Silcock Leisure Group sponsored feature
People can enjoy a Lunchtime Talk on ‘A History of Silcock Leisure in Southport’ this May.
This free event will take place in The Studio at The Atkinson, on Lord Street, Southport, between 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday 13th May 2026.
Discover the rich heritage of Silcock Leisure with Serena Silcock‑Prince, the Head Of Operations at Silcock Leisure Group, and Justin Prescott, the Head of IT and Promotions.
Join Serena as she shares the remarkable story of her family’s deep roots in Southport, from her maternal ancestors whose presence stretches back to the early days of the town’s tourism industry, including her great ‑ great ‑ great ‑ grandfather John Jackson, one of only two surviving crew members of the tragic Mexico disaster off the coast of Southport.
Serena will also explore the colourful history of her paternal family, the Silcocks, who first arrived in Southport for a single fairground season in the 1960s, and fell in love with the town so completely that they chose never to leave.
Today Silcock Leisure Group is one of the biggest family-owned local businesses in Southport, with their attractions bringing huge numbers of visitors into the town.
They include Silcock’s Carousel, also known as The Golden Gallopers, which was built in 1901 in the reign of Queen Victoria.
It was recognised as the fourth best seaside attraction in Britain in the 2023 Bucket and Spade List, organised by the The Seaside Heritage Network.
The family also owns Silcock’s Funland, Southport’s biggest indoor amusement centre; Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant; Silcock’s Flavours Ice Cream Parlour; Silcock’s Embassy fish & chip restaurant; and more.
The Silcock family were keen campaigners for the restoration of Southport Pier, organising a public meeting in January last year as they now look forward to the works starting soon.
Serena Silcock-Prince said:
“I’m thrilled to announce that myself and Justin Prescott will be doing a special lunchtime talk at The Atkinson.
“Justin will be sharing the fascinating history of how Silcock’s began — a name that has become synonymous with Southport — while I’ll be diving into my own personal story and deep-rooted connections to the town.
“Our family came to Southport for a season from Warrington in the 1960s and loved it so much, we’ve stayed ever since – we love it here!
“My Grandad, Herbert Silcock Sr, and my Dad, Herbert Silcock, operated the famous Speedway ride at Southport Pleasureland for many years.
“We still have people coming up to us today saying how much they loved it!
“Dad always says that The Speedway was Southport’s best ever dating agency; so many couples met there!
“In the 1980s, Dad bought what is now Silcock’s Funland and Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant on the Promenade. Back then it was known as The Golden Goose, with Follies and The Dixieland Showbar.
“I was four years old at the time.
“Then in the 1990s, Grandad bought the Carousel from the Botton Brothers. It was an amazing decision, it has brought so much joy to so many children, so many families.
“It’s become a very iconic attraction for Southport. It looks perfect where it is, at the entrance to Southport Pier and an impressive sight for anyone in Southport town centre who looks up Nevill Street.
“From both my paternal and maternal sides, my family history in Southport runs strong — including my great-great-great-grandfather John Jackson, who was one of only two survivors of the Mexico disaster in 1886. Tragically 27 people died that day, and it remains the worst lifeboat disaster in UK history.
“This year will mark the 140th anniversary since the Mexico Disaster, and we are so grateful to have the amazing volunteers from Southport Lifeboat keeping our coastline safe today.
“I will also be talking about the maternal side of my family.
“I was honoured to be invited to speak at the International Women’s Day event supporting Queenscourt Hospice at The Grand in Southport last year, where I shared stories about some of them – very strong, successful, pioneering women.
“They include my great-grandmother, Nanna Lil, who started businesses near Southport Pier, and also at Southport Pleasureland.
“She was one of the first ever women to run a business in Southport.
“She ran the famous cafe on stilts, which was situated where Pizza Hut is now.
“Back then, it was right next to Southport Beach, with people enjoying donkey rides outside.
“She was a real character! She was very glamorous. She worked very, very hard.
“She had two daughters – Nana G (Miriam) and Sylvia Spencer, whose daughter, Joy, now owns the Joke Shop on Nevill Street.
“Miriam and Sylvia went on to create Creamier Ices on Banastre Road, which sold ice creams to a variety of businesses.
“Nana G started her business career at the age of 16 selling one tin of rock; with the money she bought another, and then another, and kept working hard and growing her business until she owned her own rock shop, at Southport Pleasureland.
“She then bought the Embassy fish & chip restaurant, which was Silcocks’ first venture on Nevill Street, and we have grown and expanded from there.
“She then wanted to buy the miniature railway in Southport, but wasn’t able to because at the time women weren’t allowed to have their own bank accounts! She had to take her brother-in -law with her to buy it and it was a great success.
“Miriam and Sylvia were very entrepreneurial, they were real trailblazers for women in our town.
“As a family we have very, very deep roots in Southport, on both sides of my family.
“I’m Southport born and bred. This is an insight into why I love Southport so much. I am so proud to be from Southport.
“The Atkinson is one of my favourite spaces in Southport, so I’m truly honoured to have been invited to talk.
“Justin and I hope to see you there.”
Another landmark which has deep connections with the Silcock family is Southport Pier.
Serena said: “Last year we were so determined to see funds secured to enable Southport Pier to be reopened.
“We organised a public meeting at the Silcock’s Pier Restaurant, and were astonished to see hundreds of people turn up – we kept putting more and more chairs out, and ran out.
“It shows the huge passion people in Southport have to see their pier reopen.
“We were delighted to see the announcement earlier this year of up to £20 million being secured to repair it.
“There’s been lots of hard work by Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Sefton Council, Southport Pier Trust and local businesses to make this happen – and most of all by local people.
“So many generations of our family have worked here near the seafront in Southport.
“The one constant in the middle of it all has been Southport Pier. It connects us all, as it does so many families locally. So much has changed in Southport but Southport Pier has always been here.
“Southport Pier is a real symbol of Southport and we’re so excited to see restoration work starting very soon with the aim of getting it back open again.”
- For more details of The Lunchtime Talk, visit: A History of Silcock Leisure in Southport – The Atkinson
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