'Disgrace' that café in the middle of world famous road has sat empty for decades

As you approach the huge junction that connects Smithdown Road, Penny Lane, Church Road and Allerton Road, the old Sergeant Pepper's Bistro site sticks out like a sore thumb. The circular building in Mossley Hill has seen better days but is a crucial part of Liverpool’s past and present.

It was originally a tram stop and inspectors’ office, with public toilets added to the back of the building. It's also been a bus shelter where John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison would meet during their time at school.

Then it was made famous when McCartney wrote in Penny Lane about “the shelter in the middle of the roundabout”. The building later reopened as a café and restaurant, decorated with Beatles photographs, posters and Fab Four memorabilia.

But the Sgt Peppers Bistro closed its doors in 2003 and since then has sat empty. Raad Maatook, who has owned the building since 1989, said in 2022 that he had invested hundreds of thousands into reopening the building but claimed the nature of the area was harming his efforts.

He said: "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 are 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."

When the ECHO visited the area this week, paint was smudged onto the ground-floor windows which obscured the view inside. A banner showing support for the Save Calderstones Park campaign hangs from one of the top windows.

In the Penny Lane wine bar, Tony Hannah, 67, was sipping a pint. He’s lived in the area for 20 years and believed re-opening the building would be a much-needed boost for the area.

Pointing at the Magical Mystery Tour Bus going past, he said: “It’s a very busy road. But there’s not actually that much to do on Penny Lane. You go to the sign and that’s it.”

While Tony remembered what the building used to be, for others it's been lost to time. Nick Gass, 30, from Hunts Cross, said: “I’ve lived here for 12 years. The only thing I’ve seen in it is a ladder. I’ve got no idea what it was before.” Nick argued it would do well as a restaurant, café or some sort of Beatles memorabilia site.

Planning permission was granted by Liverpool City Council in 2013 for it to be used as a bar or restaurant with a new first floor extension, but this never materialised. The building was repainted in 2021.

Mr Maatook said the outside of the building was being completely rendered to seal the walls. Plastering work and further renovation inside was also said to be taking place.

Daniel Smith, 38, who also lives in the area, is furious about the state of the building. He said: “I remember when it was the old bistro when I was a child. It seems like a disgrace for a local landmark to be left to rack and ruin. It needs occupying as soon as possible in my opinion.

“With the established restaurants, this area is a place where people come to eat and drink. Re-opening that building could be a boost to the local economy. It’s just a waste with something so iconic. The sooner the better for it to get refurbished.”

Other residents expressed scepticism that a restaurant would work, with many citing its awkward location wedged between three roads on a busy junction. One local resident, who did not wish to be named, suggested it could be turned into a youth club given the number of bars and restaurants already in the area.

Jill Dottie, who is in her sixties, is from Woolton but was showing her two friends from the north east around the area. Jill said: “It’s just where it is - you have to cross over the road to get to it. It’s not user friendly. It’s a shame really.”

Jill suggested some sort of Beatles souvenir shop could be a good addition to the area. She said: “My husband would say someone should open it as a record shop. We do have a really good gift shop nearby. Sometimes if you have a collection of places like that, it makes it more attractive to the area.”

Local resident Andrew Perry, 63, argued a hospitality venue or some sort of souvenir shop were the only viable options for the building. He said: “It is in an awkward location. There is plenty of foot traffic around here at least. I don’t know whether it could make a house. I don’t think anybody could ever live there.”

Andrew, like others the ECHO spoke to, lamented that the building appeared to be going the same way as other long-standing landmarks in the area, such as the nearby bank which was also referenced in the song famous song, but it is now closed.

He continued: “We’re booked to go on a holiday to France and Belgium next month. The coach is picking up outside the building. There should be things for us to do here.”

Mr Maatook has insisted he is looking for the right business to occupy the building, previously stating he has turned down other proposals that wouldn’t have been right, such as a group wanting to turn to use it as a shisha bar and kebab house.

He added: "I've talked to a lot of franchises in the past and I gave up. I'm now looking for established companies. I swear I haven't ignored Sergeant Pepper's, I'm not a rich man, I believe in the place, I want it to work.

"I am losing money myself as nobody is running it, but I don't regret buying the site, something good will happen. But I do apologise for what has happened."