Southport town centre could look very different as a result of Southport Town Deal.
A new cinema, dining and events space; cycle lanes and parking spaces along Lord Street; a new indoor food market; a smaller shopping area; and a new digital hub are among innovative new ideas being considered.
Southport is one of just 100 towns across the country invited to bid for up to £25million in funding as part of the Government’s Towns Fund.
Yesterday (Monday, June 29) a three-week Wider Consultation began, with people’s views influencing the final projects which will be submitted to Government for funding.
Here are some of the ways Southport town centre including the Lord Street area could change.
Consultation on the draft Vision and the Big Ideas for Southport runs until Monday 20th July – please provide your comments online at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/
1 – Cinema, Boutique Hotel, Dining and Events Space
Beales in Southport. Photo by Andrew Hilbert
It was a sad day when Beales department store closed in March, while Wayfarer’s Arcade has seen a number of units fall empty in recent months. This transformative plan could reinvigorate one of the North West’s most beautiful shopping arcades.
Wayfarers Arcade (previously the Leyland Arcade and Burton Arcade) is the Grade II Listed jewel in the crown on Lord Street. With its glass dome and Victorian shop fronts below it, it is a stunning location.
2 – Northern Quarter Nightlife and Co Working Hub
Debenhams on Lord Street in Southport
A few years ago, the northern end of Lord Street was notable for its abundance of charity shops and empty units. Soon, it could be thriving at night with the growing ‘Northern Quarter’ collection of stylish bars, hotels, restaurants and independent shops, and by day, busy as a new co-working hub, providing flexible space for start-up and independent businesses in the town centre.
The Debenhams department store, like Beales, also closed in March. It could become a new co-working office, café and apartments, which could, in turn, attract more quality restaurants and bars into vacant units nearby.
3 – Reduce the Retail Area
A map shows how the retail area in Southport town centre could be shrunk
Early consultation into the Southport Town Deal suggests people dislike the number of ‘empty shops’ along Lord Street and in the town centre area. One solution could be to focus the main shopping area into ‘a consolidated retail core’ on a smaller area of the town centre. This would concentrate around the central section of Lord Street and Chapel Street, as well as Tulketh Street and King Street.
Lord Street North – ‘The Northern Quarter’ – would be a mix of cafe, evening economy and living space. Lord Street South would be a mix of cafe, leisure and living space.
4 – Creative and Digital Business Hub
The proposed new Creative and Digital Hub at the former McDonalds building on Eastbank Street in Southport
The former McDonald’s restaurant building on the corner of King Street and Eastbank Street has been empty since its shock closure in October 2014.
It could now become a creative and digital business hub – bringing creative business into the heart of the town centre in modern accommodation.
We’re sorry for anyone hoping for Southport’s first ever Burger King…
5 – Indoor Food and Drink Market
Inspired by the successful version in Altrincham and elsewhere, Southport Market could be transformed into a venue for local food producers, pop-up restaurants and bars with events taking place throughout the year.
6 – New Transport Interchange
A state-of-the-art interchange facility (including bus / train / pedestrian / cycle), a new multi-storey car park, offices, cafes and convenience shops could be built in Southport town centre Under Southport Town Deal plans
Southport Train Station on Chapel Street, with its leaking roof and Soviet-style concrete facade, is one of the least-loved buildings in Southport, while many residents were disappointed when plans for a new bus station fell through in 2007. A new train / bus / cycle / pedestrian
interchange complete with offices, cafes and shops would create a much better first impression to Southport for visitors.
7 – Multi Storey Car Park
Many people in Stand Up For Southport have mentioned parking as an issue in our town.
A new multi-storey car park could be built to provide more spaces for shoppers and visitors.
This could be built as part of the new Southport Train Station Interchange, or elsewhere.
8 – Boutique Hotel and Homes for Lord Street South
Lord Street in Southport
If the core retail area does shrink, then Lord Street South could be reinvigorated by adding newly-built apartments and converting the upper floors of shops to apartments.
Bringing more people to live in the town centre would create more footfall and custom for the businesses there.
9 – Redesign of Lord Street
Redesign the roadspace along the entire length of Lord Street to incorporate dedicated cycle lanes in both directions and to make the pavement wider in places to assist in safe and comfortable crossing. On street parking provision for bikes as well as short stay parking to be integrated in to the design.
More priority would be given to pedestrians and cyclists. There would be enhanced pedestrian crossing points at the junctions with streets and routes connecting the town centre with the Waterfront area, such as Nevill Street and Scarisbrick Avenue.
Would this mean eliminating bus lanes? Or reducing vehicle lanes on Lord Street from four to two? There will be questions, and many views, on how these aims would be achieved.
10 – Electric Shuttle Bus
An electric bus could transport people between Lord Street and the waterfront in Southport
Provision of an electric shuttle bus (e-shuttle) linking the new interchange with the Waterfront attractions and Lord Street.
11 – Pop-Up Shops and Galleries
Develop a landlord engagement programme to encourage re-use of vacant shops and premises for a range of short-term uses (such as pop-up shops or galleries) and longer term uses
12 – Better Quality Streets
Other ideas include investing in the public realm (the quality of streets and spaces) connecting the assets in the central area of the town centre to create a high quality environment for the community. Another is investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the town centre and as a feature of new car parking facilities.
Consultation on the draft Vision and the Big Ideas for Southport runs until Monday 20th July – you can provide your comments online at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/
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