Fire Breaks Out at Former Shorrocks Hill Nightclub in Formby

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) responded to a fire at the site of the former Shorrocks Hill nightclub in Formby earlier yesterday morning, Tuesday, 25th February.

Fire crews arrived at the scene at 7:14am and discovered a fire on the first floor of the derelict building. The blaze, which ignited a quantity of rubbish, was intense enough to burn through the flooring. Firefighters used a high-pressure hose reel to extinguish the flames and left the scene at 8:41am.

Shorrocks Hill, once a well-known nightlife destination originally called Falcon’s Crest, closed in 2015. The site has experienced multiple fires over the years, including a reported arson attack in 2009 and a tragic incident in 2016, where an electrical fault at the site’s stables led to the deaths of 45-year-old Andrew Coogan and eight horses.

Currently owned by the Ascot Group, the site is subject to a planning application for a 23-home development and a 100-space public car park. However, the plans have faced strong local opposition, with concerns about the impact on wildlife and the environment.

Broadgrove Planning and Development Limited (BPDL), the developer behind the proposal, has stated it will take measures to protect local wildlife, including red squirrels, badgers, and hedgehogs, and install bat boxes if necessary. The site’s reclassification from greenbelt to brownfield land nearly a decade ago has fueled controversy over potential development.

Local campaigner Yvonne Irving, 83, has been vocal against the project, highlighting the site’s natural beauty and ecological significance. “If this development goes ahead, it could destroy these amazing habitats,” she said. Hundreds of residents have submitted objections.

The planning application, submitted to Sefton Council, remains under review. Applicants have been approached for further comment.