A Southport hotel could be bought by Sefton Council and converted to provide temporary accommodation for local households most in need.
The local authority is considering buying The Salfordian on Park Crescent, next to Hesketh Park, with the issue being discussed at the Cabinet meeting at Bootle Town Hall this Thursday (2nd October 2025).
Over 1,600 residents in Southport have signed a petition objecting to the proposals.
The Salfordian on Park Crescent, which has provided holidays for people from Salford since it first opened in 1963, closed earlier this year.
The project is facing opposition due to concern among some local families and some users of Hesketh Park.
Campaigners are inviting people to join them and support the petition which is online here: Petition · Community Objection to The Salfordian proposal – Southport, United Kingdom · Change.org
Paper copies of the petition have been delivered to local shops, businesses and other facilities.
Sefton Council is keen to address people’s concerns, saying that “If the purchase goes through then The Salfordian can once more provide a safe and supported environment for our most in need residents.”
The local authority has published a series of FAQs in a bid to “answer concerns and dispel some factual inaccuracies in the process: The Salfordian Hotel, Southport
One group of local families living near Hesketh Park said: “Uppermost in all our minds is that we all want to see homelessness reduced and to make sure vulnerable people in Southport get the support they need. Nobody should be left without a home in our town.
“But the Salfordian on Park Crescent in Southport is the wrong place for so many reasons – not just for the vulnerable people who would be placed inside, but also for the families living nearby and the many thousands of people who use Hesketh Park on a regular basis.
“We would be more than happy to sit down with Sefton Council officers and councillors to discuss potential preferable locations for a facility like this for all involved.
“The council has stated the building is to house homeless families. However, this is not the case as, by law, families cannot be housed in HMOs.
“In reality, this building would almost certainly be used for single adult men, including ex-offenders and those with complex needs, placed here before proper risk assessments are complete.
“These changes are being pushed forward with no consultation or conversations with local residents, denying the community any say over how this sensitive site is being used.
“It would completely and irrecoverably change the nature of this quiet residential area.
“We would like to see a pause on these plans to allow time to open up a discussion on alternative locations which may be available and preferable to this one.
“Rushing into a poor decision like this one would be more costly to undo than it would be to get it right in the first instance.
“Other councils, including Wigan, Liverpool and Manchester, have restricted HMOs near schools, parks and family housing because of the potential risks.
“Southport should not be forced to accept one opposite our most treasured park and heritage site, especially after more than £850,000 was so generously bequeathed for Hesketh Park’s restoration.
“We would hate to see families and visitors from around the Liverpool City Region being discouraged from visiting Hesketh Park at a time when so much time, effort and money is being invested into finally regenerating it and making it a park for all.
“According to the TripAdvisor website, Hesketh Park is already the fifth most popular attraction for families to visit in Southport, with the potential to make that even higher.
“Spending a million pounds of taxpayers’ money into putting that in jeopardy at this time would be crazy and self-defeating.
“There are two other hostels in the PR9 part of Southport which already do a great job in supporting people who are homeless. They play an important role in our society.
“But to open a third one within such a short distance to the other two would be an over-saturation.
“It would severely damage the quality of life and the residential amenity for local residents, local businesses, park users, families and visitors.
“We call on Sefton Council to withdraw and rethink this proposal, and to find more suitable locations that balance statutory duties with community safety.”
Sefton Council says it is in talks to acquire the disused Salfordian Hotel on Park Crescent, which has been a refuge for those in need for more than 60 years.
By purchasing the building, it would allow Sefton Council to provide temporary accommodation for local households most in need in the borough.
However, since the Council made people aware of its intent, many people have raised concerns over what they think is going to happen to the building and who may live there temporarily.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council said: “Despite the 48 mile difference, The Salfordian building was actually acquired by Salford Council in 1963 to provide sheltered and safe accommodation for residents and carers.
“We were recently approached by Salford Council to see if the Local Authority were interested in carrying on this wonderful building’s legacy and why wouldn’t we like that idea?
“If the purchase goes through then The Salfordian can once more provide a safe and supported environment for our most in need residents.
“We’ve had to publish a series of myth busting FAQs because there are some people who are concerned and don’t want us to do this. So it’s only fair that we answer those concerns and dispel some factual inaccuracies in the process.
“Sefton Council has a statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness for its residents. Support services are in place for Sefton residents that are housed in temporary accommodation where they can be helped to find a permanent home.
“This will be a fantastic opportunity to help those most in need. That could be your friend, a family member, someone you deeply care about being given the support they need at The Salfordian.
“Given the increasing demand for temporary accommodation both locally in Sefton, as well as nationally, the site has the potential to help meet the needs of Sefton residents experiencing homelessness.
“Residents and local businesses will be consulted if the Council decides to progress with this purchase as part of proper planning and change of use policies.”
More details and Frequently Asked Questions about the potential acquisition of the Salfordian Hotel can be found via www.sefton.gov.uk/TheSalfordian.
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