Further plans to transform the historic former Grand Casino building on Lord Street in Southport have been revealed with a golf simulation area and a roof terrace among features that people can enjoy in the £3million redevelopment.
Owners Mikhail Hotel and Leisure have now submitted a planning application for Phase One of their scheme for the site.
It would see the early 20th Century building converted from a former casino into ‘The Grand’, featuring a brasserie restaurant on the ground floor, and a 250-seater function room and wedding suite and golf simulation area on the first floor.
There would be a bar with outdoor seating area to the second floor with a covered roof terrace above to occupy the existing flat roof, a canopy to the front and other external alterations.
The new development is due to open in June this year.
It would see the creation of 60 new jobs, with recruitment currently taking place.
Once work is complete, Mikhail Hotel and Leisure will look to progress plans for Phase Two of the multi-million scheme, which would see the creation of a Wellness Centre, Spa and hotel rooms.
Phase 3 would see the construction of the Tower Of Hope, a 48-storey tower which would house: 140 residential apartments, 109 five star hotel rooms, a top quality restaurant and a stylish wedding venue.
The firm already operates The Bold Hotel, the Lord Street Hotel, the Lord Street Sports Bar, Punch Tarmey’s Irish themed bar and the feature bar inside Southport Market.
The design work is being carried out by Southport-based Clayton Architecture.
A submission to Sefton Council by lead architect Joseph Clayton said: “This cover letter is to act as a temporary Design & Access Statement in order to allow the Full Planning Application and Listed Buildings Consent to proceed on The Grand Casino, Southport. Following full on site investigations and receipt of all reports a full Design and Access Statement and a separated Heritage Statement will be prepared and submitted.
“It is proposed that all modern additions and the plastic tiered seating installed when the building was converted to a bingo hall is to be fully removed and 3 storey tiered structure is erected in its place to house the relocated toilet block, new commercial kitchen, golf simulators and provide a viewing gallery over the remaining auditorium space. The new structure will essentially provide a new and modern building core to service the rest of the development and provide the necessary ancillary functions for the historic building to meet new building standards.
“The entire rear of the building is to have its roof repaired but internally will fall outside of this application and will form a Phase 2 development.”
A Heritage Statement prepared by Nexus Heritage says that the building was erected in 1923 as a car showroom and garage designed by Richard Woodhead. It was repurposed and largely rebuilt as The Grand Cinema, designed by George Edward Tonge.
The seating inside the cinema was ‘stadium’ like, consisting of pit, royal and grand stalls sloping up the huge main hall. Balconies stemmed out each side from the grand and royal stall area. The Grand Cinema closed in 1966 and became a bingo hall for and at some point it became the Stanley Grand Casino up until 2007 before changing hands and becoming the Mint Casino and later Genting Casino, until trading ceased in 2016.
The building was granted Listed status in October 2000.
The Statement said: “The design of the floor plans and ground and first floor levels has been careful to retain key features of the building such as curving walls, main staircases with chromium balustrade and handrails and fluted columns.
“With respect to the building the superstructure will, in the main, survive intact, but the interior would nevertheless be subjected to some moderate changes.
“The applicant has commissioned a design approach that takes account the sensitive nature of the building and its location which has resulted in a practical and achievable solution which would bring the building back into an economic and broadly sympathetic use and secure its long-term preservation.”
Sefton Council’s Lord Street Conservation Area Appraisal, which was carried out in 2017, regards the Grand Casino as contributing “particularly outstanding value” to the Conservation Area.
The Grand Casino is also mentioned in the Lord Street and The Promenade Conservation Area Management Plan where it is noted that it would deserve beneficial, sustainable re-use.
Andrew Mikhail, Chairman of Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group said: “I am thrilled to be able to create so many local jobs for the area with the regeneration of The Grand.
“The opening of this striking venue will attract both locals and tourists to enjoy a five-star experience and we need a five-star team in order to provide that experience.
“Those people that have visited other Mikhail Group venues will have experienced that high quality of service expected of our teams.
“I can’t wait to bring The Grand back to life and the staff will become the beating heart of the venue.”
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