Demand Sergeant Pepper's Bistro is actually used for the local community!
Demand Sergeant Pepper's Bistro is actually used for the local community!
The Issue
Sergeant Pepper's Bistro is an eyesore, there is no doubt about that. But this iconic building is perhaps one of the most famous in England, thanks to the Beatles' 1967 hit Penny Lane. The former bus (and tram) terminus where 'the pretty nurse sold poppies from a tray' now sits as Sgt Pepper's Bistro, empty and unloved.
The building was purchased in 1989 by businessman Raad "Ray" Maatook and the building has been empty during his ownership. Mr Maatook spoke to the Liverpool Echo in October 2022, saying "There are too many apartments in the area and not enough retail. The retail parks on Edge Lane and in Speke have hurt the area. There just not enough big name brands and outlets around here. And that has made it harder for me. But I do hope to find the right tenant soon." We argue that there has been much investment in the local area, including a statue of John Lennon in 2021 which stands directly opposite both Sgt Pepper's Bistro and Saint Barnabus Penny Lane Church, where Sir Paul McCartney sang as a choir boy. There are a daily throng of tourists stopping to take a selfie or a family picture next to the statue, or the Penny Lane street sign a few feet away. Many popular and busy restaurants, bars and coffee shops have opened in the area including Tiger Rock (2016), Bean There (2017), Maggie Fu (2018), Fika (2018), and The Dog House (2019).
Liverpool City Council say they have 'no authority to force Mr Maatook to take action' and Mr Maatook himself has previously apologised to "the people of Liverpool" for "letting them down" over the site. We state that if Mr Maatook is genuinely sorry for letting us down, that he will do the right thing. We propose that Mr Maatook either sells the Sgt Pepper's Bistro building or rents it to a client that will use the historic and culturally important building to further support both tourism and the local community. A coffee shop, bar, restaurant or community centre would make the area more visually appealing for both groups of people. For local residents, we are proud of our city and our history, and it is a tragedy to see this beautiful and important building sitting empty and gathering dust.
We invite you to sign this petition to show Mr Maatook that the people of Liverpool have had enough- he needs to give Sgt Pepper's Bistro back to the people!
References
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/cafe-most-famous-street-earth-25190247
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/work-starts-iconic-sergeant-peppers-21468153
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/work-starts-old-sergeant-peppers-21471963
1,750
The Issue
Sergeant Pepper's Bistro is an eyesore, there is no doubt about that. But this iconic building is perhaps one of the most famous in England, thanks to the Beatles' 1967 hit Penny Lane. The former bus (and tram) terminus where 'the pretty nurse sold poppies from a tray' now sits as Sgt Pepper's Bistro, empty and unloved.
The building was purchased in 1989 by businessman Raad "Ray" Maatook and the building has been empty during his ownership. Mr Maatook spoke to the Liverpool Echo in October 2022, saying "There are too many apartments in the area and not enough retail. The retail parks on Edge Lane and in Speke have hurt the area. There just not enough big name brands and outlets around here. And that has made it harder for me. But I do hope to find the right tenant soon." We argue that there has been much investment in the local area, including a statue of John Lennon in 2021 which stands directly opposite both Sgt Pepper's Bistro and Saint Barnabus Penny Lane Church, where Sir Paul McCartney sang as a choir boy. There are a daily throng of tourists stopping to take a selfie or a family picture next to the statue, or the Penny Lane street sign a few feet away. Many popular and busy restaurants, bars and coffee shops have opened in the area including Tiger Rock (2016), Bean There (2017), Maggie Fu (2018), Fika (2018), and The Dog House (2019).
Liverpool City Council say they have 'no authority to force Mr Maatook to take action' and Mr Maatook himself has previously apologised to "the people of Liverpool" for "letting them down" over the site. We state that if Mr Maatook is genuinely sorry for letting us down, that he will do the right thing. We propose that Mr Maatook either sells the Sgt Pepper's Bistro building or rents it to a client that will use the historic and culturally important building to further support both tourism and the local community. A coffee shop, bar, restaurant or community centre would make the area more visually appealing for both groups of people. For local residents, we are proud of our city and our history, and it is a tragedy to see this beautiful and important building sitting empty and gathering dust.
We invite you to sign this petition to show Mr Maatook that the people of Liverpool have had enough- he needs to give Sgt Pepper's Bistro back to the people!
References
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/cafe-most-famous-street-earth-25190247
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/work-starts-iconic-sergeant-peppers-21468153
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/work-starts-old-sergeant-peppers-21471963
1,750
Supporter Voices
Petition created on 18 May 2024