Work has started on new Wetherspoons in Formby

Work has commenced today on the former Conservative Club which will be transformed into the Wetherspoons and also on the first floor, the private members club which will be known as 'The Formby Club'.

The work is expected to take between six to eight months to complete. Planning permission was granted in the Summer after long delays when Sports England had objected to the scheme because of the loss of a bowling green on the site. But, the green had been out of use for more than a year and there were no funds available for its restoration and upkeep.

After further consideration of the issues the planning officer recommended full approval and the scheme was given the go-ahead.

The building in Three Tuns Lane will be transformed in the next six months into a J. D. Wetherspoon pub with a two storey rear extension and covered canopy. The former bowling green is to be transformed into a family beer garden.

Former bowling green which will be used as the site entrance

A spokesman for The Formby Club said: “We are delighted that the plan has finally been approved. If all goes according to plan we could be open before next spring. The club itself will be transformed. It will have modern facilities for the disabled and the covered canopy overlooking the beer garden should be very popular. The private members club will be an attractive new facility for the community. We are now working on membership details which will be announced soon."

The three disabled bays that adjoin the bordering bowling green fence will be out of use to the public

Over the six to eight month period of the work, the three disabled bays in Sumner Road car park will be used for the site entrance so will not be available for use as parking bays at all throughout the time.

We will keep you updated as the transformation progresses over the forthcoming months.