Ironshore Global Limited has submitted a planning application to Sefton Council to convert 509-515 Lord Street in Southport into retail units at ground level and nine self-contained apartments (three per floor) in the storeys above
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The owners of an historic Lord Street building which is being restored with support from the Southport Townscape Heritage Project says it “really sets a high standard for subsequent design in Southport town centre”.
Building work is currently taking place at the Grade II Listed 509-515 Lord Street, which sits on the corner of Bold Street, with the ambition of creating two new shop units and nine new apartments.
The shop units have been vacant and in disrepair for several years, while the upper floors have sat empty and unused.
But an ambitious £1million restoration project has been begun, the first major project to be supported by the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.
Paul Halsall, of building owners Lord Street Developments, said:
“Being local to the area and knowing the history of this building it is very satisfying to be able to have the opportunity of giving it a new life.
“This high quality refurbishment which really sets a high standard for subsequent design in Southport town centre.”
The Grade II Listed building at 509-515 Lord Street in Southport is being transformed into new retail units and nine new apartments, through a scheme supported by the Southport Townscape Heritage Project. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
The scheme aims to act as a further catalyst for improvements to the Lord Street and town centre area.
Further down the road, £800,000 investment has been made to refurbish the historic Beales department store, which is due to open to shoppers at 9.30am this Thursday (12th August).
Other new businesses which have opened on Lord Street in recent months include: The Carlton, Skies, Royales, 23 Dental. Plans have also been revealed by Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group to transform the former Grand Casino building into a five star hotel, wedding venue and leisure destination, while the firm is also busy creating new hotel rooms and a stylish roof terrace at The Bold Hotel on Lord Street.
At 509-515 Lord Street, quirky historical features will be lovingly restored over the coming months thanks to Sefton Council and its partners.
The renovation, which is taking place thanks to a significant grant contribution from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will see the building’s heritage features restored as well as the two ground floor retail units being brought back into use.
Work will also take place to create space for nine upper floor apartments.
Key features will include:
– New shop frontage
– Renovation of original stained glass leaded windows
– Refurbishment of original verandah
Lord Street in Southport in 1983, when retail dominated. Shoppers are pictured outside Denise Fashions, on the corner of Bold Street, while a man walks past Casa Italia on the opposite corner.
Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control, said:
“We are very excited to see these works get started and to be able to breathe new life into this iconic building reaffirms our commitment to the regeneration and refurbishment of Southport’s beautiful heritage.
“After months of hard work in the background with design work and planning, we are pleased to see contractors start with what we hope will be the first of many refurbishment projects in the town.”
David Renwick, Director, England, North, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:
“Investing in heritage means investing in the community it belongs to, which is why we are proud to support Sefton Council to restore the Grade II listed 509-515 Lord Street building and kickstart the Southport Townscape Heritage Project, thanks to National Lottery players.
“This important heritage will be preserved to be enjoyed by locals and visitors from further afield, and it will also play a significant role in boosting the local economy and aiding the wider regeneration of Southport.”
At the end of 2019, the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) awarded £1.6 million towards a £2.5 million investment in a heritage-led project to regenerate Southport’s historic town centre over five years.
Sefton Council and Southport BID, with support from partners such as Southport Civic Society and The Atkinson, led the successful funding bid and are now overseeing a programme of property grants for historic buildings, skills training and community activities.
The Southport Townscape Heritage Project focuses on the four key streets linking Southport town centre and the Marine Lake attractions – Coronation Walk, Scarisbrick Avenue, Nevill Street and Bold Street – which sit within the Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Areas.
For further information about the Southport Townscape Heritage project, to follow progress on individual buildings and to learn about related town centre activities allowing people to learn more about the towns’ historic streetscape, take a look at the Southport Townscape Heritage project Facebook page or the dedicated page on the Sefton Council website.
