Agreement has been given to the demolition of one of the oldest pubs in Southport and its replacement with a new supermarket.
The George pub has stood on Duke Street in Southport since 1867, serving local families for 154 years until its closure in February 2021.
Plans were initially submitted to Sefton Council to partially convert the Victorian era landmark to a retail store on the ground floor and four residential units on the first floor. It would also have involved the erection of a single storey extension to the side.
In its initial planning submission, Co-Op said: “The Co-operative has an immediate need for the store and therefore any potential site needs to be available prior to the end of 2022.”
The site has since become one of Southport’s biggest eyesores, and a blight for nearby residents and businesses.
The historic George pub building has fallen into such poor condition that Central Co-Op argued that they should be allowed to demolish it and replace it with a modern structure, a plea which has now been accepted by Sefton Council.
It was partially demolished before building work suddenly stopped.
Central Co-Op blamed “circumstances beyond our control” for the redesign which the firm said “has all come at significant additional cost and loss of time.”
In a report, Sefton’s Planning team said: “The proposed new building is appropriately designed, in keeping with the area, and it would not be detrimental to the street scene or wider character of the area. Whilst the previous scheme sought to retain and convert the existing building, it is not statutorily listed. The Council’s Conservation Officer has been consulted and has no objections to the proposal.
“The proposed commercial units are acceptable and would not adversely impact on existing centres. The development is of a scale and format that would not be harmful to the character of the area. The site is readily accessible, and development would not have a detrimental impact on highway safety or the wider road network.”
The car parking provision amounts to 28 spaces, including those to service the flats. The overall level of car parking proposed is considered to be acceptable.
The scheme would involve the demolition of the George pub building and the erection of a mixed use development incorporating a two storey building with additional single storey extension to form a new Cooperative foodstore at ground floor with adjoining sub-unit, four self-contained flats to the first floor, with new shopfront, signage zones, reconfigured car park, residential amenity area and new secure yard / plant enclosure.
In a planning statement submitted to Sefton Council, Central Co-Op said: “Central Co-Op purchased the site in August 2021 with a view to developing the site into a convenience store and supporting units.
“Pre-application planning advice was sought with Sefton Council and designs produced to retain and extend the existing original building.
“A full planning application was submitted in February 2022. Approval was granted on the 28th of October.
“Central Co-op undertook a thorough tender process including extensive due diligence, full prequalification review (financial, health & safety, competence, accreditations, experience, and previous work.) This process resulted in the appointment of the building contractor Clement Dickens – a well-established firm of 75 years. Construction commenced November 2022. “Unfortunately, Clement Dickens filed for administration on the 3rd of April 2023 having only completed the site clearance, partial demolition, and partial foundations.
“The site was then in the control of the administrator and a protracted period followed, regaining possession of the site, resurveying, and retendering to find a replacement contractor.
“Specialist temporary works designers were appointed to design a propping solution to support the remaining structure. This was extremely complex due to the deterioration of the building, the required piled foundations and challenging ground conditions.
“Several options were investigated but it became apparent that the building was no longer safe to continue the conversion works.
“A project design team meeting was held (attendees: project manager, structural engineer, contractor, piling contractor, temporary works designer, architect and health and safety consultant) with the outcome being the project could not continue safely.
“Due to the unsafe nature of continuing with the current permission, we unfortunately had no alternative but to submit a planning application to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a new building.
“Our application retains the existing building footprint, floor areas and boundary treatments and is designed to respond positively to the character, local distinctiveness, and form of its surroundings.
“Central Co-Op remains committed to the development of the site. The safety of our contractors and long-term future for the site is paramount. Circumstances beyond our control have led to the proposed redesign and this has all come at significant additional cost and loss of time.”
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