Fate of Suzie’s terrace hangs in the balance
Councillors could order a bar in Southport to remove its terrace this week with planning officers claiming it creates a ‘harmful impact’ on the neighbourhood, despite 2,700 people signing a petition to save it. Andrew Brown reports
A decision will be made this week over whether Suzie’s restaurant in Churchtown in Southport is allowed to keep its terraced area – or has to remove it.
This issue will be debated by councillors at Sefton Council’s Planning Committee meeting at Bootle Town Hall from 6.30pm on Wednesday, July 1. Sefton Council’s Planning officers are recommending councillors to refuse permission.
In their report, they said: “This is a full application (part retrospective) for a single storey extension to the front (Cambridge Road) and side (Manor Road) elevations with ramp access from the corner of the site.
“The application is alternative to a recent application for similar development which was refused in March 2026 and which is the subject of a live appeal.
“The key issues relate to the impact on the living conditions of neighbouring properties, the character and appearance of the Churchtown Conservation Area and highway safety.
“It is considered for reasons within this report that the development creates a harmful impact on the living conditions of neighbouring properties and neither preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the Churchtown Conservation Area. The development is contrary to the Sefton Local Plan.”
The issue has been called in for debate by Meols Ward councillor Gareth Lloyd-Johnson.
More than 2,700 people have signed a petition to save the terraced area at Suzie’s restaurant.
The busy venue, which boasts the logo ‘Eat; Sip; Bloom’, opened on the site of the former Boxtree Cafe / Nursery on the corner of Cambridge Road and Manor Road in November last year, transforming a site which had been vacant for several months.
Suzie’s opened with planning permission for the terrace awning under consideration by Sefton Council. The application has since been refused, with the Suzie’s owners now lodging an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to keep it.
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They said: “Our terrace has become a much-loved part of Churchtown Village. We’re currently appealing a planning decision, in which the council have asked us to remove our terrace awning.
“We would be incredibly grateful for your support. If you’ve enjoyed spending time on our terrace, we’d love it if you could take a moment to sign our petition.”