Old bank building to get new life as burger restaurant

An unused building once home to a bank is due to be transformed into a new burger establishment just off Southport high-street.

Smack Hamburgers, based in Southport, has been given the go-ahead to transform the old Co-operative Bank on London Street, Southport into a burger restaurant and takeaway. The new addition to Southport's town centre is expected to bring a number of new jobs to the town.

In his report on the planning application, Sefton council's chief planning officer Derek McKenzie expressed some initial concern that the transformation, which would see a new and possibly noisy ventilation system installed at the back of the shop, would create a disturbance for those living above and around the restaurant. This was not deemed an issue due to the "commercial nature of the town centre" in which it is based and a condition of the approval being that "sound insulation" is installed before it opens.

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The restaurant and takeaway would be open from 11am until 11pm, every day of the week including Sundays and bank holidays. There has been no information given about when the works will begin, though they must be completed by Sunday, May 25 2025.

Muse Architects, based in Manchester, are designing the restaurant. The existing space, which is still laid out as it would've been for the bank with multiple interview rooms and counters, will be converted to an open-plan room with five booths and 10 separate tables.

The ground floor of the building beside the proposed lay-out of the new Smack Hamburger restaurant (Muse Architects)

Concluding his report, Mr McKenzie said: "The proposal is acceptable in principle and will not cause any harm to the character and appearance. The proposal will not cause significant harm to the living conditions of occupiers of neighbouring properties and will not result in any highway safety issues.

"The proposal complies with the aims and objectives of the Local Plan and all other material considerations, including the National Planning Policy framework. The proposal is recommended for approval subject to conditions."

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