The decision to convert a former Southport hotel into a facility providing temporary accommodation to homeless households will be reviewed this evening.
On 2nd October, Sefton Council’s Cabinet agreed to progress the conversion of the Salfordian Hotel at 37 Park Crescent, opposite Hesketh Park in Southport.
The hotel had served for over 60 years as a popular holiday destination for Salford’s elderly and disabled residents.
It was opened by Salford council in 1963 to provide a home from home for people and their carers, with 24-hour on-call support.
Southport councillors Mike Sammon, Lauren Keith and John Pugh have ‘called in’ the decision and will make their case at the Special Meeting of Sefton Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills) at Bootle Town Hall this evening (Tuesday 18th November, 2025).
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will then decide which option to take after the debate:
(a) refer the matter to the Cabinet for re-consideration, setting out the nature of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s concerns
(b) or refer the matter to the full Council for the Council to decide whether it wishes to object to the decision
In the event of the Committee being satisfied with the decision, the decision can proceed for implementation immediately following the meeting.
On 2 October 2025, Sefton Council’s Cabinet voted in favour of the acquisition of The Salfordian Hotel, at 37 Park Crescent, Southport, for the purpose of providing temporary accommodation to eligible homeless households in Sefton, subject to the appropriate planning permission being secured.
They also backed the proposed delivery of priority repair and maintenance works to The Salfordian, as identified in the condition survey.
They said that Sefton Council has a statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness for its residents.
They believe this proposal would incorporate The Salfordian within the breadth of support services that are in place for Sefton residents that were housed in temporary accommodation where they could be helped to find a permanent home. The transfer of the premises to Sefton from Salford Council would ensure that the premises remained in public ownership.
Councillors Sammon, Keith and Pugh set out their reasons for ‘calling in’ the decision:
“We note that the summary in the report refers to providing temporary accommodation initially as accommodation for homeless single adults. It seems clear from the minutes, as well as the report, that homeless families with children will not be provided with temporary accommodation at the Salfordian (at least initially).
“We are concerned that insufficient consideration has been given to the need to provide accommodation for homeless families with children.
“Accordingly, we question the soundness of the decision, based on facts not taken into account.
“We believe that this decision should be referred back to Cabinet to allow for further consideration to be given to adapting part or all of the accommodation in The Salfordian for homeless families with children.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
