A new amusement arcade could open soon on Scarisbrick Avenue in Southport, creating five new full-time jobs, as the recent resurgence of the street takes place.
The arcade would be situated on the site of former ice cream shops which have been vacant for a number of years at 36-38 Scarisbrick Avenue.
It is near the Promenade end of Scarisbrick Arcade, next to the four-story mural of Red Rum which was created by acclaimed street artist Paul Curtis in March 2020 as part of the Sefton Borough Of Culture celebrations.
Sefton Council has previously identified Scarisbrick Avenue, and other links between Lord Street and the Promenade, as priorities for regeneration.
Last year Sefton Council invested £1 million in public realm works to improve Scarisbrick Avenue.
Earlier this year it granted planning permission for the former Continental Hotel, on the corner of Scarisbrick Avenue and the Promenade, to be converted to create nine, two-bedroom apartments with a new restaurant on the ground floor in a £1 million transformation.
The new arcade could be the next new business to open on the street, with a planning application submitted by Dal Kanijau.
A Heritage Statement prepared by Rod Ainsworth Architect said: “The planning application relates to a change of use of the ground floor and basements of two vacant shop units previously used as ice cream shops, which have been vacant now for a number of years, into an amusement arcade.
“It is proposed to remove and replace the present shop front at ground floor level, which will have minimal impact on the Conservation Area.
“The new shopfront will be fabricated in hardwood and have a transom window above.
“It will consist of a number of sliding folding doors which can be opened in the warmer weather to provide a more open fresh air feel to the interior.
“Columns and pilasters will be retained to define the original shop.
“The upper floor elevations onto Scarisbrick Avenue will remain as existing.
“The floors above (2nd and 3rd) the application site are vacant and have been for many years.
“Planning permission has recently been granted for a change to residential accommodation but has not been implemented.”
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