A new authentic Irish bar will open in Southport town centre this July.
The Auld Dubliner will open in the former Thomas Cook unit at 225-227 Lord Street, between Starbucks coffee shop and Lavish Homes, this July.
Planning permission and Listed building consent for the change of use of the ground floor of the 19th Century building from a travel agent (class E) to a public house with the provision of outdoor seating has been granted by Sefton Council.
The change will ensure that this whole section of the road is occupied by thriving businesses, which will “help breathe new life into the street scene in this central Lord Street location”.
The Auld Dubliner will be open 10am-1am each day, giving it an active frontage during both daytime and evenings.
225 Lord Street is a Grade II Listed building within a group from 221 – 233 which were probably built between around 1860 and 1890.
The shop was one of more than 600 Thomas Cook outlets which were closed in 2019 when the company collapsed. The shop has been empty ever since.
The plans were drawn up by RAL Architects in Southport.
In the submission they said: “This application is for the change of use of the ground floor premises at 225 Lord Street from Travel Agent / Bureau de change class E to a drinking establishment.
“The unit has proved difficult to let under use class E, an issue reflected in the significant number of empty retail units in Lord Street and throughout the town centre.
“A tenant has been found for the site, but only for use as a drinking establishment.
“It is important that the building has a meaningful use and we are therefore applying for change of use to enable the unit to be occupied.
“There is a general need to re-generate town centres and Southport and Lord Street is no exception.
“Significant investment has been made to the entire building from 219-233 and it is essential that the unit is occupied as soon as possible to help breathe new life into the street scene in this central Lord Street location.
“We consider the proposal is generally in accordance with the need for greater flexibility for changes of use to allow a gradual regeneration of town centres given the challenges in the retail sector.
“This area of Lord Street is at the centre of Southport’s night time economy, and is largely occupied by commercial property. Easy access to public transport makes it an ideal location for a leisure facility, and as the intended hours of operation are 10am – 1am, this unit will have an active frontage for most of the day.
“The business will be run as a ‘wet bar’ and will not have a commercial kitchen.
“The change of use will enable this site to be tenanted, and ensure that the entire block from 219 to 233 has an active frontage.
“Lord street is becoming an area for leisure rather than retail and this proposal will create an appropriate addition to the Conservation Area with a traditional timber panelled frontage.
“The proposal is an improvement on the current shopfront and is therefore considered to be acceptable and will make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Listed Building.”
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