Merseyside has been blessed with some glorious June weather of late and with the sun beating down and the clear blue sky there is nothing better than relaxing in the heat with an ice cold cocktail.
Something many in New Brighton would have been doing on the balcony of the Master Mariner had JD Wetherspoon kept it in business. For those who don't know, the pub chain closed the venue in March 2022 to allow for a £3m revamp of the next door building, the former Lacy's Bar.
But, after being closed for longer than expected, the company made the shock announcement in March this year that the project was being shelved due to a "commercial decision" and they were looking for a buyer for the whole site on Marine Parade. While there may be some who weren't wholly sold on the idea of a Wetherspoons, everyone could agree that pulling the plug on the project and leaving it as a building site was awful news for New Brighton.
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The seaside town has had a difficult past, one I grew up with. But I have fond memories of my youth at the seafront and, perhaps showing my age, a night or two at RJ's.
Since its redevelopment, Marine Point has helped draw people to New Brighton which in turn created an explosion of wonderful independents along Victoria Road. So to see this prime location blighted by the remains of a broken vision from a company like Wetherspoons is crushing.
In my opinion, JD Wetherspoon made a mistake in not sticking with the investment in New Brighton. On the stunningly hot days these past few weeks, every time I look at the empty shell, all I can think of is the missed opportunity.
In my mind, I can see crowds of people chatting at the outdoor tables, couples clinking glasses on the balcony and happy customers coming out after filling up on their famous 'beer and burger' deals. I hope the failure to see the potential in New Brighton is potential that is picked up by the site's new owner who reportedly snapped it up for £500,000 in May.
A bargain if you ask me for such a wonderful location with so many wonderful neighbours, locals and visitors. I hope they know what a deal they got and make the most of it so we could hopefully see people enjoying the sun on the site very soon.
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