Plans to convert a historic pub in West Kirby into a shop have been approved by Wirral Council. The application also includes building five new homes on the site.
The former Black Horse pub on Black Horse Hill has had a variety of names and occupiers since it first opened as a pub in the early 1800s. Most recently, the site was home to local café brand, Leaf. However, since Leaf left the site early last year, the building has sat empty, becoming increasingly run-down.
Approved plans and new homes
With the site in need of some TLC, in recent months, both planning and licensing applications have been submitted to Wirral Council with hopes to breathe life back into the historic asset. The submitted planning application has now been approved, therefore granting permission for the building to be used as a shop.
The five new homes, also included in the plans, will be built on the land surrounding the pub building to the north and north west. Part of the site's car park will be used for the homes, with access to the new properties coming from a new road roughly where the current car park entrance is. The entrance for the soon-to-be shop's car park will be closer to the building itself.
Licensing application for Tesco Express
While the planning application has now been given the green light, there is another crucial piece of the puzzle to fall into place before the building's new life can begin. The council has received a licensing application for a Tesco Express to open in the building. The application seeks permission for the small supermarket to be open between 6am and midnight seven days a week.
The ECHO recently found there is a mixed set of views within West Kirby regarding Tesco's plans. Local resident, Steve Harrison would rather see it continue as a restaurant or pub. He told the ECHO: "It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing. It would be lovely to have a nice restaurant or pub but nothing ever seems to work."
Local ward councillor, Jenny Johnson, said she would welcome Tesco into the town despite the "dream" being another pub or restaurant. Overall, Cllr Johnson said she'll be pleased to see the building back in use, adding: "Something has got to be done. It is in a state of disrepair."
