Leisure scheme plotted at Bootle Golf Course
Sefton Council has entered into partnership with ex-Everton player Victor Anichebe’s Lumira Group to bring a hotel, clubhouse and more to a vacant plot next to the facility.
In the longer term, the plan is for the golf course itself to be improved as part of the project.
Lumira Group will lease unused land at the corner of Dunnings Bridge Road and Boundary Road to deliver a new leisure development.
Proposals, which will go out for consultation ahead of a planning submission, are expected to include a modern clubhouse, hotel, padel courts, and a range of leisure and community facilities including a podcast space.
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.
According to Sefton, Lumira could bring around £20m of private investment to transform the community asset.
Under any agreement, green fees for existing members, residents, juniors and over 65s will remain affordable, with any changes subject to the council’s established fees and charges process.
Existing public rights of way will be maintained, alongside new security enhancements, and any management agreement will ensure that staff currently working at Bootle golf course are not negatively impacted.
Pending planning, early phases of work could begin this year.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for Bootle. Working with a committed and ambitious partner will help us bring new facilities, new investment and real community benefits to this important site.
“We want to ensure Bootle Golf Course continues to be a valued and affordable asset for local people, and this partnership approach offers a positive way forward.”
Anichebe said: “I’m incredibly proud to be leading this investment in Bootle, a place close to my home and heart. Our vision is to create a development that brings global expertise together with local passion, opening new opportunities for residents here in Sefton.
“We have seen the Council’s exciting plans for the Strand, Salt and Tar, and Town of Culture, and we want to be part of that. Like those projects, this project is about meaningful community engagement, long term local employment and helping to build a place people can be proud of.”
nice
By Anonymous
Podcast studio? Vital local infrastructure going in then, and a box ticked somewhere.
Wider development looks promising but the improvements to the actual public golf course, which the council left to run down over a long period, should be built in at the start as planning gain rather than being a possible future aspiration, given we know how poor Sefton is at actually delivering stuff.
Without any commitment from Cllr Atkinson and friends, it just looks like freeing up a development site with the capital receipt disappearing into the general budget.
By Seve Bootlesteros
@12.42pm, a project like this will be a catalyst to future development and boost the use of the golf element.
Victor is a local lad so good on him and his partners.
By Anonymous
Anon 4.40 – Catalyst? Like the up to now imaginary new theatre/convention centre in Southport and occasional nostalgia acts where the rest of the Strand used to be?
My point stands – what is the capital receipt going to Sefton Council (unless they are giving away the site for free…) and why can’t it be specifically committed to improving the golf course rather than some vague aspiration for the future?
I wasn’t even questioning the track record of delivery by Lumira Group Holdings Ltd, or Lumira Group (Bootle Golf Course) Ltd, both registered with Companies House just 6 months ago with the local lad as sole Director, although hopefully Sefton have made some enquiries…
By Seve Bootlesteros
I wonder how long it will take before the price of membership increases to such a high amount that it pushes local people out and those from affluent areas in.
By Anonymous