£1million scheme to transform Scarisbrick Avenue in Southport unveiled

A £1million plan to revamp Southport nightlife hub Scarisbrick Avenue has been unveiled by Sefton Council. 

The local authority is eager to engage with business owners and residents in the area ahead of proposed regeneration works on the busy thoroughfare.

A package of works worth nearly £1million are proposed including new, high quality paving, enhanced street lighting, improved pedestrian crossings, environmental additions and rejuvenated signage and CCTV equipment.

Businesses, residents and stakeholders are being informed about the works, which are intended to be completed in time for the 2022 summer season.

The route is home to some superb independent local businesses including Avenue, Spender’s, Chop House, the Dolphin Chippy, Hideaway, Concept Food Bar and others, in addition to the side of The Scarisbrick Hotel.

Spender’s bar owners Paul and Chantelle Drewery said: “We’re very excited and it will make a huge difference to this very important part of the town!”

It is hoped the scheme will greatly improve the popular walkway, which connects the heart of Southport Town Centre with the Promenade and seafront, ultimately complementing the ongoing work of both the Southport Town Deal and the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control said:

 “Scarisbrick Avenue has seen an increase in footfall since 2020 with the addition of the impressive Red Rum mural, painted by famous local artist Paul Curtis, as part of the local authority’s Sefton’s Borough of Culture celebrations.

“The fantastic work of the Townscape Heritage Project team, along with the brilliant long term vision and successes we’re already seeing from the Southport Town Deal are creating a positive future for the town and these works on Scarisbrick Avenue are a much welcomed addition to those projects.”

A huge mural of legendary racehorse Red Rum by acclaimed street artist Paul Curtis was unveiled in Southport in March

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said:

 “Scarisbrick Avenue is one of three main routes connecting Lord Street with the Promenade and its popularity over time has lead to some significant wear and tear.

“It has been a long standing ambition to secure funding to make improvements and we are delighted that we are now in a position to do so.

“The Southport Town Deal recognises the importance of high quality public spaces and the connections between the town centre and the seafront areas as major contributors to the future success of the town.

An artist’s impression of how the new look Scarisbrick Avenue in Southport will look

“These improvements to Scarisbrick Avenue were identified as one of the projects the Council was committed to delivering that would complement the proposals in the successful Town Deal bid and the Townscape Heritage Project.

“We are asking stakeholders and residents in the area what they think of an extensive package of environmental and heritage improvements, involving the replacement of worn out paving, better pedestrian crossing facilities and a new eco-friendly lighting scheme to support the evening economy.”

A total of £920,000 has been allocated for the project via the Government’s Highways Challenge Fund grant and Sefton’s Growth Programme and is subject to approval of Sefton Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

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