Local leaders are pressing the owners of the former Old Roan pub site to begin construction, as residents grow frustrated with the empty plot. The pub, a landmark in Aintree for over a century, was demolished in December 2023 after years of dereliction, but no development has followed.
Historic Pub Reduced to Vacant Lot
The Old Roan, built in 1908, was a familiar sight for generations of train passengers on the northern line between Ormskirk and Liverpool. It closed in 2013, was purchased by developers in 2021, and demolished last year. Planning permission has been granted for a three-storey block of flats, but work has not started.
Council Leader Speaks Out
Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson told the ECHO she has asked officers to contact the developer for a timeline. She said the site is one of the most common complaints from locals. “The pub was once at the heart of the community,” she said. “Now it’s a blight on a beautiful area.” She described the empty plot as a “poor reflection on such a vibrant and proud community.”
Atkinson noted that the council has limited power to force action, as planning permission was granted over a year ago. “We need to know when development will commence,” she said. “Come on, let’s get cracking.” She highlighted the need for apartments in the area and stressed the site is brownfield, avoiding green belt land.
Residents Share Frustrations and Memories
Local residents voiced mixed feelings. Derek, 83, said developers should include timescales in planning applications to prevent land banking. He lamented the demolition: “They shouldn’t have knocked it down. It was a landmark; it’s history.”
William Boardman, 71, recalled his parents meeting at the pub and said, “As long as they use it, it doesn’t matter what it is. Just make use of it instead of it looking dreadful.”
A local barber noted that customers often ask about the site’s fate. Another resident said, “I think everyone’s fed up waiting to see what happens.”
Planning permission requires work to begin within three years, giving the developer until January 2028. The ECHO attempted to contact the site’s planning agent for comment.
