Stand Up For Southport blog by Andrew Brown
The transformation of a key building in Southport town centre is an example of how Sefton Council is working towards removing its six Conservation Areas from the National Heritage at Risk Register.
The council; along with Sefton Townscape Heritage Partnership, worked with Southport-based business Ironshore Global, led by Paul Halsall, to transform 509-515 Lord Street, on the corner of Lord Street in Southport.
Parts of the historic Grade II Listed building had been derelict for several years, one of the town centre’s biggest eyesores.
Today it is home to the Korean Kitchen restaurant and SEP Insurance on the ground floor, with nine luxury apartments on the floors above.
The project has brought new businesses and new employment into Southport town centre, along with new residents, who support local businesses.
The 2023 Sefton Design Awards. Best Overall Scheme
WINNER: 509-515 Lord Street, Southport. Paul halsall and Ironshore Global. Photo by Ollie Cowan Photography
509-515 Lord Street was the overall winner at the inaugural Sefton Design Awards last year.
Other historic buildings are now being looked at with the aim of further improving the Lord Street area, along with the five areas currently on the National Heritage Heritage At Risk Register.
Other inspiring work is also taking place in Southport town centre.
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group has invested millions of pounds into bringing heritage sites back into use such as The Grand, the Lord Street Hotel, The Bold Hotel, Maverick’s and Punch Tarmey’s.
Guests enjoyed the official opening of The Grand in Southport. Photo by Mark Shirley owner of Shift F8 Photography
Building work is currently taking place to restore The Garrick at the other end of Lord Street.
In the centre, Craft & Sons has been working hard on the former Jaegar building, and is due to open a new climbing gym and cafe in the Victorian era Albany Buildings.
Sefton Council itself is currently leading the creation of the £1.5 million new Southport Enterprise Arcade on Eastbank Street, along with a £400,000 restoration scheme at Cambridge Arcade.
It is a carrot and stick approach with the local authority taking enforcement and other legal action over derelict sites and Listed buildings in these areas.
In a report, Sefton Council Cabinet Member Planning & Building Control, Cllr Darren Veidman, said:
“We are continuing to work towards the removal of the six Conservation Areas from the National Heritage at Risk Register. These are:
- Lord Street
- Promenade
- West Birkdale
- North Meols (Southport)
- Christ Church (Waterloo)
- Waterloo Park (Waterloo).
“This includes a number of different work areas including raising their profile through Twitter and Facebook, regeneration funding bids, working with the local community, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans, taking enforcement and other legal action in relation to a number of derelict sites and listed buildings in these areas.
“Progress has been made on a number of Heritage at Risk sites including working with colleagues and partners on a number of council owned Listed Buildings to secure their improvement and long term use and sustainability.
509-515 Lord Street, Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“This year two buildings have been removed from the Heritage at Risk Tegister. These are 509-515 Lord Street, Southport and St. Nicholas Fountain, Blundellsands. 6.3
“This year the Council surveyed 152 of its listed building entries, 27% of the total. This exceeds the target of 20% per year.
“In order to help prevent major repairs to historic homes and to help in the cost of living crisis the Heritage team has now published helpful guidance for homeowners in the maintenance of their property.
“Providing useful bespoke guidance for these important buildings will help prevent deterioration and buildings falling into costly disrepair.
SEP Insurance at 509-515 Lord Street, Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“In order to help deal with the Climate Emergency and the cost of living crisis the Heritage team have also published guidance for homeowners to help them improve energy efficiency in their historic homes and save money.”
Southport Townscape Heritage Project is playing its part in driving improvements in the Lord Street area and surrounding streets.
Cllr Viedman said: “The capital build part of the Southport Townscape Heritage Project is progressing, and discussions continue with owners of targeted buildings.
“The first grant application has now been completed – 509-515 Lord Street. The project restored and repaired a long term vacant Grade II Listed Building and removed it from the council’s Buildings at Risk Register.
The former Jaeger building on Lord Street, Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“The project brought back two vacant retail units into use and converted the vacant upper floors into 9 apartments. This was the overall winner at the Sefton Design Awards which took place in October 2023.
“The second project has now been completed at 4a Bold Street and works includes a new traditional shopfront and tidying up the verandah.
“Further grant offers are in place on Bold Street and large scale improvements should be shown over the next 12 months.
“Discussions are now taking place with the Heritage Fund to extend the project by 12 months.
“The learning and skills activities for Southport Townscape Heritage project have been focused on raising awareness of Southport’s built heritage and include Heritage skills construction events, guided walks and trails with community groups and schools.
“Discussions have taken place on a number of Heritage at Risk sites which are considered to be key strategic sites to find new uses or upgrade them to modern facilities so that they continue to be or find their optimum viable use and save them from further deterioration.”
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