A £5.5 million investment into Southport town centre by pub chain JD Wetherspoon is set to revitalise one of Lord Street’s iconic buildings.
The ground floor of the Pavillion Buildings has for many years played host to the Sir Henry Seagrave pub, while its upper floors have more recently lay empty.
The investment, which comes after long standing discussions between JD Wetherspoon and Sefton Council about the future of the site, will see those underutilised upper floors being given a new lease of life as a hotel offer.
Planning proposals have already been submitted which will see the company consolidate its use of the Pavillion building across the ground and upper floors, with the new hotel accommodation helping to meet increasing demand for places to stay in the heart of Southport town centre
Rengeration
The investment comes alongside more than £150 million of Council-led and supported regeneration activity across Southport, including the Marine Lake Events Centre, Southport Pier, Eastbank and Southport Market, as well as improvements to streets and public spaces.
Research commissioned by the Council identified a need for additional hotel accommodation to support Southport’s growing visitor economy, while also meeting the increased demand expected to be generated by the Marine Lake Events Centre.
The project also adds to a wider renaissance at the southern end of Lord Street, alongside the private sector Garrick Theatre project, the conversion of the former Pumphouse and interest in the former Kingsway site.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said:
“This is another significant vote of confidence in Southport and its future, led by Sefton Council working with the private sector for the benefit of both residents and visitors.
“Our regeneration teams have worked closely with JD Wetherspoon over a long period to help unlock the potential of this important building and secure a sustainable new use for its upper floors.
“Investment of this scale demonstrates yet again how our public sector ambitions are creating private sector confidence and, vitally, bringing prominent buildings back into more productive use.
“It is particularly encouraging to see growing momentum at the southern end of Lord Street with a number of major projects helping to breathe new life into this important part of the town centre.”
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said:
“The investment from Wetherspoon highlights our commitment to the pub, its staff and customers and importantly Southport itself.”
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