Southport residents and businesses united in bid to protect landmark building

Southport residents and businesses united in bid to protect landmark building

Scores of Southport residents and more than 20 local businesses have joined forces to try and protect a 90-year-old landmark building from demolition.

Cllr David Barton, who is leading the campaign, said the depth of feeling about the future of the site at the rear of the Jewish Synagogue at Arnside Road showed how proud local people were of the town’s heritage.

Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes ward, is a leading campaigner for the restoration and regeneration of Southport.

He said he got involved in the campaign against the proposed housing development on the site after being contacted by resident Mr Roger Hargreaves, who has lived next door for more than 20 years.

Cllr Barton said: “The building was established here in 1926, making it 90 years old and has been a structural landmark with a fascia reminiscent of the original frontages along Lord Street.

“Aside from concerns about what the new development will look like and its full long- term impact on the area, residents, businesses and the wider community have now joined forces to try and protect this piece of civic heritage and more a thousand objection forms opposing the plans are due to be handed in to Sefton Council this week.”

Cllr Barton said he had spoken to more than 24 businesses which include a wide variety of age ranges of people which have pledged their support against the housing development.

He said: “I am very grateful to everyone who is supporting the campaign to support the Arnside Road area community, especially considering the restrictive time limits placed upon us all.”

Mr Hargreaves said: “With the help of Cllr Barton, we have acted in earnest to do our part as a local neighbourhood and can only ask for people wishing to support us to contact either myself or Cllr Barton.”

Liverpool and the surrounding area has one of the oldest provincial Jewish settlements in the UK and Jewish figures have played a leading part in life in Southport for hundreds of years.

** Whilst the official deadline date for the Consultation Process is this coming Thursday 22nd December noon myself and Mr Hargreaves shall be hand-delivering the paperwork on Wednesday to allow for any later returns despite an initial deadline being stated as noon today (Monday). We are once again very grateful to everyone supporting us, including the Manchester Road area who have once again pledged their support.

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