Sefton Council releases new video to encourage developers to consider creating more apartments in Southport’s Lord Street through conversion projects. Tony McDonough reports
Lord Street in Southport town centre is a traditional shopping street containing elegant Victorian architecture.
Now Sefton Council is stepping up its efforts to persuade property developers of the benefits of converting empty upper floors on the historic street into apartments. It wants to see more people living in the town centre.
Sefton has released a new video explaining why such conversion projects have real commercial appeal as part of its Lord Street Living project. The council’s economic growth team highlights the benefits of living at the heart of Southport.
These include easy access to employers, the town’s shops, public transport and a growing range of leisure entertainment venues.
They also cover the positive economic impacts that increasing residential space would have on Southport town centre. And they talk about the support they can provide to building owners and potential investors in Lord Street.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration, Economy & Skills said: “We are working closely with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Historic England on the Lord Street Living initiative, which will help the revitalisation of Southport or its residents, its businesses and its visitors.
“Our shared aim is to encourage the development of vacant spaces above shops on Lord Street while at the same time protecting its rich heritage.
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“We want to hear from building owners and those interested in investing in Lord Street to understand the challenges and discuss how we can support them, and this new video explains some of the ways we can do that.
“Anyone who shares our ambitions for Lord Street Living and Southport can find out more about the scheme at www.lordstreetliving.org or contact the team at Lo***************@********ov.uk.”