Liverpool city region security and construction business EFT Group secures planning consent to build a new headquarters and a number of light industrial units. Tony McDonough reports
Sefton Council has granted planning consent for a new Southport headquarters for security and construction business EFT Group.
In May the firm submitted its full planning application for the scheme to Sefton Council. EFT operates two divisions covering home security and automation, construction and domestic and commercial electrical services.
With annual revenues of around £19m, EFT employs 147 local people and has outgrown its current premises at Cobden House, on Cobden Road in Southport due to its growing success.
It has worked closely with Sefton Council as it bids to build a premises within three large units (plots F, G and H) on a 2.09-hectare site at Southport Business Park, on Wight Moss Way, Southport, to enable it to grow and provide more skilled employment opportunities locally.
This development would also include 26 light industrial units, which would support several small starter / hybrid units to encourage further economic activity in the town.
The site, which has remained vacant for more than a decade, has historically presented significant development challenges including difficult ground conditions.
Stewart Meechan, director of EFT Group, said: “As a local family company, we are proud of our roots in Southport. This development reflects our commitment to the area and our belief in its future.
“With this investment EFT Group is firmly bedding our roots into Southport for the next 50 years, creating a lasting base for our business, our employees and the next generation of workers across Sefton.
“Securing planning permission is a hugely important milestone for everyone who has worked hard to bring this development forward.”
The project is also the subject of a live funding bid to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which would help unlock the next phase of delivery.
It has also been supported by a Section 106 contribution linked to Aldi’s investment in Southport, helping unlock the delivery of new employment space at Southport Business Park.
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Cllr Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, added: “This is fantastic news for Southport and another clear demonstration of the confidence that the private sector has in Sefton’s economic future.”
Subject to further arrangements construction on the development is due to start in 2027.