An historic town centre building could get a surprising new lease of life.
An application has been submitted that would see the building, on Lord Street, Southport, converted into a climbing centre and cafe. Attic level offices are included in the proposals for 339-341 Lord Street, described as one of the town's 'most important listed buildings'.
The building, part of the Albany Buildings along the Victorian high street, was once owned by J Hatch, Sons and Fielding auctioneer, known as Albany Galleries. When it was a gallery, the ground floor was the showroom and the auction room was on the first floor with upper floors believed to have been offices.
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A heritage statement by Sefton Council claims that if the proposers, Craft & Sons don't begin restoration works soon, parts of the building could become irreparable. The statement says: "Internally the building has several significant heritage assets.
"The former first-floor auction room has detailed plastered timber shields - representing Liverpool Football Club - to the walls, and a grand feature timber glass lantern, lighting up the shields. Unfortunately, as a result of water ingress, two shields have deteriorated, causing rot to the timber behind, which has caused another shield to be fully destroyed.
"Further investigation will be undertaken to assess the other shields. If the Craft family did not immediately undertake the initial repairs to the roof, reinstating a glass panel and fixing roof tiles to protect the building from the elements, the internal fabric would have deteriorated even further, eventually beyond repair."
In 2019, Lancs Live published never seen before photos of 341 Lord Street where readers could see the state of the vacant building. The eerie photos show how the building had been left empty, with the tide now turning for the former auction and showroom.
The application was validated on May 17 and is yet to be decided although the arguments presented state the conversion would see the building regularly maintained. The heritage statement concluded it would be "bringing one of Southport’s most important listed buildings back into use for public enjoyment, and for young people".
