Co-Op has surprisingly abandoned plans to transform the site of the former George Hotel site in Southport into a new supermarket.
The 156-year-old pub, on Duke Street in Southport, was partially demolished last year and the future of the site is now uncertain.
The situation was revealed by Stand Up For Southport member Andy Sutcliffe, who questioned Co-Op about what was happening with the site after work ceased.
A Co-Op spokesperson told him: “Hi Andy, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I’ve now received a response back from our property team who have said that this location is no longer of any interest to the Co-Op Group and will not be one of our stores.”
The Co-Op press office has been contacted for comment, asking why the firm has decided not to continue with its plans.
The former George Hotel had been vacant since February 2021.
A planning application to convert the site into a a new Co-Op supermarket and apartments, creating 15 new jobs, was submitted to Sefton Council in March last year, and was granted last October.
Proposals for the historic pub called for a change of use from a vacant public house to a retail store on the ground floor and four residential units on the first floor.
Opening hours would have been 7am-10pm seven days a week, including Sundays and bank holidays.
The George Business Park next door was unaffected by the proposals and continues trading as normal.
The scheme would have also included the partial demolition of the existing building and the erection of a single storey extension to the side, the filling in of the existing basement and associated landscaping and access.
The scheme was originally due to be completed last year, with Co-Op keen to open the doors of its new site.
A Retail Assessment by DPP Planning said in the application to Sefton Council last year: “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 proposed convenience store would also have provided an in-store bakery.
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