What would you like to see happen most in Southport in 2021? 

There are some pretty big things on Southport’s wishlist at the moment, as we look to rebuild from the impact of the Covid impact. 

Here are some of the things we’d like to see happen in Southport this year – please let us know what you’d love to see. 

 

1 – A new Southport theatre and a lights show in the lake 

The proposed design of the new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport

The proposed design of the new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport

Top of our wishlist this year is the £50million Southport Town Deal submission which was sent to the Government on 31 October with the aim of kickstarting huge new investment in Southport. 

The main scheme is a brand new waterside events centre to replace Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. 

Also included is a new immersive light and sound show for the Marine Lake, infrastructure work to enable Southport Pleasureland to become an all-year attraction and support for new incubator space for new businesses. 

 

2 – No more tiers 

A Covid-19 / coronavirus safety sign on Eastbank Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

A Covid-19 / coronavirus safety sign on Eastbank Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

The Covid vaccines can’t come soon enough. We face a tough Winter ahead, but the further along the vaccination programme becomes, the closer to normal life we will get. 

We all want to see family and friends and for Southport to become thriving again. 

We want to see our restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels open and thriving once again. 

We want to see The Atkinson full, live music back, the Little Theatre back open, and much more. 

 

3 – Our events season to return

Southport Flower Show

Have you missed Southport Air Show? Southport Flower Show? Southport Comedy Festival? 

2020 saw every major local event cancelled for the first time since World War Two. 

Fingers crossed, we can look forward to seeing them again this year, with an exciting programme of events already planned. 

 

4 – Victoria Buildings transformed 

The Victoria building in Southport

The Victoria building in Southport

This landmark building is one of the most stunning in the North West. 

Southport’s ‘new Victoria Baths’, on the Promenade, were opened in 1871 on the site of the original baths with the same name. In addition to the Turkish baths, there were first and second class swimming pools, slipper baths and showers, separate sets of each being provided for men and women. There was also a gymnasium for men.

The Turkish baths closed in 1978, with the building sub-divided and occupied by Victoria Leisure, Palm Court and Manhattans nightclubs, Hogans and Cue Bar nightspots and more. 

Sefton Council has contracted restoration experts Maysand Ltd to carry out essential repair work to the outside of the building at a cost of  £462,526. 

Let’s hope it leads to a new investor. 

 

5 – New Sainsbury’s supermarket finally built 

An artist's impression of the proposed new Sainsbury's supermarket at Meols Cop retial park in Southport

An artist’s impression of the proposed new Sainsbury’s supermarket at Meols Cop retial park in Southport

This has been a long drawn-out saga! Planning permission has finally now been granted after years of wrangling. 

The new store will bring 160 new jobs and new life to Meols Cop retail park. It will be great to see building work finally taking place. 

 

6 – A direct train to Preston 

A Merseyrail Southport to Liverpool train at the platform at Southport Train Station. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

A Merseyrail Southport to Liverpool train at the platform at Southport Train Station. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Preston is the nearest city to Southport, less than 20 miles away. 

Unfortunately, since the Beeching Cuts of the 1960s, you can only get there via a tortuous route via Wigan. 

Reopening the Burscough Curves would reconnect Southport to Preston, Ormskirk and much of Lancashire and beyond. 

 

7 – Landmark buildings thriving again

Beales department store on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Beales department store on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

2020 saw grand old department stores Beales and Debenhams on Lord Street close in March. 

The good news though was that the former BHS building on Chapel Street was finally sold, so there is hope for our landmark buildings. 

Some restoration work at Victoria Buildings on the Promenade may attract an investor, while we would also love to see the former Grand Casino building, the old Botanic Gardens Museum, Toad Hall, The Sands pub and others see new life again too. We live in hope. 

 

8 – Southport FC win promotion

Southport FC fans

Southport FC fans

The Sandgrounders sit five points off the play-off places so a good run could see them gain a chance to get back into the National League, one step below the football league. 

Playing bigger clubs, and bringing more fans and visitors into Southport on a regular basis would be great news for our town. 

 

9 – New life for Lord Street 

Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Stand Up For Southport helped run some of the consultation for Southport Town Deal, which drew over 7,000 responses. 

One of the most prolific issues mentioned was the desire to see more units filled on Lord Street, and for work to be done to improve one of the UK’s most beautiful shopping streets. 

It has been great to see new businesses on the main thoroughfare opening last year, including Grill Hunters, Curlett Jones Estates, Himalayas, Lapel Menswear, Coco Boutique, Rohan and others, plus serious investment at The Bold Hotel, and safety guaranteed for Bistrot Pierre at the 11th hour. 

More work is needed to bring Lord Street back to its former glory. 

 

10 – Green shoots for Botanic Gardens in Churchtown 

Botanic Gardens in Churchtown. Photo by Neville Grundy

Also on the Town Deal wishlist from consultees was a desire for investment into the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown. 

The Botanic Gardens Community Association submitted a plea for funding to clear out the Botanic Gardens Lake, fully restore the two ornamental bridges and install aerating water features.

They said: “This work is a long time coming and is vital for the health and safety and wellbeing of the thousands of residents and tourists and the diverse wildlife that the park attracts all year round.” 

 

11 – A Southport Station to be proud of 

Chapel Street in Southport

Chapel Street in Southport

Is the current Southport Station the ugliest building in Southport? 

It would be hard to beat it. One of the ‘Big Ideas’ in the Southport Town Deal consultation was to replace the Soviet-style concrete carbuncle with a new rail, bus, cycling and walking interchange to give visitors a really warm welcome to Southport. 

 

12 – A new Ainsdale gateway 

Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Ainsdale has such amazing potential. 

The wide open sandy beach is stunning, the dunes are among the most impressive in the UK, and it’s close to picturesque Ainsdale Village. 

Sefton Council has announced great plans to improve parking in the area which will happen this year. 

The area which includes The Sands Pub, Toad Hall, and The Lido could become really special with the right developer and the right investment. 

What would you like to see back in Southport in 2021? Do you have any stories for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com

67 Comments
  1. lynne webster 3 years ago

    no more parking charges and somthing for kids like the old paddling pool back no cycling lanes redicules

  2. Lisa 3 years ago

    I am looking forward to all the different improvements within the town and on the front. As amazing as all of this is I feel that some money should go into improving Pontins as once upon a time we would’ve had lots of tourists staying there and they would come into Southport and spend. All you hear now are complaints about how dirty the accommodation is and how run down the whole resort is. I do think it would be financially profitable for the town.

  3. Eileen Howard 3 years ago

    It would e great to see the area around Ainsdale beach transformed including Toad Hall The Sands and Pomtins .

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