It's all change for Chapel Street, Southport!

Work's now started on an ambitious project to transform the former BHS building with a bar/restaurant likely to take up some of the ground floor.

The JSM Company Group plan to convert the three floors above into 30 two-bedroom apartments; one of the ground floor units has been secured by a mobile phone trader and one is under offer by a mystery buyer.

Meanwhile a Tesco Express is set to open near to the railway station, while The Fragrance Shop opened on a previously vacant site last weekend near to the recently opened One Under discount store.

News is hot on the heels of the re-opening of a new-look Southport Market and only weeks after it was revealed that Lord Street will benefit from the Beales store reopening, as well as the former Grand building being converted into a wedding venue with suites, brewery and entertainment centre by the Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group.

The rejuvenation of Chapel Street’s retail offering was welcomed by Southport MP Damien Moore.

He said: “For so long, we have been talking about empty shops so to see all of the changes happening in Southport is really exciting.

“The improvements are bringing confidence back to the resort after the decline of the high streets. Everywhere you look there are shops opening and scaffolding - it’s fantastic to see and success breeds success.

“The £38.5m Town Deal funding for Southport has served as a catalyst for positive change – the Market, which is fantastic and busy, is part of that, for example.

“The news about Beales and the Grand is extremely good and thanks is due to them for highlighting what a great place the resort is to invest in.

“We have to put our money where our mouths are and if we want the much-loved high street to recover and do well, we have to support the high street.

“Southport has it all, great businesses, restaurants, bars and shops and we have to use them all.

“We have to play our part, 100%.

“The fact that so many firms are investing in Southport shows confidence in the resort, that it is somewhere that locals and guests want to be!

“Now is the time to support your town and to enjoy it. Covid has been a huge obstacle for businesses but now could be a renaissance for them and with more people choosing to stay in the UK rather than holiday abroad this year, it could be really good for the town.”

'Legalise' cycling along Capel Street and just look what's happening....coincidence or what! ;-)

Originally Posted by The PNP

'Legalise' cycling along Capel Street and just look what's happening....coincidence or what! ;-)

It's got absolutely nothing to do with cycling now being allowed on Chapel Street, don't make this into something it's not!

I'm all for the extension of cycle lanes, where they make sense (Queens Road for example, but not by the lights at Cambridge Road), but if you want to be taken seriously, at least post sensible comments.

Originally Posted by Sap33

A) It's got absolutely nothing to do with cycling now being allowed on Chapel Street, don't make this into something it's not!

B) I'm all for the extension of cycle lanes, where they make sense (Queens Road for example, but not by the lights at Cambridge Road), but if you want to be taken seriously, at least post sensible comments.

A) Well at least we can say that having more cyclists using Chapel St has done no harm when it comes to attracting new businesses....Btw, I can't help but recall all those negative posts (from others) who, constantly blamed cycle provision/pedestrianisation for the towns 'demise'?

B) Agree about Queens Rd......Disagree about Cambridge Rd. That's a very busy junction used by cyclists, inc youngsters on way to/from local schools. If I was a parent in the area, I know I'd welcome anything that made the junction safer for my kids.

It's vital to get more kids seeing cycling as a valid form of transport. Not only because it's good exercise, but in these Climate Emergency times, because less cars on the school run is good for the environment. Also later on when adults, they will hopefully retain the habit - boosting numbers cycling in future years.