England's fastest-growing town by far. Kirkby's population peaked in 1971 at 59,917, before declining. The town's population has again begun to increase.<ref name="knowsleyprofile">{{Cite web |title=Knowsley Profile |url=http://www.knowsley.nhs.uk/library/documents/knowsleyoutline.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112130906/http://www.knowsley.nhs.uk/library/documents/knowsleyoutline.pdf |archive-date=12 November 2008 |access-date=1 June 2008 |website=Knowsley Public Health Intelligence Team |publisher=Knowsley NHS Primary Care Trust}}</ref>
{{historical populations|align=none
|cols=3
|percentages = pagr
|1861|1,451
|1871|1,397
|1881|1,401
|1891|1,283
|1911|1,211
|1921|1,116
|1931|1,151
|1951|3,078
|1961|52,088
|1971|59,917
|2001|40,472
|2006|44,120
|2011|42,744
|2016|41,495
|||source = ''A Vision of Britain through Time''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirkby Ch/CP: Total Population |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10368900&c_id=10001043&add=N |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022173144/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10368900&c_id=10001043&add=N |archive-date=22 October 2012 |access-date=1 June 2008 |website=A Vision of Britain Through Time |publisher=[[Great Britain Historical GIS]]}}</ref>

"Knowsley Kirkby Profile"<ref name="auto1" />}}
{{anchor|Economic output}}

==Economy==
[[File:Kirkby Health Suite.jpg|thumb|alt=Large, square modern building|Kirkby Health Suite]]
Kirkby Industrial Estate, formerly [[ROF Kirkby]], is still a large employer. The town's industrial heritage, however, has largely faded away as service industries replace factories. Major employers include [[QVC (British TV channel)|QVC]] and [[Barclaycard]], and several [[call centre]] companies are based in Kirkby.

==={{anchor|Regeneration efforts}}Regeneration===
[[File:Flats in Southdene, Kirkby.jpg|thumb|alt=High-rise buildings behind green space|High-rise flats in Southdene]]
[[File:Kirkby Town Centre - geograph.org.uk - 122465.jpg|thumb|alt=Modern town square with trees and benches|Kirkby Town Centre]]
Kirkby has seen regeneration efforts. The Kirkby Sports Centre, one of the region's main [[velodrome]]s and athletic centres, was replaced in 2007 by a leisure facility without a track. Several new stores have opened.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 January 2020|title=Groundbreaking celebration in Kirkby town centre|url=https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/groundbreaking-celebration-in-kirkby-town-centre/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814052615/https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/groundbreaking-celebration-in-kirkby-town-centre/|archive-date=14 August 2020|access-date=30 January 2020|website=Knowsley News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Melling|first=Gemma|date=2020-12-16|title=Taco Bell is coming to Kirkby Town Centre|url=https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/taco-bell-is-coming-to-kirkby-town-centre/|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Knowsley News|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222195330/https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/taco-bell-is-coming-to-kirkby-town-centre/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-13|title=Morrisons opening date in Kirkby Town Centre confirmed|url=https://www.explore-liverpool.com/morrisons-opening-date-in-kirkby-town-centre-confirmed/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018103713/https://www.explore-liverpool.com/morrisons-opening-date-in-kirkby-town-centre-confirmed/|archive-date=18 October 2021|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Explore Liverpool|language=en-GB}}</ref>

The regeneration began in December 2006, when a proposal was made by [[Tesco]] and [[Everton F.C.]] for redevelopment of the town centre which included a 50,000-seat [[Association football|football]] stadium and retail outlets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Proposals for Kirkby town centre |url=http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/kirkby/kirkby_proposals.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102053408/http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/kirkby/kirkby_proposals.html |archive-date=2 January 2008 |access-date=24 October 2007 |website=Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley}}</ref> The proposal was known as [[The Kirkby Project]]. Kirkby Market was redeveloped, and reopened on 26 April 2014.<ref name="ReferenceA">http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/news-items/kirkby-market-gets-ready-to-open{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2015, the town centre owned by Tesco was bought by [[St. Modwen Properties]] for £35.8 million. St Modwen announced their plans for the regeneration of the town centre, including a cinema, a supermarket, parking, and leisure development.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Connor |date=21 October 2016 |title=Two supermarkets battle to be part of Kirkby town centre regeneration |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/two-supermarkets-battle-part-kirkby-12056677 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153801/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/two-supermarkets-battle-part-kirkby-12056677 |archive-date=3 December 2017 |access-date=2 December 2017 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> This led to reports that two supermarkets were competing to build a store; it was rumoured that one of the stores was [[ASDA]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Belger |first=Tom |date=28 February 2017 |title=Asda set to come to Kirkby after town's 40-year wait for supermarket |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/asda-set-come-kirkby-after-12670912 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214230409/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/asda-set-come-kirkby-after-12670912 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> A public hearing was held for local businesses, shopkeepers and residents in October 2016. St, Modwen submitted a revised application for the town-centre scheme to include food-store anchor [[Morrisons]], who submitted the winning bid.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Development &#124; Kirkby Shopping Centre |url=https://www.kirkbytowncentre.com/development.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531174659/http://kirkbytowncentre.com/development.htm |archive-date=31 May 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020 |website=www.kirkbytowncentre.com}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tesco regeneration plans}}

====Tesco plans====
Reports suggested that local support for the Tesco/Everton F.C. scheme appeared to be tempered by concern about the stadium's effect on residents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your Kirkby Your Future – Consultation Results |url=http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/219480/consultationresults_summer2007.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108121834/http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/219480/consultationresults_summer2007.pdf |archive-date=8 January 2009 |access-date=4 October 2007 |website=Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley}}</ref> In 2012, the Knowsley council decided to invest £5 million to replace the multi-purpose Kirkby Civic Suite with the Kirkby Centre. The centre would include a library, a gallery and a local-history archive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirkby Centre &#124; Knowsley Council |url=https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/residents/regenerate-knowsley/kirkby/the-kirkby-centre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415044722/https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/residents/regenerate-knowsley/kirkby/the-kirkby-centre |archive-date=15 April 2020 |access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref>
{{anchor|St Modwen regeneration plans}}

====St. Modwen plans====
After the collapse of Tesco's plans for Kirkby Town Centre, regeneration halted until St. Modwen Properties acquired the town centre in October 2015. St. Modwen planned a multi-million-pound retail-led regeneration in partnership with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. They planned to develop and expand the retail centre, complementing Tesco's existing offer and providing housing on a 65-acre site the town centre.<ref name="TownCentreNews">{{Cite web |title=News &#124; Kirkby Shopping Centre |url=https://www.kirkbytowncentre.com/news.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531174726/http://kirkbytowncentre.com/news.htm |archive-date=31 May 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020 |website=www.kirkbytowncentre.com}}</ref> Refurbishment began in June 2016, and was planned to take eight weeks.<ref name="TownCentreNews" /> In October, St. Modwen announced 24 November as the date for Kirkby's Christmas lights switch-on.<ref name="TownCentreNews" />

[[Costa Coffee]] agreed in February 2017 to open a store in the town centre.<ref name="TownCentreNews" /> In September, St. Modwen confirmed that [[Morrisons]] would open a 45,000-square-foot supermarket in the town centre.<ref name="TownCentreNews" /> The following month, St. Modwen held an information event with the community about their proposed plans. According to the company, work would begin in 2018 and end in 2019. The planning application was granted in November 2019.<ref name="TownCentreNews" /> In June 2018, St. Modwen reported that [[Home Bargains]] and fast food restaurant [[KFC]] would open in the town centre.<ref name="TownCentreNews" />
{{anchor|Recent regeneration plans}}

====Council intervention====
When the promised development was delayed, Knowsley council leader Graham Morgan said: "Despite our best efforts, the redevelopment of the town centre still hasn't happened and it's quite clear that we need to find a different model. The people of Kirkby deserve more than this. We have worked closely to encourage St. Modwen to push on with their plans but, despite major names already being signed up, they remain extremely cautious and have still not confirmed a start date. We have waited too long and it's time to move on."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyrrell |first=Nick |date=24 May 2019 |title=Knowsley Council set to buy Kirkby town centre in regeneration bid |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/knowsley-council-set-try-buy-16322748 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830141405/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/knowsley-council-set-try-buy-16322748 |archive-date=30 August 2019 |access-date=30 August 2019 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyrrell |first=Nick |date=24 May 2019 |title=Shops, bars and a cinema - what could Kirkby's town centre actually look like? |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/how-could-kirkby-town-centre-16325495 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830141405/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/how-could-kirkby-town-centre-16325495 |archive-date=30 August 2019 |access-date=30 August 2019 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> The council's cabinet endorsed a plan for the council to purchase St. Modwen's holdings in Kirkby Town Centre, including the shopping centre and the Knowsley College site on Cherryfield Drive. The college plans to move to the town centre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melling |first=Gemma |date=22 November 2019 |title=For the record: Kirkby town centre purchase |url=https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/for-the-record-kirkby-town-centre-purchase/ |website=Knowsley News |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119044410/https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/for-the-record-kirkby-town-centre-purchase/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:M57 at Kirkby - geograph.org.uk - 1955755.jpg|thumb|alt=A curved, four-lane highway|The M57 motorway near Kirkby]]
[[File:Kirkby station - geograph.org.uk - 1955740.jpg|thumb|alt=The Platform of Kirkby Railway Station, seen from above|[[Kirkby railway station|Kirkby Railway Station]]|222x222px]]
[[File:Kirkby bus station, Merseyside (1).jpg|thumb|alt=Outdoor bus station, with covered waiting areas|Bus station]]

===Road===
The main motorways that connect the town are the [[M57 motorway]], which runs adjacent to the town, and [[M58 motorway]], which connects just north of the town. However, the town also has other major roads that connect it, such as [[East Lancashire Road]] and the [[A506 road|A506]].

===Rail===
Alongside road connections, Kirkby also has a few rail links, with [[Kirkby railway station]] and [[Headbolt Lane railway station]] offering frequent trains to Liverpool, and Headbolt Lane offering an hourly service to Wigan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Network Map |url=https://www.merseyrail.org/journey-planning/plan-your-journey/network-map/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=www.merseyrail.org |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Buses===
Buses in the town and the wider region are managed by [[Merseytravel]], are run by several different companies, mainly [[Arriva North West]] and [[Stagecoach North West]].
{{anchor|Further education}}

==Education==
[[File:Knowsley Community College, Kirkby.jpg|thumb|alt=Large building with a locked gate|Knowsley Community College]]
Primary secular, [[Church of England]], and Roman Catholic education is available. At the secondary level, secular and Roman Catholic education is available. Educational services are provided or monitored by the Knowsley [[local education authority]].

Kirkby has 11 primary schools; Northwood Community Primary School is the newest and largest. [[Kirkby High School]] and [[All Saints Catholic High School, Kirkby|All Saints Catholic High School]] were formed after the town's three secondary schools closed.<ref name="learningcentres-1">{{Cite web |title=Future Schooling in Knowsley - Executive Summary |url=http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/198530/future_schooling_exec_summary.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926144020/http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/198530/future_schooling_exec_summary.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2006 |access-date=24 October 2007 |website=Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley}}</ref> Ruffwood and Brookfield, due to merge in September 2009, merged a year early when Ruffwood was designated a failing school in an [[Ofsted]] report.<ref name="learningcentres-2">{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Ben |date=6 February 2008 |title=Failed school to shut year early |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/02/06/failed-school-to-shut-year-early-100252-20441568/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214230435/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/failed-school-shut-year-early-3492057 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |access-date=6 February 2008 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> After the shake-up, All Saints Catholic High School and the Kirkby Sports College Center for Learning emerged. On 1 September 2013, Kirkby Sports College became an academy and was relaunched as Kirkby High School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ofsted Report & Kirkby High School Results |url=http://kirkbyhighschool.net/about-us/ofsted-report-school-results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208150700/http://kirkbyhighschool.net/about-us/ofsted-report-school-results |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Kirkby High School}}</ref>

Higher education is provided by [[Knowsley Community College]], with its main campus in Kirkby Town Centre. The college has an annual intake of over 12,000.
{{anchor|Religious sites}}

==Houses of worship==
[[File:St Chad's Church, Kirkby - geograph.org.uk - 327561.jpg|thumb|alt=Church behind trees|St Chad's Church]]
[[File:St Marks, Kirkby - geograph.org.uk - 126126.jpg|thumb|alt=Roadside church with a black iron fence|St Marks Church]]
[[File:Westvale Chapel, Kirkby.jpg|thumb|alt=Modern church with a parking lot|Westvale Chapel]]
[[File:Kirkby Baptist Church, Merseyside.jpg|thumb|alt=Brick church with a lawn|Kirkby Baptist Church]]
[[St Chad's Church, Kirkby|St Chad's Church]], built during the 19th century on the site of a church noted in the Domesday Book, has graves of soldiers of both world wars.<ref>{{Cite web|last=CWGC|title=Kirkby (St. Chad) Churchyard {{!}} Cemetery Details|url=https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/40734/kirkby-st-chad-churchyard/|access-date=2021-12-23|website=CWGC|language=en|archive-date=21 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221230042/https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/40734/kirkby-st-chad-churchyard/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other churches are St Michael's and All Angels Roman Catholic Church; St Mark's, St Andrews and St Martin's Churches ([[Church of England]]), St Mary, Mother of God and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Churches, Kirkby Baptist Church, St Peter & Paul RC Church, Northwood Chapel, Kirkby Christian Fellowship, Lifegate Church and the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

==Sports and recreation==
Kirkby is home to the [[AXA Training Centre|training ground and youth academy]] of [[Liverpool F.C.]] The youth academy was built in 1998 on the site previously used for [[Knowsley United F.C.|Kirkby Town F.C.]]'s ground located on Simonswood Lane; the plans to move Liverpool F.C.'s full training ground to the same location were announced in 2018 and the move was completed during the international break in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reds announce AXA as Training Centre naming rights partner|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/training-ground/413275-reds-announce-axa-as-training-centre-naming-rights-partner|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Liverpool FC|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202162551/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/training-ground/413275-reds-announce-axa-as-training-centre-naming-rights-partner|url-status=live}}</ref> The town's former football club Kirkby Town,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Club History Database - Kirkby Town |url=https://www.fchd.info/KIRKBYT.HTM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043627/http://www.fchd.info/KIRKBYT.HTM |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Football Club History Database}}</ref> was later renamed Knowsley United and was dissolved in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Club History Database - Knowsley United |url=https://www.fchd.info/KNOWSLEU.HTM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162049/http://www.fchd.info/KNOWSLEU.HTM |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Football Club History Database}}</ref> The most widely supported football teams in Kirkby are Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C., reflecting the town's proximity to Liverpool and historically that a large proportion of the town's residents moved from Liverpool to the town after world war two.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Liverpool's slums transformed from squalor and hardship|date=23 April 2022 |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/gallery/how-liverpools-slums-transformed-squalor-23757561}}</ref>

During the 1970s, Kirkby was home to [[Kirkby Ski Slope|an artificial ski slope]]. Work started on the slope in 1973 and it was intended to open in 1975, however, the project was abandoned in autumn 1975 over fears it was not safe.<ref name="LE - Jan 2020">{{cite news |last1=Molyneux |first1=Jess |title=Merseyside's 'back to front' ski slope that nobody got to use |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/merseysides-back-front-ski-slope-17597070 |access-date=8 June 2024 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=27 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Investigations by the ''[[Liverpool Free Press]]'' revealed a considerable degree of corruption in the sourcing of materials and building of the slope.<ref name="Live Uni - LFP">{{cite web |title='News you're not supposed to know': Uncovering the birth of Liverpool Free Press 1971-77 - Department of History - University of Liverpool |url=https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/history/blog/2021/birth-liverpool-free-press/ |website=www.liverpool.ac.uk |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> Police investigations later led to a former council leader and former council architect being jailed over their involvement in the project.<ref name="LE - June 2006">{{cite news |last1=Mansey |first1=Kate |title=Downhill all of the way. - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Downhill+all+of+the+way.-a0141130928 |work=www.thefreelibrary.com |publisher=Liverpool Echo |date=3 June 2006}}</ref>

{{anchor|Public services}}

==Services==
Law enforcement is provided by [[Merseyside Police]], whose [[basic command unit]] in the borough of Knowsley has a Kirkby station on St Chad's Drive. Public transport is co-ordinated by [[Merseytravel]]. Fire and rescue services are provided by the [[Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service]], which has a Kirkby station on Webster Drive.

[[Waste management]] is co-ordinated by the [[Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority]]. Kirkby's [[distribution network operator]] for electricity is [[United Utilities]]; there are no power stations in the town. United Utilities also manages Kirkby's drinking and wastewater. [[Suez (company, 2015)|SUEZ]] Recycling & Recovery UK process Merseyside and Halton's waste at a rail loading transfer station in Kirkby. The waste is transported from Kirkby to [[Wilton, Redcar and Cleveland|Wilton]] in [[Teesside]] where it is used to generate electricity. Power generated at Wilton is sufficient to power every home in Knowsley.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

Kirkby is served by the Knowsley [[NHS primary care trust|PCT]], and [[Aintree University Hospital]] is the nearest hospital. The town has nine [[General practitioner|GP]] surgeries and four dental practices. Ambulance service is provided by the [[North West Ambulance Service]], with a station in Kirkby.

[[BT Group]]'s Simonswood [[telephone exchange|exchange]] provides local telephone and [[ADSL]] Internet service to the area,{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} with a number of other companies offering services through [[local-loop unbundling]]. [[Virgin Media]] services are also available to the town, providing television, telephone and [[cable Internet access]].

==Media==
The main local newspaper is the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]''. The ''Kirkby Extra'' and the ''Knowsley Challenge'' are free local newspapers. Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Merseyside]], [[Heart North West]], [[Capital Liverpool]], [[Hits Radio Liverpool]], [[Smooth North West]] and [[Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West]]. Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC North West]] and [[ITV Granada]], the local television station [[TalkLiverpool]] also broadcasts to the area. Television signals are received from the [[Winter Hill transmitting station|Winter Hill]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter|date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref>

==Filmography==
Kirkby and [[Seaforth, Merseyside|Seaforth]] were the bases for the fictional Newtown of the 1960s [[BBC TV]] series, ''[[Z-Cars]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2015 |title=Z Cars DVD box set launch: 9 fascinating facts about Merseyside cop show |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/z-cars-dvd-box-set-10318945 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153851/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/z-cars-dvd-box-set-10318945 |archive-date=3 December 2017 |access-date=2 December 2017 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref>

''Behind the Rent Strike'' is a 1974 documentary by [[Nick Broomfield]] documenting a 14-month rent strike in Kirkby by 3,000 social housing tenants protesting poor housing and [[History of rent control in England and Wales#Adjustments in 1971 to 1977|rent increases]] triggered by the Housing Finance Act of 1972.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Behind The Rent Strike - Nick Broomfield's Official Website |url=http://nickbroomfield.com/Behind-The-Rent-Strike |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819163856/http://nickbroomfield.com/Behind-The-Rent-Strike |archive-date=19 August 2018 |access-date=2 December 2017 |website=nickbroomfield.com}}</ref>

The 1985 film ''[[Letter to Brezhnev]]'' was shot in Liverpool, with scenes filmed in Kirkby. The film starred [[Margi Clarke]], who was born in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2015 |title=HOW WE MET - Arts and Entertainment - The Independent |website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-1253732.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164527/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-1253732.html |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>

==Notable people==
===Footballers===
* [[Dennis Mortimer]] - Captained Aston Villa to the 1982 European Cup final<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 November 2013 |title=True Blue Gerry Reflects On 'Golden' Times |url=http://www.wolvesheroes.com/2013/11/17/true-blue-gerry-reflects-on-golden-times/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208145554/http://www.wolvesheroes.com/2013/11/17/true-blue-gerry-reflects-on-golden-times/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Wolves Heroes}}</ref>
* [[Mike Marsh (footballer)|Mike Marsh]] - Former Liverpool and [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] player,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liverpool career stats for Mike Marsh - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC! |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/373 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031035205/http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/373 |archive-date=31 October 2012 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=lfchistory.net}}</ref> Liverpool coach,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Marsh |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team/staff/mike-marsh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820235837/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team/staff/mike-marsh |archive-date=20 August 2012 |website=Liverpool FC}}</ref> and [[England national under-17 football team|national under-17]] coach<ref>{{Cite web |last=Threlfall-Sykes |first=David |title=Mike Marsh will depart his role as Huddersfield Town Coach at end of 2015/16 season |url=http://www.htafc.com/news/article/huddersfield-town-mike-marsh-england-coach-departure-3051450.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919065044/http://www.htafc.com/news/article/huddersfield-town-mike-marsh-england-coach-departure-3051450.aspx |archive-date=19 September 2016 |access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Leighton Baines]] – [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] player, formerly of [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=So Close... |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/player-profile/leighton-baines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106050030/http://www.evertonfc.com/player-profile/leighton-baines |archive-date=6 January 2012 |website=Everton FC}}</ref>
* [[Aaron McGowan]] - [[Kilmarnock F.C.]] player<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 January 2012 |title=Merseyside under-16s skipper Aaron McGowan honoured to lead his county |work=Liverpool Echo |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/junior-sport/merseyside-under-16s-skipper-aaron-mcgowan-3355907 |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208094713/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/junior-sport/merseyside-under-16s-skipper-aaron-mcgowan-3355907 |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[Jamie Jones (footballer)|Jamie Jones]] – Middlesbrough player<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 June 2016 |title=Stevenage: Jamie Jones signs new terms with League Two club |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36531059 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128012712/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36531059 |archive-date=28 November 2018 |access-date=12 February 2018 }}</ref>
* [[Phil Boersma]] – Former Liverpool player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Boersma |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/phil-boersma |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208232202/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/phil-boersma |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Liverpool FC}}</ref>
* [[Tommy Caton]] – former [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], and [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tommy Caton |url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/manchester-city-fc/tommy-caton-10867/biography-of-his-football-career-at-man-city_a11159/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208093421/http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/manchester-city-fc/tommy-caton-10867/biography-of-his-football-career-at-man-city_a11159/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Sporting Heroes}}</ref>
* [[Paul Cook (footballer)|Paul Cook]] – Former Wigan Athletic manager and former Wigan Athletic and [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] player<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hilton |first=Nick |date=29 November 2012 |title=Ex-Tranmere midfielder Paul Cook out to check former club's progress with Chesterfield |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-tranmere-midfielder-paul-cook-out-3330924 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222751/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-tranmere-midfielder-paul-cook-out-3330924 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref>
* [[Alan Dugdale]] – Former [[Coventry City]], [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] and [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigel's Webspace - English Football Cards, Player Pages - Alan Dugdale |url=http://cards.littleoak.com.au/player_pages/025%20Alan%20Dugdale.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208130005/http://cards.littleoak.com.au/player_pages/025%20Alan%20Dugdale.html |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=littleoak.com.au}}</ref>
* [[Ken Dugdale]] – Former Wigan Athletic player and [[New Zealand men's national football team|New Zealand national team]] manager<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ken Dugdale - Soccer - Scoresway - Results, fixtures, tables and statistics |url=http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=player&id=284502 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143718/http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=player&id=284502 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=scoresway.com}}</ref>
* [[Alan Stubbs]] – Former [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], Everton and [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] player, and current [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] manager<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alan Stubbs |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/player-profile/alan-stubbs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107022332/http://www.evertonfc.com/player-profile/alan-stubbs |archive-date=7 January 2012 |website=Everton FC}}</ref>
* [[Terry McDermott]] – Former Liverpool and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terry McDermott |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/terry-mcdermott |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912234923/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/terry-mcdermott |archive-date=12 September 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Liverpool FC}}</ref>
* [[Rickie Lambert]] - Former [[West Bromwich Albion]] and Liverpool player<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2015 |title=Lambert completes Albion move |url=http://www.wba.co.uk//news/article/lambert-wba-albion-signings-2584798.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208104606/http://www.wba.co.uk//news/article/lambert-wba-albion-signings-2584798.aspx |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=West Bromwich Albion F.C.}}</ref>
* [[Craig Noone]] - [[Cardiff City F.C.]] player<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pearce |first=James |date=17 February 2012 |title=Brighton winger Craig Noone can't wait to take on his Liverpool FC heroes – and ask for Wembley tickets while he's there |work=Liverpool Echo |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brighton-winger-craig-noone-cant-3352988 |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208234413/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brighton-winger-craig-noone-cant-3352988 |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[Phil Edwards (footballer)|Phil Edwards]] - [[Burton Albion F.C.]] player, former [[Accrington Stanley F.C.]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Edwards - Football Stats - Burton Albion - Age 29 - Soccer Base |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=39795 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208040914/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=39795 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=soccerbase.com}}</ref>
* [[Jimmy Redfern]] - Former [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.]] and [[Chester City F.C.]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Redfern |url=http://www.11v11.com/players/jimmy-redfern-31413/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208104739/http://www.11v11.com/players/jimmy-redfern-31413/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=11v11.com}}</ref>
* [[Gary Bennett (footballer, born 1963)|Gary Bennett]] - Former Kirkby Town, [[Skelmersdale United F.C.]], Wigan Athletic, [[Chester City F.C.]], [[Wrexham A.F.C.]], [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.]] and [[Preston North End F.C.]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gary Bennett |url=http://soapstarsoccerstar.com/gary-bennett/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628040009/http://soapstarsoccerstar.com/gary-bennett/ |archive-date=28 June 2013 |website=soapstarsoccerstar.com}}</ref>
* [[George Donnelly (footballer)|George Donnelly]] - Former Tranmere Rovers player<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hilton |first=Nick |date=1 September 2014 |title=Tranmere Rovers have completed signing of George Donnelly from Rochdale and Matt Hill signs on one-year deal |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tranmere-rovers-completed-signing-george-7704245 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000127/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tranmere-rovers-completed-signing-george-7704245 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=12 January 2016 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref>
* [[Michelle Hinnigan]] - Former [[Everton L.F.C.]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michelle Hinnigan |url=http://everton.fawsl.com/playerProfile/michelle_hinnigan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812015658/http://everton.fawsl.com/playerProfile/michelle_hinnigan.html |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Everton Ladies FC}}</ref>
* [[Steve Torpey (footballer, born 1981)|Steve Torpey]] - Former [[Prescot Cables F.C.]], [[F.C. United of Manchester]] [[AFC Telford United]], and [[Fleetwood Town F.C.]] player. Scored F.C. United of Manchester's first goal in a friendly match against [[Flixton F.C.]]<ref>{{soccerbase|27761|Steve Torpey}}</ref>
* [[Mark Hughes (footballer, born 1986)|Mark Hughes]] - [[Accrington Stanley F.C.]] player, former Everton player<ref>{{soccerbase|41916|Mark Hughes}}</ref>
* [[John Coleman (footballer, born 1962)|John Coleman]] - Accrington Stanley manager<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 April 2018 |title=How two best mates from Kirkby went from Sunday League to League One |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/accrington-stanley-promotion-league-one-league-two-john-coleman-jimmy-bell-simon-hughes-brink-a8310086.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012104555/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/accrington-stanley-promotion-league-one-league-two-john-coleman-jimmy-bell-simon-hughes-brink-a8310086.html |archive-date=12 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=The Independent}}</ref>
* [[Ryan Taylor (footballer, born 1984)|Ryan Taylor]] - Former [[Newcastle United F.C.]] player<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-star-ryan-taylor-pays-8031250| title = Newcastle star Ryan Taylor pays tribute to supporters for helping him through injury hell - Chronicle Live| date = November 2014| access-date = 15 August 2021| archive-date = 17 August 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210817175255/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-star-ryan-taylor-pays-8031250| url-status = dead}}</ref>
* [[Connor Randall]] Former Liverpool player, current [[Ross County F.C.]] player<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/connor-randall-praised-liverpool-loanee-13473946| title = Connor Randall praised as Liverpool loanee refuses to speak to the S*n - Liverpool Echo| date = 14 August 2017| access-date = 15 August 2021| archive-date = 17 August 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210817175256/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/connor-randall-praised-liverpool-loanee-13473946| url-status = dead}}</ref>
* [[Danny Coid]]{{snd}}Former [[Blackpool F.C.]] player<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/47-footballers-you-not-know-17326121| title = 47 footballers you may not know came from Knowsley - Liverpool Echo| date = 7 January 2020| access-date = 15 August 2021| archive-date = 15 August 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210815225159/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/47-footballers-you-not-know-17326121| url-status = dead}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Other sports figures originating from Kirkby}}Other sports figures===
* [[John Conteh]] - 1970 Commonwealth Games middleweight boxing gold medalist, former [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] [[light heavyweight]] champion<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jay |first=Phil |date=4 March 2013 |title=Boxing legends: John Conteh |work=World Sports News |url=http://www.worldsportingnews.net/news/other-news/2013/03/04/boxing-legends-john-conteh.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708100314/http://www.worldsportingnews.net/news/other-news/2013/03/04/boxing-legends-john-conteh.html |archive-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>
* [[Paul Hodkinson]] - Former WBC featherweight boxing champion<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merseyside Boxing Archive |url=http://www.merseyboxers.org.uk/the_greats_detail.php?boxer_ID=153 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043226/http://www.merseyboxers.org.uk/the_greats_detail.php?boxer_ID=153 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=merseyboxers.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[Joey Singleton|Joey "The Jab" Singleton]] - British champion boxer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merseyside Boxing Archive |url=https://www.merseyboxers.org.uk/archive.php?showType=boxer&boxer_ID=95 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818033955/http://merseyboxers.org.uk/archive.php?showType=boxer&boxer_ID=95 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |access-date=30 August 2019 |website=www.merseyboxers.org.uk}}</ref>
{{anchor|Notable non-sporting people}}

===Others===
* [[Nicky Allt]] - Playwright, author, producer
* [[Aiden Byrne]] – youngest Michelin Award chef<ref name="metro.co.uk" />
* [[Alan Bleasdale]] – playwright<ref name="metro.co.uk">{{Cite news |last=Ellis |first=James |date=27 October 2009 |title=Alan Bleasdale |work=Metro |url=http://metro.co.uk/2009/10/27/alan-bleasdale-636309/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002103/http://metro.co.uk/2009/10/27/alan-bleasdale-636309/ |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[Andrew Schofield (actor)|Andrew Schofield]] – actor<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miles |first=Tina |date=17 September 2008 |title=Andrew Schofield returns to Royal Court with daughter Jess |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/andrew-schofield-returns-royal-court-3472662 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830124847/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/andrew-schofield-returns-royal-court-3472662 |archive-date=30 August 2019 |access-date=14 December 2020 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref>
* [[Bobby Schofield]] – actor<ref name="metro.co.uk" />
* [[China Crisis]] – new wave and synth-pop band<ref>{{Cite web |title=China Crisis |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/8432d4a5-69c0-4a0e-8a7a-9265e863a308 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925094115/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/8432d4a5-69c0-4a0e-8a7a-9265e863a308 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=BBC Music}}</ref>
* Craig Colton – finalist on [[The X Factor (British series 8)|The X Factor 2011]]<ref name="ccolton">{{Cite web |last=Miles |first=Tina |date=2 September 2011 |title=Kirkby singer Craig Colton quit biscuit factory job for a shot at X Factor |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/in-the-mix/2011/09/02/kirkby-singer-craig-colton-quit-biscuit-factory-job-for-a-shot-at-x-factor-100252-29349202/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214230430/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/kirkby-singer-craig-colton-quit-3364249 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=[[Liverpool Echo]]}}</ref>
* [[Murder of James Bulger|James Bulger]] - murder victim<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/kirkby-garden-schoolchildren-remember-james-3322518|title = Kirkby garden where schoolchildren remember James Bulger|date = 15 February 2013|access-date = 29 January 2022|archive-date = 29 January 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220129062120/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/kirkby-garden-schoolchildren-remember-james-3322518|url-status = live}}</ref>
* [[Margi Clarke]] – actress<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sturges |first=Fiona |date=1 June 1997 |title=How We Met - Jon Savage and Margi Clarke |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-1253732.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164527/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-1253732.html |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>
* [[Peter Augustine Baines]] - [[Benedictine]], [[titular bishop]] of Siga and [[Apostolic Vicariate of the Western District (England and Wales)|Vicar Apostolic of the Western District]] of England<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Augustine Baines |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02207d.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208110750/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02207d.htm |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=New Advent}}</ref>
* [[Robert Atherton (poet)|Robert Atherton]] – poet<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Atherton |url=http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/information/print_text.msql?name=Robert+Atherton&ref=RApeople |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032236/http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/information/print_text.msql?name=Robert+Atherton&ref=RApeople |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council}}</ref>
* [[Sharon Maughan]] – actress<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sharon Maughan |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0560864/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306034707/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0560864/ |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=IMDB}}</ref>
* [[Stephen Graham]] – actor<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephen Graham (I) |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0334318/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104212709/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0334318/ |archive-date=4 November 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=IMDB}}</ref>
* [[Steve Rotheram]] - Mayor of the [[Liverpool City Region]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Joshua |date=13 July 2016 |title=Steve Rotheram MP: I'll save A-levels in Knowsley |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/steve-rotheram-mp-ill-save-11608817 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153839/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/steve-rotheram-mp-ill-save-11608817 |archive-date=3 December 2017 |access-date=2 December 2017 |website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref>
* Tony Jones – bass player in [[The Christians (band)|The Christians]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Christians |url=http://www.liverpoolmusic.org/the-christians/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063250/http://www.liverpoolmusic.org/the-christians/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=Liverpool Music}}</ref>
* [[Tony Maudsley]] – actor<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Maudsley |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0560806/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106143623/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0560806/ |archive-date=6 November 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=IMDB}}</ref>
* [[Tricia Penrose]] – actress<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tricia Penrose |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0672297/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212040821/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0672297/ |archive-date=12 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |website=IMDB}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Listed buildings in Kirkby]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kirkby, Merseyside}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090210113054/http://liverpoolstreetgallery.com/thumbnails.php?album=35 Liverpool Street Gallery – Liverpool 33]
* [http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/kirkby.html Knowsley Local History – Kirkby] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622231607/http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/kirkby.html |date=22 June 2006 }}
* [http://www.history.knowsley.gov.uk/results/search_kirkby.html Historical images of Kirkby] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107181312/http://www.history.knowsley.gov.uk/results/search_kirkby.html |date=7 January 2008 }}
* [http://www.kirkbyteaministry.co.uk St. Chad's Church website]
* [http://www.kirkbychristianfellowship.co.uk Kirkby Christian Fellowship's website]
* [http://www.stkevinskirkby.co.uk St Kevin's Kirkby website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203151049/http://www.stkevinskirkby.co.uk/ |date=3 December 2008 }}
* [http://www.kirkbybaptist.org.uk Kirkby Baptist Church's website]
* [http://www.kirkbyhighschool.net Kirkby High School's website]

{{Geographic location
| title     = '''Destinations from Kirkby'''
| Northwest = [[Formby]], [[Maghull]], [[Lydiate]]
| North     = [[Ormskirk]], [[Southport]], [[Burscough]], [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]
| Northeast = [[Wigan]], [[Skelmersdale]], [[Up Holland]] <br /> [[Chorley]]
| West      = [[Litherland]], [[Crosby, Merseyside|Crosby]], [[Aintree]]
| Centre    = Kirkby
| East      = [[Manchester]], [[Haydock]], [[St Helens, Merseyside|St Helens]], [[Eccles, Greater Manchester|Eccles]] <br /> [[Newton-le-Willows]]
| Southwest = [[Liverpool]], [[Birkenhead]], [[West Kirby]], [[Wallasey]], [[Heswall]], [[Rhyl]]
| South     = [[Ellesmere Port]], [[Chester]], [[Halewood]]
| Southeast = [[Prescot]], [[Whiston, Merseyside|Whiston]], [[Widnes]], [[Runcorn]], [[Warrington]], [[Huyton]]
}}
{{Merseyside}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Merseyside]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Merseyside]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Merseyside]]