Southport Back in Time Unique place to live
THE £1million transformation of one of Southport ‘s grandest buildings is nearing completion, offering unique opportunities for local businesses and people seeking a new home.
Over the past year local firm Ironshore Global has been leading the redevelopment of 509-515 Lord Street, which stands on the corner of Bold Street, with the ambition of creating two new shop units and nine new luxury apartments.
The four-storey scheme is due for completion around the end of April, with the owners already fielding inquiries from interested parties keen to move into the apartments, or to occupy the two retail units – which can be merged into one larger space if required.
The project has been supported by the Southport Townscape Heritage Project, English Heritage, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sefton Council, Southport BID and others.
It offers some truly unique features, with the conservation of this historic Grade II Listed building key to its success. It is situated within the Lord Street Conservation Area.
It was built in 1905, with shops on the ground floor. Madam Luna, a ‘fancy goods dealer’, was one of the first occupants. The upper floors have been used as taylor’s workrooms, storage and offices.
Many people will remember it from the 1960s, when the retail units were occupied by Dolcis shoes and Robins, ladies and children’s outfitters; or by Denise Fashions in the 1980s.
509-515 Lord Street is the only Southport town centre building with its own wraparound verandah, with the glass windows curving around the corner of Lord Street and Bold Street – due to be unveiled in the next few days – something to really wow visitors.
The building couldn’t be better located, thanks to last year’s £38.5million in Town Deal funding from the government and the substantial private investment which is already flowing into Southport as a result.
Ironshire Global Managing Director
Paul Halsall said: “We are nearing completion now. We began work in March last year and are looking at around another eight to twelve weeks, finishing this project around the end of April, for both the apartments and the retail units.
“If anyone is interested in finding out more about either, they are welcome to get in touch.
“We are not really looking for bars to come in, although we have already had a few approaches.
“These units are each 900 sq ft in size – we could combine them into one unit – would be much more suitable for retail, or perhaps as a convenience store, which would be busy with so many people now moving to live or stay in Southport town centre.
“These units are going to look magnificent when the new Victorian style wraparound shopfront comes in. There is nothing else in Southport quite like this.
“This building also has one of the only Victoria cantilevered verandahs in the UK. It is unique in being the only building on Lord Street where the verandah is supported from above by tie rods. All the others are supported by cast-iron pillars.
“We have sourced Cumbrian green slate for the roof.
“We have created replica stained glass leaded windows on the side elevations, the craftsmanship is superb.
“This building has real character to it.
“We have been working very closely on this project with bodies including
English Heritage, Sefton Council and the Southport Townscape Heritage Project. The renovation has also been supported through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“The Southport Townscape Heritage Project has provided boards to the front of the building which explain all about the building’s history and what we are creating here.
“There are some magnificent buildings in Southport which have disappeared over the years. We are very proud of what we are achieving here, enhancing the appeal of Lord Street. Every time you look up on Lord Street you see something different.”
The transformation of the building has been startling to see. The previous ground floor shop units had sat vacant and in disrepair for several years, while the upper floors remained empty and unused. Ironshore Global and its contractors have been working hard to bring this historic building back into use.
Paul Halsall said: “There is huge investment happening in Southport at the moment.
“The high street is evolving. It is becoming more leisure and experience-led. But retail will always do well. Shopping is a much better experience on the high street than online, when you can physically go in and try something on or see first hand what it is really like.
“One of the big successes on the high street in recent years has been Lush, they are brilliant. Their products are excellent and their staff are