A vacant shop at Central 12 in Southport could soon become a new 24-hour restaurant / hot food takeaway as part of a new resurgence at the busy retail park.
Unit 11 at the site, next door to Costa Coffee and Mountain Warehouse, has been vacant since the Royal Doulton china shop closed in the early 2000s.
Owners of Central 12 believe a hospitality business should be allowed to operate there due to “a lack of interest from retailers over the last two decades, we see no other realistic way of leasing the premises”.
Central 12 was bought in a deal believed to be worth £27 million in May this year by LCP, part of M Core.
Earlier this year, Stand Up For Southport revealed how discount retailer B&M is planning to relocate to the site from its current premises on Lord Street, creating 30 jobs.
A planning application has now been submitted to Sefton Council to change the use of Unit 11 from retail to a restaurant / takeaway use.
Opening hours included in the application are for 24 hours, seven days a week.
Central 12 retail park on Derby Road in Southport including the vacant Unit 11 to the left of the picture (next to Costa Coffee)
No names of any potential restaurant or takeaway operators have been included within the proposals.
In the submission, Tom Wyatt of Harvey Spack Field said:
“The subject premises comprises a retail unit of approximately 4,562 sq ft arranged over ground floor only and is located on Central 12 Retail Park, Southport.
“We understand the subject unit has been vacant for over 15 years following closure of the Royal Doulton store in the early 2000s.
“Despite continuous marketing throughout the years, no previous owner has been able to secure a new tenant.
“Previous recent attempts by the previous owner to secure a tanning salon in part fell away during the course of last year.
“Upon our marketing instruction, Harvey Spack Field (HSF) and McMullen RE (MRE) have focused the campaign on direct discussions with all likely retail occupiers, as well as an open marketing campaign.
“From a review of the result of this marketing campaign and the wider advertising, we found very little demand from retailers with the vast majority of interest coming from quick service food operators.
“Based upon a lack of interest from retailers over the last 15 years, we see no other realistic way of leasing the subject premises without first securing a change of use of Sui Generis (Takeway).
“We trust the above provides a clear picture of the predicament our client is in with the subject premises.”
New owners LCP are currently speaking with national retailers about filling the three vacant units at Central 12, including the one vacated by the former Outfit store and the former Royal Doulton site.
The 13-unit shopping park, located on Derby Road, close to Southport Railway Station, is anchored by an ASDA superstore. It comprises 162,143 sq ft of open convenience retail with retailers including The Range, Poundland, Boots and Next.
The site also has a car park for 636 vehicles.
Central 12 retail park on Derby Road in Southport
It was previously home to the Southport Steamport museum.
Barry Flint, LCP Director and asset manager to the site, said in May:
“Central 12 is a busy retail park with a range of national brands and independent retailers, which has a real community feel to it.
“We’re renowned for our intensive asset management and the team is already on the ground, making several improvements, including updating the public realm.
“We’re speaking to new national retailers and local management about how we can continue to improve the shopping experience for visitors, and are committed to working with the local community to ensure that the park is a positive asset for the area. We hope to announce new retailers very soon.”
Three units are available at Central 12. For all enquiries, contact Barry Flint: BFlint@lcpproperties.co.uk, 07825 138755.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
