The former Royal Bank of Scotland building on Liverpool Road in Birkdale could be converted into a pizza takeaway, according to a new planning application. The branch closed in 2018, leaving the village without a bank. In total, seven former bank buildings exist across Birkdale, none of which are used for their original purpose.
Building history and current use
The three-storey building, believed to have been constructed between 1894 and 1911, has offices on its upper floors. A beauty salon once occupied the ground floor, but that space has been empty for over a year. The property is listed as under offer with Mason Owen, subject to the lease on the upper floors, with a sale price of £425,000.
Proposed takeaway plans
The applicant, SK Ltd, seeks to install extraction and ventilation equipment and make minor external alterations to create a takeaway open daily from 11am to 11pm. The company says this will create part- and full-time employment opportunities.
SK Ltd acknowledged Sefton Council’s supplementary planning document, which states that hot food takeaways should not occupy more than 5% of total commercial units in a town or village centre and that a 400m takeaway restriction zone should apply around most schools. Since the building is in the centre of Birkdale and not near schools, the applicant believes it is an appropriate site.
An assessment of takeaways in Birkdale suggests the area exceeds the 5% limit. However, SK Ltd argues the proposed takeaway is well separated from others, with the closest being Village Fish and Chips about 100m away. They added: “Furthermore, the proposals will reinstate an active use in a long-term vacant building within the local centre, within a prominent building, encouraging footfall and benefitting its vitality.”
Community reaction
The applicant promised the development would not increase noise pollution, smell, or general disturbance, and that an odour-neutralising system will be installed. On social media, some residents have called for a banking hub in Birkdale to address the lack of permanent banks. Others say the building is unsuited to a hot food takeaway and should instead be a sit-down restaurant or bar, while another commented that any use is better than leaving it empty.
