Demolition plan for old restaurant is thrown out

PROPOSALS to demolish a vacant former Southport restaurant and replace it with a 23-space car park have been dismissed by Sefton Council.

The former Rueters restaurant and bar at 26 Hoghton Street in Southport town centre has been vacant for two years with owners unable to attract any new tenants to operate the building as a hospitality venue.

Bella Homes submitted a planning application for the site in February to demolish the building and create a 23-space car park, arguing there is a substantial need for car parking in Southport town centre.

Dozens of car parking spaces were lost along Hoghton Street when cycle lanes were installed in 2022.

A spokesperson for Bella Homes, speaking earlier this year, said: “The pedestrianised areas in the centre of Southport and expansion of cycle lanes are great for people on foot or on bicycles.

“But those who have no option but to travel into town by car have, as a result, been penalised and have fewer options for where they can park safely.”

Sefton Council’s planning officers, however, say the building is an important part of Southport’s heritage and must be maintained.

The property was built as a detached Victorian villa in the 19th century.

The former Rueters building itself is undesignated but adjoins the Grade II listed 22-24 Hoghton Street and the similarly listed

Hoghton Chambers further along the street.

In a report dismissing the application, Sefton Council’s planning team said: “The settings of the listed buildings that the proposals would harm is that of Hoghton Chambers and more specifically Nos 22 and 24 Hoghton Street, both properties are mid to late 19th century and carry national significance.

“There are only three buildings between these listed buildings and these three buildings are of similar Victorian design.

“Together they form a cohesive group and add to the value and distinctiveness of the local streetscene.

“Therefore, to demolish one, specifically that of No 26, and replace it with a car park and gap would have a large negative impact on their settings and the local street-scene.

“This impact would degrade the listed buildings significance and their settings leaving an unattractive gap site.

“The council has a duty to protect the significance of its heritage assets including its settings and prevent any harmful losses or changes.

“The proposals do not respect the special architectural or historic interest of the buildings.

“The demolition of the building for a car park negatively affects the building’s settings and fails to respect and conserve the positive existing relationship between the listed buildings and its surroundings.

“In addition, it is considered that there would not be any significant public benefits to the proposal that would outweigh this harm to the settings of the listed buildings.”

Correspondence has been sent to Sefton Council from residents from over 50 addresses in Southport with objections regarding impact on historic character, loss of architectural/historic building, erosion of Victorian/Edwardian character and more.

Rueters announced its closure on May 29, 2022, as award-winning operator Matt Howard, who was previously awarded the Publican of the Year title by Punch Pubs, paid tribute to his “amazing team”.

Matt blamed the rising costs facing the hospitality industry for Rueters’ closure.

Since then, the building has fallen into increasing disrepair with a lack of interest to find a new operator to take over the premises.

Bella Homes wanted to breathe new life into the site by creating much-needed parking facilities in the area.

A spokesperson for Bella Homes said earlier this year: “The pedestrianised areas in the centre of Southport town centre and expansion of cycle lanes are great for people on foot or on bicycles.

“But those who have no option but to travel into town by car have, as a result, been penalised and have fewer options for where they can park safely.

“Roads formerly offering an abundance of on-street parking have been lost to the expansion of the pedestrian and cycle areas and as a result have restricted the options to car users.

“The pedestrianised areas are designed to restrict traffic in the town centre but with many shoppers travelling into town from further away than they can walk, the need for designated off-road parking is still greatly needed and sadly lacking.

“The former Rueters bar on Houghton Street has sat vacant for two years.

“After falling into disrepair and with lack of offers for anyone wanting to rejuvenate the venue as a bar/eatery, plans have now been submitted to utilise the space to create a secure off-road car park, within a short stroll of Southport town centre.

“With nearby businesses already expressing an interest in securing spaces on the site, it is clear that the demand is there for such a site, both for those working in the town centre as well as shoppers.”

‘The proposals do not respect the special architectural or historic interest of the building ... any benefits do not outweigh the harm’