Bid to rejuvenate iconic shopping boulevard through innovative residential scheme

Southport is bidding to breathe new life into its famous Lord Street boulevard by encouraging residential use of empty upper floor retail spaces.

The move is through an innovative scheme by Sefton Council and environmental champion, Historic England.

The Lord Street Living project, which launches in August, is a regeneration initiative that looks to help landlords and developers transform vacant first and second floor spaces of privately-owned properties into potential residential accommodation.

This will help to aid the transformation of vacant spaces, ultimately leading to the enhancement and further protection of Lord Street’s long standing architectural beauty.

The project is also expected to boost the local economy and help breathe new life into Lord Street.

Sefton Council, backed by Historic England and the Liverpool City Region, will look to work with landlords and property owners along the iconic boulevard to unlock its untapped potential.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways, said: “Lord Street is known for its impressive architecture and we hope that through this project it will see a rejuvenation that preserves its charm while adapting to modern needs.

“This initiative is supported by central government and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, aiming to make a positive and lasting impact on Southport.

“By converting unused spaces above shops into high standard residential accommodations, the project seeks to improve the local economy, environment, and community wellbeing.”

Former Lord Street resident of more than 28 years, Ollie Cowan, 33, said: “I think this is an incredibly positive idea.

“I was born and raised on Lord Street above the shops and my family still happily live there. Prior to it being transformed into a residential space in the late 20th century, the area in our building was storage for a number of shops.

“In fact, you could walk from one end of the block to the other in some cases.”

He added: “Lord Street has a wonderful residential community that not a lot of people know about and it will be brilliant to see even more potential unlocked by the Lord Street Living Project.”