A historic Sefton building which has been a shop since the 1870s could soon become a wine bar under new plans.
A planning application has been submitted to Sefton Council on behalf of Craft and Sons, to change the building at 479 Lord Street in Southport into a wine bar with three studio flats.
The Grade II building, which was purpose-built as a shop in 1877, was previously occupied by fashion outlet Jaeger until it closed in 2017, with a furniture shop later opening on the site, although that too shut down in 2022.
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According to planning documents, the proposals would involve creating three flats at the rear of the building to be accessed from an existing communal area for flats on upper floors.
Blocked out windows would be reinstated as well as work done on restoring sash windows at the site, if plans are approved.
Although there is no parking proposed as part of the redevelopment, the applicant states there are short stay parking facilities nearby as well as longer stay car parks in the vicinity as well as strong transport links due to the buildings central location.
The front of the premises would be converted into a wine bar, using existing access on Lord Street.
According to a report submitted as part of the application, the aim of the conversion would involve "bringing life back into one of Lord Street’s historically significant buildings" a move the developers said will help contribute to the town's economy.
The application is currently open for comments and can be viewed online.
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