As reported in our last Newsletter, Lidl UK propose to refurbish the former Abbey Cinema building - using the ground floor as a supermarket and 'mothballing' the remainder. Various architectural features will be restored, and the whole building will be made safe and weathertight. Liverpool City Council's Planning Department has asked us for our views on Lidl's planning application (ref.22F/2152) and this is how our Chairman has responded on behalf of the Society's Committee:

1. Wavertree needs a supermarket on this site. The Lennons/ Gateway/ Somerfield/ Co-Op supermarket which occupied the former Abbey Cinema building between 1981 and 2020 was of great benefit to the local community, especially those without the use of a car.

2. The site deserves a building of the highest quality. It is a key location within the Wavertree Village Conservation Area, close to historic buildings including the Coffee House pub, the former Lamb Inn, the Picton Clock Tower and the 18th-century Lock-up. We objected to Lidl's original plan (for a new-build supermarket following demolition of the former cinema building) because the proposed design was not good enough. As Historic England's official List Description demonstrates, the Abbey Cinema building is a building of architectural quality, adding character to the conservation area though very different in style from the buildings around it.

3. The refurbishment and future maintenance of the building will be key to the success of the project. When we consulted our members on Lidl's original demolition plan, some described the existing building as "a carbuncle" and "an eyesore". Others described it as "attractive" and "iconic". We suspect that, if it is restored sympathetically, attitudes will change and more people will incline towards the latter view. Lidl's proposals are therefore very welcome. They are also surprisingly ambitious. We do wonder, for example, whether it is really necessary for all of the windows to be replaced. We hope that the Council's planning and conservation officers will give the company guidance on what work is necessary and what is merely desirable.

4. An obvious problem with the site is the shortage of car parking provision. The number of spaces available is well below the level typically associated with a Lidl supermarket. However the site is well served by public transport. It will be important to lay out the car park in such a way that shoppers arriving and departing on foot, or by bike, bus or taxi (as well as those with buggies or in wheelchairs), are encouraged and not inconvenienced. The proposal to house the trolley storage area within, rather than outside, the building will help maximise the area available for parking.

5. Another potential shortcoming is Lidl's proposal to 'mothball' rather than use the upper floors of the building. However, we are pleased to note that they are to be made stable, secure and weathertight. Also, having visited the building recently accompanied by Lidl staff, we can quite understand the company's fears that any commercial use of the upper floors will reduce the (already limited) availability of parking for their customers. While we would like to see some limited use - such as a first floor café within the glazed corner tower, taking advantage of the views across the Conservation Area, which might be open at off-peak times to serve primarily local customers arriving on foot - we do not feel that planning permission should be refused merely on the grounds that the upper floors are shown as remaining empty.

6. In terms of the detailed design, we assume that decisions on some elements (including the landscaping/boundary treatment) will have to await the submission of the Listed Building Consent application. However, members of our Committee have raised doubts about the following: (i) the windows - the proportions of the panes proposed for the corner tower apparently differing from those either side; and (ii) the billboards - the two on the ground floor being thought to be over-large (much larger than the traditional cinema billboards that they are perhaps intended to mimic).

7. One of our main concerns - which we know is shared by Lidl - is that a decision on this planning application should be made as rapidly as possible. The people of Wavertree have already been without the supermarket for over two years. With every month that passes, building costs escalate. The associated Listed Building Consent application will take some time to prepare and process. We hope that the Council's planning officers will work pro-actively with Lidl's architects to avoid unnecessary delays and wasted effort.