Former Toffee tables £20m Bootle leisure proposal

Ex-Everton striker Victor Anichebe’s Lumira Group is forging ahead with plans to build a hotel and sports complex next to the town’s golf course.

Land at the corner of Dunnings Bridge Road and Boundary Road is earmarked for the first phase of a wider development that could incorporate the 125-acre Bootle golf course.

The £20m proposal is to feature a hotel, a modern clubhouse for the golf course, padel courts, five-a-side pitches and a range of leisure, community, and creative facilities such as podcast studios, according to Lumira and partner Sefton Council.

Anichebe’s Lumira entered into an agreement with the local council to deliver the scheme earlier this year.

As part of the partnership, the council and Lumira will also explore a future management agreement for Bootle Golf Course, which could see substantial improvements made to the facility.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Submitting this planning application is an important step in bringing forward our vision for this site and securing significant investment for Bootle.

“What makes this proposal particularly exciting is the breadth and quality of what is being offered. Alongside a new clubhouse and an improved golf course offer, there will be new sports, leisure and community facilities that can benefit local people for years to come.”

Victor Anichebe, founder of Lumira Group, said: “We are pleased to reach this stage and look forward to engaging with local people as the planning process progresses.

“Our ambition remains to create a destination that combines high-quality leisure facilities with meaningful opportunities for the local community, while supporting jobs, investment and long-term growth in Bootle.

“We share Sefton Council’s view on the importance of partnership working, and we share the Council’s enthusiasm for Bootle and its future.”