Plans have been submitted to transform a decaying building at the heart of a Sefton seaside resort.
The proposals involve significant work to the “tired” art deco style building which sits at 42-50 Nevill Street in Southport. The building until recently housed Leo’s Bar but was previously known as Thorp’s Tavern.
According to planning documents submitted to Sefton Council, the developer has applied for permission to convert the former ground floor bar into three commercial units with a new shop window.
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Plans for the upstairs include transforming a former function room and existing second floor residential units into six flats made up of four studios and two two-bedroom apartments.
A heritage statement produced on behalf of the applicant describes how Nevill Street was built in the 1830s and was originally one of the town’s main thoroughfares leading directly to Southport beach.
However, because of flooding problems, major changes were made to the street in the early 20th century to create a gradual incline pointing away from Lord Street in a bid to prevent ongoing water damage. As a result several of the buildings on the street lost their ground floors, with the first floors then leading on to the streets.
The former Leo’s bar building, which was constructed during the Victorian era, is also understood to have been altered to reflect the new street level. Shortly after, a “clever refacing” of the building added the distinctive art deco façade that is on its exterior today.
The applicant describes it as “one of the most prominent buildings in this part of town ” which appears like an “ultra-modern ‘cinema style’ building.”
While it is not listed, it is recognised as of historical significance, although has suffered considerable damage and decay over the years.
The applicant states the redevelopment of the building will “add vitality and vibrancy” to Southport town centre by bringing all floors back into use, contributing to the council’s wider regeneration aims for the resort.
As part of the designs, major repair works would also be carried out to key parts of the building, including the windows, which were once steel framed but later replaced with “poor quality” time windows that are being to fail.
The steel fire exits at the back of the building have also “suffered very badly” and are in “poor condition” with some of the steelwork having been weakened by corrosion.
The applicant said that overall the building is in need of significant repairs, which would be carried out as part of the plans.
The application is currently open for comments and can be viewed on the council’s planning portal.
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