A former Mecca Bingo and iconic theatre could be transformed into a hotel and spa.
The Garrick Theatre on Lord Street, Southport, was bought in 2021 after it was left vacant by Mecca Bingo. The building was initially set to go up for auction but after several offers, it was removed from the market and sold.
Now, a planning application has been submitted to Sefton Council by Garrick Southport Ltd. The ambitious plans for the theatre, built in 1932, include a hotel with 137 rooms, 11 residential apartments, a spa and restaurant, and a complete refurbishment of the existing auditorium.
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The planning application said: “The proposal is for the conversion of the building into high quality, spa hotel and residential accommodation, with retail to ground floor and an event space within the auditorium.
"The building itself has been identified as the ‘star’ asset, and the proposals have been based on retaining, refurbishing and enhancing the key features and detailing, with a light touch, whilst ensuring that the project is viable."
Before the Garrick was built in 1932, the site was home to an opera house which was destroyed in a fire. The theatre has been used as a bingo hall under different names since 1963.
The planning application added: "At the first-floor level, apartments will be provided along the Lord Street side of the building, replacing an existing corridor, and a series of apartments will be constructed within the fly tower, with an access stair, and new fenestration.
"On the third floor, the raked seating will also be replaced with tables, and the suite of former office spaces overlooking Kingsway will be converted to rooms, with the existing circulation space retained.
"The fly tower will have a series of rooms located on the third floor. The fourth floor is proposed to accommodate further rooms in the existing roof space, and further rooms within the fly tower, with private and public terraces overlooking the promenade at the existing roof level."
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