Conditions for the planned renovation of the former Leo’s Bar building in Southport town centre have been approved by Sefton Council.
One of Southport’s most distinct buildings, it was built in the Victorian era with a later Art Deco addition to the main frontage.
The existing building has most recently been occupied by Leo’s Bar on the ground floor with storage and function rooms on the first floor, but has fallen into disrepair in recent years.
New owners now hope to begin work on its restoration after a series of planning conditions were approved.
They include details on which materials will be used; cycle storage information; beer garden wall details; sound insulation; acoustic glazing; the siting of bird and bat boxes and more.
The transformation of the former Leo’s building at 42-50 Nevill Street in Southport town centre will bring “significant positive regeneration benefits” to the area.
Sefton Council has approved a planning application to:
- Divide the existing Leo’s bar on the ground floor into one pub and two retail units
- Change of use of the first and second floors to form six new residential dwellings comprising two, two- bedroom flats and four studio flats
The Leo’s Bar building is a Non-designated Heritage Asset and is located inside the Promenade Conservation Area.
The building has had many uses over the years, including Leo’s Bar, Berni Inn and Thorps Restaurant.
The restoration of this ‘critical’ site will bring “significant regeneration benefits” to Southport town centre, according to Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie.
In a council report, he said: “The landmark building makes a positive contribution to the character of the conservation area and presents important local, historic and architectural value.
“The site was previously a section of terraced houses and was transformed into an Art Deco building by altering its façade.
“The building has been in poor condition for a number of years and affects the amenity of Nevill Street and the wider town centre.
“Its prominent location at one of the main access points of Southport, together with its impressive façade creates a focal feature. Its condition contributed to the Conservation Area being on the National Heritage at Risk Register.
“The proposals have significant regeneration benefits and it is a critical building of the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.
“The re-use of the vacant upper floors is supported and complies with the Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Area Management Plan, which recognises that more residential accommodation can help sustain the town centre.
“The proposal would make a positive contribution to the character of the conservation area and the building itself. The development will secure the long-term future of the building and its maintenance.
“The original Art Deco architectural features of the front and side elevations will be reinstated, details that have been lost will be recreated and reinstated.
“There are a number of public benefits that the proposals present, including that of the repair and restoration of the building, re-insertion of the original shopfronts, re-insertion of the original window design and bringing the upper floors back into use. The proposals would significantly enhance both the Conservation area and the wider Town Centre as a key aim of the Southport Townscape Heritage Projects.
“The previous use of the building included a large pub with a function room to the first floor. It is considered that the proposals to reduce the size of the pub and conversion to the upper floors to studio / flats is likely to have less of an impact on the living conditions of the neighbouring occupiers.
“The proposed re-development of the site would provide significant positive regeneration benefits.”
A planning application has been submitted for the scheme by Kemal Aslan.
In the application, AWE Architectural Design Consultancy LTD said: “The proposal will enhance the Promenade Conservation Area, add vitality and viability to Southport town centre and will not cause detrimental harm to the amenity of the area.”
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