A multimillion-pound deal has been agreed for the sale of the former European HQ of Johnsons The Cleaners in Merseyside.
The building and the huge, five-acre site on Stanley Road, Bootle, has been acquired by Sefton-based Sovini Group and will now be turned into a residential development consisting of over 100 homes.
Sovini bought the site from Liverpool-based Ascot Group, which was established in the city in 1988 and is headed up by local businessman Terry Riley.
READ MORE: 'Death knell' for small businesses as new parking charges to be introduced in Wirral
Ascot first purchased the land in 2017, as part of its local and national strategies to promote housing and business developments. The firm said it is now keen to support Sovini’s plans to create the development.
A spokesman said: ‘We have a proud heritage of being involved in developments which support social housing and infrastructure for over three decades.
"We proudly promote the work being done by the Sovini Group in this key zone in North Liverpool, which has been in acute need of investment and support.
"Through our work of acquiring the site, and now Sovini’s in developing it, we know from our wealth of experience that providing affordable, high quality housing, via companies who are based locally and know the needs of the area, lifts a community at every level, leading to a ripple effect of social benefits, which attract retailers, leisure facilities and all of the follow-on employment opportunities involved.
This site’s proposed plans will include 38 one-bedroom apartments, 26 of them affordable rent-to-buy, and 39 two-bedroom apartments, 19 of which will be affordable rent, and 20 rent-to-buy. It will include 28 two-bedroom and 18 three-bedroom houses.
The spokesman continued: "We look forward to seeing this Stanley Road development’s contribution to the regeneration of the Bootle district, and we know that Sovini Group will do an outstanding job in terms of innovative design, build quality, accommodation choice and overall affordability."
