AMBITIOUS plans to transform a former Hoylake lifeboat station into a new cinema, arts and heritage centre have been revealed, with the group behind it currently seeking out potential investors.

The proposed "Beacon" centre is still in the early stages but has already received an overwhelming response from the community.

Planned for the site of the old lifeboat station on North Parade - currently home to Hoylake Lifeboat Museum - the Beacon would consist of a 120-seater single-screen cinema with bistro, restaurant and exhibition space to include historic and heritage artefacts.

Put forward by the Beacon Steering Group - a small group of Hoylake residents who believe the town's promenade has what they describe as "enormous untapped potential for positive development" - the proposal would retain the original building alongside a high quality contemporary extension.

Mark Howard, part of the steering group, said: "It's very early days. It came out of the community but there's a lot of water to flow under the bridge yet.

"We're just seeing what interest there is in it at the moment but it's a good project and it's getting lots of public support."

A website has been set up outlining the group's plans and calls on Hoylake residents to get behind the scheme.

On the site, the group says: "We believe that regeneration is best motivated by local people, simply waiting for it to happen does a disservice to future generations. 

"We seek to generate widespread public support as well as interest from investors and developers in a catalytic project that will provide residents and visitors with a high quality leisure and food and drink facility on the site of the Old Lifeboat Station. 

"All of the work we are doing is entirely voluntary; we have no financial interest in the project whatsoever. Our only aim is to facilitate this much needed development and ensure it meets the highest standards."

What do you think about the plans? Would you welcome the Beacon project? Have your say in the comments below.

To find out more, visit hoylakebeacon.org.uk