Work finally begins on Long-Vacant Liverpool Road Site — New Sainsbury’s Local (including Argos) and Howdens

Work has now started on the long-vacant site at 109–111 Liverpool Road in Formby, marking the beginning of a long-awaited transformation for a location that holds countless memories for local residents. After standing empty for years, the site is finally being redeveloped to include a Sainsbury’s Local, a Howdens Kitchens trade counter, and a third small retail unit. Planning permission for the project was granted by Sefton Council in July 2025, and work officially began last week.

Many people in Formby will remember this building 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 local families long before the days of online shopping. In later years, the site was converted into a gym complex, first operated by LA Fitness before being bought in 2014 for £1.33 million by Sports Direct Fitness, the leisure division of Sports Direct. That gym later became Everlast Fitness, which eventually closed its doors, leaving the building empty and unused ever since.

Now, after years of inactivity, the site is being given a new lease of life. The redevelopment will see the building divided into three units. The largest will become a Sainsbury’s Local, offering a range of everyday essentials such as fresh fruit and vegetables, bakery goods, meats, dairy products, sandwiches, alcohol and household items—perfect for quick “top-up” shops without needing to travel far. Excitingly, the new Sainsbury’s will also include an Argos store inside, providing additional convenience for shoppers.

Howdens, a well-known kitchen supplier, will take over the second unit, running a trade-counter style store that will serve both tradespeople and the general public. The third and smallest unit remains available and has not yet been confirmed for occupation.

As part of the redevelopment, some changes will be made to the site layout. The number of parking spaces will be reduced from 105 to 29, with disabled bays dropping from five to two. However, eight new cycle spaces will be introduced, along with a dedicated delivery bay, and the building will undergo external alterations to modernise its appearance and suit its new purpose.

Sefton Council’s planning team concluded that the project is in keeping with the character of the surrounding area and raised no concerns about highway safety or the impact on nearby residents. The plans closely mirror a similar proposal approved in 2023, though the latest version has been scaled down and features updated internal layouts.

There is no confirmed opening date yet, but with work now underway, the long-quiet corner of Liverpool Road is finally set to come back to life.

For many in Formby, this isn’t just another development—it’s the revival of a location filled with history and nostalgia. From The Slowboat and Kwik Save to LA Fitness and Everlast Gym, this site has seen many chapters over the decades.

Now, with new shops and fresh investment, it’s ready to serve the Formby community once again.