The renovation of the Lord Street end of Cambridge Arcade in Southport is due to be completed by March next year.
But no date has yet been set for when the Chapel Street section of the Victoria era arcade will be fixed.
Sefton Council has promised to carry out “regular maintenance inspections and any necessary repairs” until funding can be secured.
The local authority is also speaking with JSM, the owners of the former BHS department store, about when building work will begin there.
In the recent full Sefton Council meeting at Southport Town Hall, Sefton Lib Dem Leader Cllr John Pugh asked: “What plans has Sefton Council for the refurbishment of the parts, not included in the current programme, of the Cambridge Arcade parallel with the former BHS store – including the glass roof?”
Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services Councillor Lappin replied: “The first phase of refurbishment work to Cambridge Arcade and Southport Town Hall has just commenced with this work running through until the end of March 2024.
“This phase of work will not include the section of the arcade running parallel to the former BHS building.
“However, it is the intention to undertake the remaining works under a later phase subject to funding approval. In the intervening period regular maintenance inspections and any necessary repairs will be carried out to this part of the Arcade.
“In addition, we are in dialogue with representatives of the owners of the JSM building (former BHS building) and believe that they are looking at undertaking remedial works to their building imminently, however, to date we are yet to receive a confirmed commencement along with an associated programme of works”.
Work is taking place to repair and restore Cambridge Arcade in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southpor
Last week, contractors carrying out the restoration of Cambridge Arcade and Southport Town Hall revealed the extent of works they will be carrying out as they look to bring them “back to their former glory”.
Quadriga Contracts Manager Stephanie Morabito said: “It’s important to bring these historic buildings back to life and ensure their future for generations to come.”
Workers are currently on site putting up scaffolding, ready for the restoration work to begin in mid-September.
Renovation work on the arcade will go as far as the line of Southport Town Hall with no date yet scheduled for the Chapel Street end of the arcade.
A superb array of local independent shops, restaurants, cafes and bars inside Cambridge Arcade and Cambridge Walks will remain open while building work is taking place.
Traders are hoping that work by JSM will start soon on the former BHS building on Chapel Street, which runs along one side of the arcade.
North West based specialist heritage contractor Quadriga Contracts Ltd has already carried out prestigious restoration projects on North West landmarks including the Queens Hotel, Southport, The Royal Liver Building and Manchester Victoria Station.
Work is taking place to repair and restore Cambridge Arcade in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Quadriga was commissioned by Bernard Taylor Partnership (architects for the scheme) which is acting on behalf of Sefton Council to carry out essential heritage restoration works to both buildings.
Sefton Council has earmarked £400,000 for the work to take place.
Southport Town Hall is situated on the east side of Lord Street, adjacent to the Cambridge Arcade and is a Grade II listed Palladian style building designed by Thomas Withnell and built between 1852 and 1853. The building was extended in 1859, 1865 and later in the 19th century and escaped proposed plans for demolition in the 1960s, which would have seen a shopping centre take its place.
Quadriga Contracts Ltd. are being supported by sub-contractors including Connolly Scaffolding, Warbreck, Alco Roofing and the Standard Patent Glazing Company to complete the proposed works.
A number of the existing roof slates to Southport Town Hall will be removed and reinstated using both existing and reclaimed slates to match the original. Rainwater goods will also be replaced to ensure water is being drained effectively.
Once the roofing is complete, work will start on the Lord Street end of Cambridge Arcade in line with the town hall building.
Internally all the paint will be stripped followed by timber repairs, drainage improvements, replacement of all aluminium beading and glazing before finishing with redecoration works.
To the exterior, the stone sections on the Lord Street façade will be sympathetically cleaned using a superheated steam cleaning method which removes dirt and deposits without damaging the historic fabric, before full repointing and isolated stone repairs are carried out.
Stephanie Morabito, Contracts Manager at Quadriga said:
“I’m delighted to be part of the dedicated team restoring Southport Town Hall and Cambridge Arcade back to their former glory.
“It’s important to bring these historic buildings back to life and ensure their future for generations to come.
“These buildings play a huge part in the historic landscape of the town and we’re proud to be involved in this.”
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