From Slowboat to Sainsbury’s, Formby Landmark Set for Big Comeback

Formby Bubble
Jul 27
2 min read

A long-vacant site on Liverpool Road in Formby is finally set for a major transformation, as plans have been approved to bring a Sainsbury’s Local, a Howdens kitchen supplier, and a third small retail unit to the location once known for The Slowboat and Kwik Save.

The building at 109–111 Liverpool Road has stood empty for years, but many local residents will remember its past well. It was once home to The Slowboat, a popular Cantonese and Peking-style takeaway that served the community for decades.

Behind it sat a large furniture store, which later became a Kwik Save supermarket, providing affordable groceries to Formby families in the days before online shopping.

In more recent years, the site became a gym complex, with LA Fitness operating there until it was bought out for £1.330 million in 2014 by Sports Direct Fitness, the leisure division of Sports Direct. That too eventually closed, and the building has remained unused ever since—until now.

Sefton Council has now granted planning permission for the site to be subdivided into three new commercial units. The largest will be taken over by Sainsbury’s Local, offering residents a wide range of everyday essentials including fresh fruit and veg, bakery goods, meats, dairy, sandwiches, alcohol and household items—ideal for quick “top-up” shops without needing to travel far.

Howdens, a well-known kitchen supplier, will take over the second unit, operating a trade-counter style store serving both trade professionals and the public. The third and smallest unit remains available, with no confirmed occupier at this time.

While the site is set to gain a new lease of life, the redevelopment will also bring some changes. The number of parking spaces will be reduced significantly—from 105 down to 29, with disabled bays dropping from 5 to 2. However, 8 new cycle spaces will be added and a dedicated delivery bay installed. The building itself will undergo external alterations to suit its new purpose.

Sefton Council’s planning team concluded that the redevelopment is in keeping with the character of the area and raised no concerns regarding highway safety or impact on nearby residents.

This approval closely mirrors a previous scheme passed in 2023, though the latest version scales down the extent of change and updates internal layouts. There’s no confirmation yet on opening dates or staffing levels, but the return of activity to this long-quiet part of Liverpool Road marks a positive step forward for the area.

For Formby residents, this isn’t just another shop opening—it’s the revival of a location full of local memories. From takeaways and groceries to gym workouts and now new retail offerings, this corner of town is ready to serve the community once again.