PRESSURE is growing on landowners to bring back to life four iconic buildings at the heart of one of the North West’s most famous seaside resorts.

New Brighton residents are “demanding” that the old Lacy’s Bar, Grosvenor Casino, the old Grand Hotel site and Fort Perch Rock are restored to their former glory.

It’s hoped their development will help the seafront area of the town keep pace with the nearby Victoria Quarter – currently seeing a revival thanks to funds from local businessman Daniel Davies.

Ward member for New Brighton, Cllr Pat Hackett, said: “There’s a whole host of properties that need bringing back into play to make a big contribution to New Brighton’s continuing resurgence as a seaside resort.”

He’s calling for action within months rather than years, and added: “We all want to see the town’s success continue – but let’s see action.”

These are the four properties he and local residents are calling to be revived:

Lacy’s Bar

An “eyesore” that was particularly prevalent during the Giants’ visit to New Brighton in October, Cllr Hackett said he wanted to see a “positive” development, which he said was last operating around eight years ago.

It’s now owned by JD Wetherspoon, which runs the Master Mariner pub next door, with the pub chain last year submitting plans to bulldoze the site and extend its beer garden and external terrace area.

A previous planning application would have seen the Master Mariner and Lacy’s become one – meaning an extension on the ground floor, and the first floor becoming a hotel.

Cllr Hackett said: “The building itself has got great history. We are asking Wetherspoon’s to do something with it. Another summer is coming, lots of tourists will be coming, so what whatever they do, something has to happen soon.”

JD Wetherspoon was contacted for comment.

Grosvenor Casino

The casino, situated alongside Morrisons and Costa in Marine Point, closed in summer 2015, and has been empty ever since.

Aprirose, owner of Marine Point, was contacted for comment, but in January, said it had been talking to “different businesses” about the space.

A spokesman said it was hoped talks would continue this year, and they are “feeling positive about the prospects of another new business moving into New Brighton”.

Cllr Hackett said at this stage, he would be happy with any attraction that would bring the unit back into use.

He added: “The casino is the biggest unit that is vacant unfortunately and it sticks out like a sore thumb.

“It would be nice to see something for sports there or something for young people to add to the mix that’s already there.”

The Grand Hotel

The site of the old Grand Hotel is now merely rubble and dust – and has been since the old building was demolished over a decade ago.

The historic seaside hotel, built in the 1850s, was visited by Hollywood film stars after being revamped in the 20th century, with a glitzy reopening by film icon Mae West.

But the decline of New Brighton at the end of the 20th Century saw the hotel become a nightclub, and it soon became derelict.

Fires ruined the inside of the building, and in 2006, it was demolished.

Cllr Hackett said: “The owners need to up their game and take action. This site could be used for something fantastic.”

Attempts were made to contact the site’s owners.

Fort Perch Rock

Perhaps one of New Brighton’s most iconic sites, Fort Perch Rock is a former defence installation built in the early 19th Century to protect the Port of Liverpool.

A Grade II-listed building, it later became a tourist attraction and museum, also being used for musical performances.

But it’s been closed for the past few years, with the problem believed to be due to drainage issues.

Cllr Hackett said: “We hope the issues around its closure for the last three years can be resolved so it can take its place as the jewel in New Brighton’s crown again. We need to look at it to see what can be done.”

The owners of Fort Perch Rock were contacted for comment.

Cllr Hackett’s calls follow “numerous complaints” from local residents who, while excited by New Brighton’s “resurgence”, are “always asking us” what’s happening with these sites – and are demanding action is taken.

Cllr Hackett said: “They are all separate in their own ways, but nonetheless represent a backward step in contrast to the positive pace of change, investments and developments currently taking place in New Brighton.”

Cllr Hackett called on the owners of the properties to “take action and up their

game”.

He said the situation faced by these four buildings was in contrast to that of the Victoria Quarter – hoped to be Merseyside’s next “Lark lane” with quirky new bars restaurants, bustling shops on Seabank Road and the rest of the popular Marine Point development.

He added: “It’s great to see New Brighton’s Victoria Quarter moving ahead at pace and building on the great success of the seafront developments – it’s bringing a new confidence to the area.

“New Brighton’s forefathers who did so much to transform the fortunes of the area and make it into a fashionable resort would be proud of the work now happening to reinvent this half of the resort, and expand the offer to residents and visitors alike bringing a new vibrancy with its mix of culture, local jobs and creativity.

“It’s always been an ambition to link the front up with its national chains with independents and locals on Victoria Road.

“The offer is further enhanced by the mix of local shops on Seabank Road with its stylish Victorian canopies.”