New plans have been unveiled to breathe new life into the former Lakeland Leather shop on Lord Street in Southport town centre.
Emma Manager Woodall and her team at the shop, which was constructed in the Victorian era, said farewell to shoppers for the last time on 7th May after many years in which they played a major part in the local community.
Constructed circa 1901, the property is a striking four-storey, single-bay commercial building designed in an
eclectic Northern Renaissance style.
The building hasn’t stayed empty for long and now continues the recent renaissance along Lord Street.
Read More: £5.5m Wetherspoon Hotel investment shows huge confidence in Southport growth ambitions
Coffee King, next door to Lakeland Leather, opened earlier this year, joining other recently-opened Lord Street businesses including Saucy Bird, Occulo Lounge, Digz ‘n Lidz, Cafe Nova, Drishti Point Yoga, VS Jewels & Repairs, and others.
Work is currently taking place on the £5.5 million Wetherspoon Hotel on Lord Street with the new Lord Street Bakery due to open this week.
Owners have now submitted Listed Building Consent for the proposed reduction of the shop unit on the ground floor at 355-357 Lord Street.
They have been inspired by the Sefton Council ‘Lord Street Living’ vision which seeks to attract more people to live in the town centre to convert the rest of the space in the building.
On behalf of the owners, agents Andrew Cunningham Building Design are aiming to copmplete the conversion of the First Floor from Commercial to 2no Residential units; conversion of the Second and Third Floors from one Residential unit to three Residential units; and all associated minor internal and external alterations.
In the application they said: “The provision of new housing stock and refurbishment of a Grade II listed building should outweigh any minor harm done through demolition of existing lath and plaster walls and internal amendments.
“The proposed works represent a sympathetic, policy-driven intervention that aligns perfectly with the strategic objectives of Sefton Council’s local plan and the Lord Street Living Framework. Rather than harming the asset, the project ensures its long-term survival by tackling the root cause of its decay: vacancy and economic obsolescence.
“By reducing the retail unit to a marketable size and introducing high-quality town-centre living, the development will generate vital local footfall, improve streetscape security, and actively contribute to removing the Lord Street Conservation Area from the Heritage at Risk register.”
In May, Emma Woodall posted: ‘Today is a truly heartbreaking day as Lakeland Leather Southport closes its doors for the final time after 45 wonderful years.
“I want to say a massive thank you for the 11 incredible years I have spent here as a manager.
“We have such a wonderful team that I am going to miss deeply, and our fabulous customers have made every day a joy.
“Thank you all for the memories and for making these last 11 years so unforgettable.”
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