A business owner has been inspired by his visits to Southport to try and open a new luxury bingo lounge on Lord Street.
Michael Smith has submitted a planning application to Sefton Council to open a LOL Entertainment venue in the former Lavish furniture store premises at 229 – 231 Lord Street.
He has applied for a change of use from a shop to a luxury bingo and slots lounge with works to provide a disabled provision toilet.
It would be the firm’s third venue, adding to haters already in Manchester and Newcastle.
If granted, the 200 sq m premises would see the creation of eight new employees; four full-time and four part-time.
LOL Entertainment is seeking opening hours of 10am until midnight.
In a letter to Sefton Council, Michael Smith wrote: “If granted, this will be our third luxury bingo lounge, with two currently trading in Manchester (Harpurhey) and Newcastle (Wallsend).
“We have chosen the venue in Southport for a number of reasons.
“Firstly, both of the bingo clubs in the town have closed, the town has therefore lost a valuable community asset.
“Secondly, LOL Bingo are strong supporters of a high street revival – we fit out to a high standard.
“Thirdly the site is the correct size and the location very desirable.
“On a personal note, my father grew up in Southport, before meeting my mother and moving to Manchester.
“Following my father’s passing my mother would regularly take us to Southport and I can still remember spending time on Lord Street, particularly the busy cafes and independent shops.
“We pride ourselves on supporting the local area, we are great neighbours, we try (where possible) to recruit locally, and all staff will be recruited from Southport postcodes.
“Importantly, we work to create a community feel, and give people a place to meet friends and make new ones.
“Some of our older customers don’t speak to anyone before they walk into one of our lounges for a complimentary coffee.
“We also take our gambling policies very seriously, with a Think 25 policy in place and customers regularly interacted with.”
A Planning Statement provided by LOL Entertainment said: “The proposed bingo use will introduce an appropriate use into these commercial premises, for an appropriate town centre use that would attract pedestrian footfall and would complement and support the leisure function of the local centre in general.
“The unit is two-storey, however the application is only for ground-floor. Accommodation exists on the first and second floors. These are accessed independently from the unit in question and are run by the same landlord (McComb property services).
“To the side of the site of the proposed site is the popular Auld Dubliner Public House and to the other side (unconnected) is the Scarisbrick Hotel.
“The local area is characterised by a lively mix of retail units although at the time of writing the report it was noted that a number lay vacant.
“Residential flats are above, however our business is fairly low noise compared with neighbouring occupiers – we will, of course, remind customers to be mindful when leaving the premises after 9pm by way of exit notices.
“LOL Bingo is a digitalised, town centre located, local community concept which seeks to replace the conventional edge of town Bingo Hall operation.
“The proposed use will require additional staffing, thereby helping to generate additional employment at the proposed site.
“The proposed bingo use would introduce an appropriate town centre use that would attract pedestrian footfall, which would complement and support the leisure function of these premises and this local centre in general. The proposed bingo use would enhance the vitality and viability of the local centre.
“The proposed use will represent an alternative, well-managed, commercial leisure use within these existing commercial premises, that would provide enhanced alternative leisure facilities within the locality.”
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