Community campaigner hits completion mark for northern boulevard verandah restoration

Community campaigner hits completion mark for northern boulevard verandah restoration

A leading Town Centre Campaigner is celebrating after a campaign to restore Southport’s civic heritage has now reached the completion mark for its Victorian Verandah restoration along the northern cross-section of a popular local high street.

David, who formally began his original Community Conservation campaign back in 2015 after compiling a full Town Audit of various defects and structural concerns has revealed that a full mass scale restoration of the grand Debenhams Department Store located at No.535-563 Lord Street shall be commencing the works the week commencing 25/06/18. Scheduled works include a full refurbishment of the impressive fascia frontage and decorative features in addition to the signature 10 cast iron Victorian Verandahs that adorn the walkway there.

He is calling for the Property Owners and their Management Team wherever possible to complement the unique gold on black colour scheme seen at the identically designed Beales Store located just further down the historic road, which it is believed to have been constructed by the same Architect originally based on the near matching structural design.

Having continually lobbied the Retail outlet for several year which has included correspondence exchanges with local, Regional and National levels, the former Councillor is both delighted and grateful to have now secured the support of another prominent name in the town seeking to support the local community. This particular storefrom discussions with senior management forms one of Debenhams “Legacy Stores” that has also graced the local high street for several decades now as a proud piece of the town’s retail sector since the building’s beginnings back in the 1890s.

This civic building is particularly special as it was one of the first “new” buildings to be built on Lord Street during the 1890s after the demolition of the older structural ones back during the 1860s when the seaside town underwent a major industrial epoch.

Mr Barton, who represented Dukes Ward on Sefton Council from 2014-2018, said: “I am personally grateful to Debenhams who not only recognise the need to best showcase this magnificent piece of architecture, but also for the multi fold economic benefits this will derive our coastal town and Borough collectively.”

“It is deeply encouraging to see both Corporates and Independents alike embracing their assets’ civic heritage and once again I can only reiterate the importance of others across both Central and Southern Lord Street to join aboard this exciting community led campaign.

“Should anyone at all require any guidance or support with restoring and/ or maintaining their civic properties across Lord Street or the Promenade, I would urge them to contact myself or the Sefton Conservation Department for additional information on how best to complete the restoration our prized boulevard for all to appreciate and enjoy for generations to come.”