A worrying number of shops on our high streets sit empty - but how much would it actually cost to bring them back into use?
Around a fifth of all shops in Southport town centre are currently empty, according to a review commissioned by Sefton Council, while in Bootle that figure is closer to a quarter.
The review, conducted by consultants Nexus Planning, highlighted Southport as a particular concern, noting the loss of a number of large stores in recent years including Debenhams, BHS and H&M.
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Changes in how we shop mean there is less footfall - and the coronavirus pandemic has made things worse.
Rents and rates can usually add up, meaning anyone wanting to take on the empty units risks losing a substantial sum if their venture doesn't pay off.
As some of our iconic high street units sit empty, we look at how much the rents actually are in different parts of Sefton.
Formby Village
Barclays on Chapel Lane closed its doors for good last month.
The banking giant said a number of reasons led to the decision - including some 82% of customers doing their banking online or by telephone, and only 96 customers using the branch extensively for their banking.
Listed as a "character building situated in a highly prominent location", the building is now on the market with Cheetham and Mortimer estate agents.
The ground floor is a "sales and staff" area, while the first floor is a "staff and storage" area with a WC.
Asking rent for the premises is £4,375 per calendar month - for a 3,349 square foot space.
Further down Chapel Lane, at number 20, another former shop is up for rent.
Formerly a gift and card shop, the property sits between a Caffe Nero and an assisted living company.
The retail area, according to a listing on Rightmove, is "primarily open plan with suspended ceiling" and there is a WC on the first floor.
On the market with Fitton Estates, the 1,430 square feet space could be yours for £1,833 per calendar month.
Southport
Two empty buildings that sit beside each other on Southport's Lord Street are currently on the market with Mason Owen.
A 400 sq. ft space at 429 Lord Street - formerly Tie Rack - is currently listed for £25,000 rent per year.
A Zoopla listing describes the space as a "well-proportioned ground floor retail area" in a "prosperous coastal resort".
Next door, at number 427, the former Café Parisien site is also on the market.
The "Unique Grade II listed wine bar and restaurant" is said to be "situated in the heart of Lord Street, comprising a former banking hall and currently arranged as a wine bar incorporating mezzanine level".
The rental cost is listed as £80,000 per annum.
Bootle
A number of retail spaces within Bootle's Strand shopping centre are currently up for rent - but their prices are a mystery.
Barker Proudlove estate agents are advertising shops of various sizes - from 929 to 9,788 sq. ft, all listed as "price on application".
Sefton Council bought the shopping centre in 2017, in a deal believed to have cost around £32m.
The purchase saw the shopping centre return to local ownership for the first time in many years.
Sefton council has said none of the money used to buy the Strand has come from council tax payers.
Instead, the deal was fully funded through a loan and comes at no expense to Sefton's residents.
Seaforth and Litherland
A shop on Seaforth Road, flanked by Utopia beauty salon and Family Dentist, is currently on the market with Lyons Estates.
Listed for £400 per month, it is said to be "close to other local amenities and public transport links" and has an office, kitchen and toilet facilities as well as the retail space.
Another shop on Linacre Road - formerly Annie Mc's Alterations - is also on the market with Lyons, for £400 per month.
The property comprises the retail unit, office area and toilet facilities to the rear, and there are electric roller shutters.
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