Verandahs renovation campaign celebrates a year of success
A campaign to renovate Lord Street’s iconic Verandahs and showcase Southport’s unique heritage is celebrating a year of successes.
The campaign was launched 12 months ago by Cllr David Barton, a leading campaigner for the restoration and improvement of the town centre.
He has now revealed that in the last year:
* Of the entire 313 Lord Street Verandahs, including structures directly leading onto adjacent town centre side streets, 52% have been completely restored on a like-for-like basis as per the original design.
* 65% of the Verandahs have been either fully or extensively restored.
* 85% of the Verandahs have had some form of partial restoration such as maintenance of the glass canopy overhead or repainting and/ or sanding of the structural framework including the Grecian style columns and ornamental work.
Other successes include the correcting of errors which have remained for many years, such as the missing black abacus heads along Central Lord Street.
Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward, said: “This ongoing campaign has helped to drive inward investment into Southport by encouraging the adoption of formerly empty units as well as showcasing wonderful community spirit together with the initiative of local businesses.
“I have been in touch with Sefton Council’s Conservation and Tourism departments on a continuous basis to negotiate the refurbishment work necessary to improve and maintain the appearance of these distinguished works of architecture.
“I would like to thank all the owners and leaseholders who have already started working with Sefton Council for the greater good of our local community as we strive to regenerate our resort town for local residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Large scale restoration of this magnitude has not been carried out in the town since 1985 and Cllr Barton revealed that the owners of those Verandahs yet to undergo work have been contacted and negotiations are underway to begin work as soon as possible.
Cllr Barton added; “This is a continuing journey to restore the signature high street of Southport which has been well received amongst local residents, businesses and people of all ages who visit Southport helping to enhance the town’s Classic Resort image.”
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