Building work has begun on transforming a Grade II Listed building on Lord Street in Southport, which could see the closure of Bold Street for the next few months.
The work is expected to take five months, but permission is in place to allow for up to 18 months if necessary.
The landmark property on the corner of Lord Street and Bold Street, opposite Casa Italia, is being given new life by creating new shops on the ground floor while designing apartments on the floors above. It was previously home to businesses including Sheldons and Man To Man.
It is the latest example of a growing trend of revitalising vacant upper floors in the Lord Street Conservation Area.
Ironshore Global Limited is leading the project to convert 509-515 Lord Street in Southport into retail units at ground level and nine self-contained apartments (three per floor) in the storeys above, with access from the far end of the Bold Street. Atelier MB Global Architects will design the scheme.
In his report to councillors, Sefton Council Head of Highways and Public Protection Peter Moore said: “509-515 Lord Street is being refurbished, including re-roofing, window replacements, and internal alterations to construct 9 new apartments and 2 retail units.
“To allow the safe construction of this development, and in order to preserve the health and safety of the general public, it shall be necessary to close the section of Bold Street from Lord Street, along the frontage of the building, a distance of approximately 30m.
“Whilst the footway of Bold Street adjacent to 509 – 515 and the carriageway will be closed, the footway on the opposite side of Bold Street will remain open to facilitate pedestrian access.
“It is anticipated the refurbishment of the building will take 5 months.
“As a result of the closure a number of parking spaces will be taken out of use. The developer has agreed to pay for the lost income from these spaces.”
Bringing more people to live and work in and around Lord Street was one of the ambitions of the Southport Town Deal as a key method of revitalising Southport town centre.
In its application, Atelier MB Global Architects said: “Atelier MB have been asked to present proposals to convert the upper floors of numbers 509-515 Lord Street into residential apartments.
“Lord Street, Southport is a fine civic space and was a significant retail destination for many years, but in common with much of the retail sector it has been in decline in the recent past.
“In common with its neighbours and other buildings on Lord Street, the elevation is dominated by the glass and iron canopy which shelter shoppers from inclement weather. Above sits three floors of former office / retail space.
“In recent years the lower floors have been difficult to rent and have only attracted transient short term tenancies. However, during this time the upper floors have been virtually unused. “Despite this the building is in reasonable condition and has a significant amount of original architectural detail remaining.
“The building has been in the same ownership for some time and in the early years the shops and upper floors were let successfully. Recently, however, it has become more difficult to attract tenants, especially for the upper floors.
“The owners, in an effort to create value to maintain this important heritage asset, are proposing to convert the upper floors into residential apartments. The ground floor will remain as A3 retail and we are proposing some small alterations to split the ground floor from the upper floors.”
Bringing the building back into full use would have a positive impact on Lord Street.
Bringing buildings back into full use would help with the ambition to bring more people to come to live and work in Southport town centre, giving a new impetus to local businesses and improving the appearance of the buildings there.
The last Lord Street Conservation Area Appraisal recognised the issue, saying: “A considerable number of commercial buildings have vacant upper floors, which give a run-down appearance to certain sections of the street frontage.
“The character and appearance of a number of buildings would benefit from structural repairs and the reinstatement of traditional features including sliding sash windows, leaded lights and glazed canopies.
“The conversion of vacant upper floors to new uses would also improve the appearance of individual buildings and boost the economy of the area.”
Atelier MB Global Architects said: “The conversion will have minimal impact on the exterior of the building, which is considered to be its most significant feature, architecturally and historically. The shop frontage will be retained and the ground floor will continue in active retail use.
“The proposals will preserve the character of the building by retaining and repairing its significant features. The design does not propose any major external changes or harm to the appearance of the building.
“Its traditional retail ground floor use will be kept and the property will be enhanced by the virtue of its reuse and its careful repair.
“It will no longer be three quarters vacant and will have secured a sustainable use. This use will not only ensure its condition is improved, it will also result in occupation and maintenance in the longer term, securing the future of the listed asset and enhancing its contribution to the Conservation Area through appropriate reuse and repair.
“The proposed changes offer wider public benefit through the preservation of the building.”
Many of the upper storey spaces on Lord Street are currently under-used or vacant, but this is a trend that has been gradually changing in recent years thanks to schemes like the one being led by Ironshore Global Limited.
This creates a number of issues for the buildings as lack of use leads to lack of maintenance, security is compromised and the area lacks an animated use above street level.
It is crucial that Lord Street is able to maintain viable and sustainable uses above ground floor level to ensure historic buildings are utilised to their capacity and that they have a long-term sustainable future, compatible with their significance as listed assets.
The building was statutory listed at Grade II in 1972, and has a long history of use going back to the Edwardian Era.
In 1908-09 numbering, occupants were – 509: Smith Jas and Sons, Dyers and Cleaners; 511: Luna Madame, Fancy Goods Dealer; 513-515: Righton, Jas, Chemist and Druggist, also at 48 Hoghton Street.
Smith dyers and cleaners remained at the premises until 1924 and Righton the pharmacist was a tenant until the 1940s (although they changed units to 511). In 1910, 511 was occupied by a ladies tailor and in 1914 the tenant was listed as WA Rimmer, hairdressers, wig makers, hair workers, chiropodists and manicurists.
In 1924-5, 509 was occupied by Rothwell W. Household Linen Specialists and 513-515 was Surpass Shoe Co. Ltd. As 515 is also listed as McBride; Ladies Tailor and Furrier, it is possible that this was when the upper units began to be used as retail units.
Upper floor use for offices is evident in the 1927-28 entry which reads as follows: 509: Maison Vandevelde-Soul; manufacturers of real laces and hand embroidered linens; 511: Righton, Jas.; 513- 515: Surpass Shoe Co; the leading shoecraft specialists; 515a: McBride Wm. And Ladies Tailor and Furrier; 515a: Conservative and Unionist Association; 515a: Women’s Unionist League; 515a: Junior Unionist Association. A variety of uses continued with the entry for 1930-31: 509: Neubert Optician; eyesight specialist for spectacles; 511: Righton, Jas, Pharmacist; 513-515: Dolcis Shoe Co.; 515a: McBride Wm; Ladies Tailor and Furrier; 515a: Southport Unionist Association; 515a: Women’s Unionist League; 515a: Junior Unionist Association.
In 1933-34 the occupants were – 509: Neubert, Optician, Eyesight Specialist for Spectacles; 511: Righton, Jas; Pharmacist; 513-515: Dolcis Shoe Company Ltd.; 515a: Southport Unionist Association; 515a: Southport Women’s Unionist League; 515a: Southport Junior Imperial League; 515a: Persian Carpets and Rugs (S. Tiourian proprietor).
By 1939-40, upper floor uses are no longer noted. This could be because the upper storeys were used as storage for the units below. 509: Neubert; Optician, Eyesight Specialist for Spectacles; 511: Righton, Jas; Pharmacist; 513-515: Dolcis Shoe Co. Ltd.
In 1951 there were two ground floor tenants, and an optician operating from the first floor. 509-511: Sheldons Chemists Ltd. Manufacturing and Dispensing Chemist; Neubert Consulting Optician (1st Floor); 513-515: Dolcis Shoe Co.
The last trade directory entry is 1960: 509-511: Sheldons Chemist Ltd. Manufacturing, Dispensing and Photographic Chemists. Neubert Consulting Optician; 513: Dolcis Shoe Co. Ltd.; 513-515: Robins. E. Ltd; Ladies and Children’s Outfitters.
The ground floor unit continued in use as a retail premises into the 21st Century.
The last tenants were Kedem Cosmetics and Status, but the units have remained empty and looking derelict for the past few months.
Residential use for the upper floors makes perfect sense, with the building well served by public transport. It is just 10 minutes walk away from Southport railway station with regular trains to Liverpool and Manchester while also being on a road with all major Southport bus routes. It is therefore well serviced by public transport.
Attracting new businesses into the ground floor units, converting empty space above to bring new inhabitants into the town centre while taking care of this historic building’s appearance represents the future for Lord Street.
The value created by schemes such as this will help to ensure that these significant buildings on our beautiful Lord Street boulevard will be maintained for future generations.
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