Councillors and Wesley Street traders welcome Tulketh Street development approval

A major redevelopment of the former Waitrose/Morrisons building on Tulketh Street, Southport, was passed by Sefton Borough Planning Committee last night.

Deputy Lib Dem Leader and town centre councillor Tony Dawson said:

“This is good news for the town in what has been a very difficult time.

“Wesley Street traders in particular have been battling for years to counter the massive drop in foot-fall on Tulketh Street and its car parks after Morrisons and then Waitrose left. I very much hope that the development proceeds apace which will bring more people in.”

The Tulketh Street site has been a huge thorn in the resort’s side for years having also previously been home to Morrisons, Lewis of Southport, Brand Interiors, and Wynsors World Of Shoes.

The building has been lying empty since it was abandoned by Brand Interiors in May 2015, but sports equipment and clothing retailer, Sports Direct, will now lease it for the next ten years and look to transform it into one of their new state-of-the-art fitness centres.

Often been described as cursed ever since it was put up for sale by Morrisons in 2004, the building has failed to hold down any occupant for any length of time.

Ongoing talks between Cheetham and Mortimer, who are advertising the property on behalf of the landowner and Sports Direct were finalised on Friday (Februay 5) and contracts were signed – meaning bosses can now set about putting together their action plan for the Tulketh Street site.

It is thought that Sports Direct will transform the building into a gym and retailing unit – making the most of the 68,000 square foot space in a deal which would see them lease the building until 2026.

The sports company already have a retail outlet in Southport based at Central 12.

Once a thriving area of town when occupied by Morrisons Supermarket, the building has found itself on the market four times in the last twelve years. Waitrose departed in favour of a move to Formby and the building was left unattended for six years before the next occupant moved in. This building sits close to the towns derelict news paper building which sadly closed down and moved to central offices in Liverpool city centre.