Way cleared for new B&M in Southport
Sefton Council has approved a planning application to merge two units at Central 12 Shopping Park so that the variety retailer can open a second store in the town.
Central 12 Shopping Park sits off Derby Road in Southport. The units that would merge are a former Outfit and Sports Direct.
Trading at Outfit’s Central 12 Shopping Park location stopped in January 2021, while the old Sports Direct store has been vacant since 2016. Combined, the two shop units boast an internal area of 34,200 sq ft.
Central 12 Shopping Park owners Aviva Investors Pensions are leading the charge to bring the two vacant units together, after agreeing heads of terms with B&M to take the space. JLL is the agent and planning consultant on the deal.
Under the proposals, the mezzanine floor of one of the old Sports Direct would be removed. This would reduce the internal area of the store by around 8,000 sq ft. While B&M would take away from the internal area, it would add space elsewhere – creating a 2,800 sq ft outdoor garden centre.
According to Aviva’s application, B&M would create 45 jobs in the area.
B&M’s store off Lord Street will continue to operate. The lease on that property does not expire until December 2025.
The approved planning application’s reference number with Sefton Council is DC/2021/02839. Sefton Council approved the application at its planning committee meeting on Wednesday.
