There’s a post over on the HVL facebook page about unconfirmed (I think) reports that the old toilet block on the promenade opposite Trinity Road, known as the Pebbles Cafe project, is to be demolished. Furthermore, the site will not then be available for subsequent redevelopment. So, presumably there’ll just be a slipway, a patch of concrete and some new railings?
The proposal to turn the toilet block into a cafe has been ongoing for several years now – I mentioned it back in 2009 here and numerous times since. While there are nearby venues at Hoylake Parade and more recently the Queens Park Tea Room, there’s nowhere along the promenade (aside from the little kiosk in the bowling green) that serves drinks and snacks. Some residents are fine with that while others feel that Hoylake needs a venue on the promenade to attract more visitors.
What’s to become of the now-closed Lifeboat Museum I wonder?
Any demolition or development on the prom can only take place during the summer months as the beach is a registered Site of Special Scientific Interest (
I’d love to hear what you think about the old toilet block …have your say in the comments below.
We seriously need to start some crowdfunding in Hoylake to prevent these losses.The community is so strong here. Imagine an amazing view from the lifeboat museum, drinking a coffee and then popping next door to watch a film, or to view some beautiful local art. Who’s in? There has got to be some match funding somewhere…
I agree. I think the protestors against the pebbles cafe were very short sighted. The one in West Kirby looks very attractive and surely it’s better than nothing.
The museum development sounds great too. we need some facilities!
To right Hoylake would really benefit form a sea front attraction. Whats going on with the beach by the old loo block.? There appears to be some sort of sewage leak, clear water has been bubbling up all summer and now theres loads of green plants growing. I have had UU out and they said it was rain water but it can’t be;. I think theres a serious problem with the drains under the parade.
One thing Hoylake prom needs is toilets on the prom, visitors have nowhere to spend a penny,nowhere for mothers to change young children, no wonder nobody stays on the beach, even the Victorians had toilets built, never mind cafe or bar.
Never mind crowd funding for cinema, how about need for toilets on the prom, visitors would welcome it, why come to a beach where the only toilets is the sand, alright if you’re a dog owner though
Hoylake sailing club has all the facilities and spends most of the time closed, think of the money that could generate.
That’s crossed my mind too.
What a shame! The prom needs a focus where people can get tea, coffee, food, drinks. A place to stop, stare and enjoy the beauty of the place!! What is to object?
Hilary & Jerry comment:
Perhaps, in summer, the Lifeboat station could sell refreshments, toilets, souvenirs etc as a fund raising activity….obviously this couldn’t detract from the actual purpose of the station… but it works on August Bank Holiday.
What people would ‘like’ or ‘feel Hoylake deserves’ is interesting to a degree but it’s what developers are actually able to realise that’s of central importance. This one demonstrated over a protracted period, and having been granted a planning extension, a sustained inability to move forward with this project and it’s entirely within the normal course of things that it failed; many projects don’t make it. Further, the notion of the protests of local residents having prevented success here is a red herring; planning was granted, including for an alcohol licence (as properly constrained by the environmental classification(s) pertaining to the area) and the news that the block is to be demolished isn’t, in fact, news as anybody who’s been following this farce will be aware.
So, nothing to see here then except for this odd declaration that, this development having failed, Wirral Council are preemptively refusing to entertain any subsequent proposals. What’s that all about? Does anybody have any links to a Council statement on their reasoning?