This incredible aerial photo of work taking place at the historic Leo’s Bar building in Southport town centre shows the scale of the conservation being undertaken.
The image was taken by Anthony Kavanagh, and shows people hard at work restoring what was originally a Victorian building, before it later received its famous Art Deco frontage for which it is most famous.
Many Southport people will remember the building as the Thorp’s Tavern restaurant, and latterly as the Berni Inn.
It is among a number of developments that people will see taking place in Southport in 2025.
The existing building has most recently been occupied by Leo’s Bar on the ground floor with storage and function rooms on the first floor, but has fallen into severe disrepair in recent years.
The transformation of the former Leo’s building at 42-50 Nevill Street in Southport town centre will bring “significant positive regeneration benefits” to the area.
The scheme is being supported by Heritage Lottery funding and the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.
Sefton Council has approved a planning application to:
- Divide the existing Leo’s bar on the ground floor into one pub and two retail units
- Change of use of the first and second floors to form six new residential dwellings comprising two, two- bedroom flats and four studio flats
The Leo’s Bar building is a Non-designated Heritage Asset and is located inside the Promenade Conservation Area.
The restoration of this ‘critical’ site will bring “significant regeneration benefits” to Southport town centre, according to Sefton Council.
In a council report, Sefton Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie wrote: “The landmark building makes a positive contribution to the character of the conservation area and presents important local, historic and architectural value.
“The site was previously a section of terraced houses and was transformed into an Art Deco building by altering its façade.
“The building has been in poor condition for a number of years and affects the amenity of Nevill Street and the wider town centre.
“Its prominent location at one of the main access points of Southport, together with its impressive façade creates a focal feature. Its condition contributed to the Conservation Area being on the National Heritage at Risk Register.
“The proposals have significant regeneration benefits and it is a critical building of the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.
“The re-use of the vacant upper floors is supported and complies with the Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Area Management Plan, which recognises that more residential accommodation can help sustain the town centre.
“The proposal would make a positive contribution to the character of the conservation area and the building itself. The development will secure the long-term future of the building and its maintenance.
“The original Art Deco architectural features of the front and side elevations will be reinstated, details that have been lost will be recreated and reinstated.
“There are a number of public benefits that the proposals present, including that of the repair and restoration of the building, re-insertion of the original shopfronts, re-insertion of the original window design and bringing the upper floors back into use. The proposals would significantly enhance both the Conservation area and the wider Town Centre as a key aim of the Southport Townscape Heritage Projects.
“The proposed re-development of the site would provide significant positive regeneration benefits.”
A planning application has been submitted for the scheme by Kemal Aslan.
In the application, AWE Architectural Design Consultancy LTD said: “The proposal will enhance the Promenade Conservation Area, add vitality and viability to Southport town centre and will not cause detrimental harm to the amenity of the area.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
