JD Wetherspoon has applied to vary the premises licence for its Sir Henry Segrave pub in Southport, as it prepares to open a 29-room hotel above the venue. The pub chain is currently converting the vacant upper floors of the historic building into en-suite guest rooms.
Historic Building Preserved
Plans previously submitted to Sefton Council detailed alterations to the ground-floor pub, including a hotel reception, an extended kitchen area, and refurbishments. JH Architects, the project's architects, have pledged to preserve the building's historic character, particularly its 19th-century heritage. Most of the original exterior will remain untouched, with only limited changes for additional fire exits and a new entrance.
The hotel, located a 10-minute walk from the beach, will feature en-suite rooms within the same building as the bar. Rooms at other Wetherspoon hotels typically cost between £60 and £80 per night, though prices vary based on booking timing. There are currently 55 Wetherspoon hotels across the UK and Ireland.
Licence Variation Application
Planning permission was granted in 2024, and the project is now nearly complete. JD Wetherspoon plc has applied to vary the premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003, seeking to update the licensed layout plan and remove children's hours conditions. The application states no other changes are requested to the existing licence.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon is always keen to add to the facilities for customers at its pubs. We aim to redevelop the existing pub and add a 29 bedroom hotel, which we believe will be a great benefit to the pub, the town, customers and staff.”
Celebrating a Local Legend
The pub, one of the busiest Wetherspoon venues in the region, celebrated its 30th anniversary last September. It is named after Sir Henry Segrave, the world-famous racing driver who set the land-speed record at 152mph in 1926 on Southport's Birkdale Sands in his 350hp 4.5-litre Sunbeam Ladybird.
Adjacent Development Plans
In related news, JD Wetherspoon has also lodged a planning application to develop land adjacent to its Thomas Frost pub on Walton Road. That historic building, once a thriving department store, was named after local entrepreneur Thomas Frost, who transformed it into the T.W. Frost & Co. department store in 1910. The store closed in May 1978 after 97 years of trading.
In 1988, the building was purchased by RD Jenkins & Co Ltd, specialists in industrial sewing machines. Owner Robert Jenkins converted the three-storey building into retail outlets and small factory units, incorporating his own sewing machine business and a bedding and furniture shop. The site now houses the Wetherspoon pub, and the company has applied to use the land on Warden Street as a beer garden.
