Campaign wins pub a stay of execution
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a Southport pub from demolition have been given more time after Sefton Council delayed a decision on its future.
An application to demolish the Blundell Arms in Upper Aughton Road, Birkdale, went before the council’s planning committee last week, only for a decision to be delayed until the next meeting.
Jason McCormack, who lives near the venue, is leading a campaign group fighting to reopen it as a community pub and dementia cafe.
Jason issued an emotional plea for the committee to delay the decision so that he could raise funds to reach a compromise with the developer, explaining that his proposals would allow the pub to remain open with a smaller number of houses built next to it.
The committee requested a viability report and deferred making a decision while it awaits the report. It is expected that the application will next be considered in November, though the group hope to raise enough funds to complete a deal with owner Steve Gascoigne before then.
They hope they can recruit a large number of small shareholders to raise the funds needed to push through the plans.
Helen Green, a nurse involved with the group, explained that the plans would involve “a community resource hub that offers access to all the various agencies those touched by dementia will come into contact with in one place”.
She explained: “[It will] provide a relaxed, non clinical setting that will reduce social isolation and carer stress by providing meaningful activity and peer support.
“Offering support from an Admiral nurse and guest speakers, the resource will provide medical, legal and practical advice and support. This will be free of charge and take place on a regular basis so is easily accessible.”
After the meeting, Jason said: “Sefton Council planning committee have requested a viability report and have deferred making a decision while they await the report.
“There was a suggestion that this will take around one planning cycle. The committee is likely to require a further planning cycle to examine the detail.
“We were hoping the committee would allow us 12 weeks to raise the money to buy and renovate the pub.
“We have seven weeks to find 500 people who want to co-own a pub and have £250 spare to chip in. There’s still a long way to go.”
If you can help, visit The Blundell Arms Community Pub on Facebook or www.blundellarms.pub