Stand Up For Southport Blog by Andrew Brown
So THIS is what the new Southport Town Hall Gardens is going to look like after its £10 million transformation next year!
This weekend showed all about its potential and exactly what the families of Elsie, Alice and Bebe want it to be.
With the new Coastal Jam music festival taking centre stage, the Town Hall Gardens was packed with excited families.
There were children dancing. Children swaying on parents’ shoulders. Children laughing, playing, and enjoying a packed line-up of entertainment.
On stage were CBBC stars Andy And The Odd Socks – along with a dancing dinosaur, pirates and a singing hot dog!
They were followed by local dancers from Central Dance in Southport, and then by Mosh Tots. There was lots more to come.
The space was vibrant; energetic; happy; lively; and fun for families.
Next to the gardens, The Atkinson had opened specially for the day, with a range of events.
These plans are creating more reasons for families to come to Southport town centre, bringing a big boost to local restaurants, cafes, shops and other local businesses.
For years the Town Hall gardens have been blighted by broken flagstones and in need of much TLC, which has been provided recently with new flowers and planters through the brilliant Lord Street In Bloom volunteers.
Ahead lies an opportunity to make this a really exciting central events space; a focal point to bring everyone into Southport town centre not just locally but from further afield.
We’ve only heard of the concept so far; this was the first time to go down and actually FEEL it.
It’s that sense of the emotions it can evoke in families rather than lines on an artist’s impression which is really driving this very special project.
This is what the families of the girls want to see it become, and here’s where they will guide it, along with the opportunity for public consultation as it takes shape.
This substantial legacy project has been proposed by – and will be led by – the families of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King.
Their collective vision is for a new town square and gardens that will be a child friendly and family-focused flexible events space, that will provide a lasting positive legacy for their girls.
It will also provide an opportunity to say “thank you” to the town for the support they have received from their community.
The regeneration will be funded by:
£5 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
£2.5m from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
£2.5m from Sefton Council
It will create “a safe and joyful place, full of energy and creative expression — particularly for Southport’s younger generations.”
We’ll be able to see events, festivals, musicians, dancers, artists, culture lovers and more.
The families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe said:
“This project is a vision we have all shared for some time, which is rooted in love, resilience and unity.
“The regeneration of the Town Hall Gardens will become a legacy inspired by our three beautiful and amazing girls and it will be a space that is loved by many generations to come.
“It will be a place of joy, hope and community. A vibrant place where children and families can feel safe, connected and celebrated in the heart of our town.”
We really saw this space come alive this weekend, and it gave us a real feeling and a sense of just what it can become.
The possibilities and the future are exciting.
These three amazing families all carry the biggest burden. They have lost so much. Yet they are determined to do all they can to give back and help the community make positive memories.
Southport says thank you.
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