The families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe say they want the £10m revamp of the Town Hall Gardens to be their way of “thanking the people of Southport for standing shoulder to shoulder with us”, saying “your compassion has never wavered”.
Tonight an announcement was made announcing a substantial regeneration of the gardens, creating a family-friendly, child-orientated, and safe open-air performance and gathering space as a lasting tribute to Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King.
Their shared love of dance, music and the arts has inspired a vision for a new town square that will be an inclusive community focussed events space.
In a joint statement welcoming the project, the girls’ families said: “This project is a vision we have all shared for some time, which is rooted in love, resilience and unity.
“We wanted to find a way to thank the people of Southport for standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Your compassion has never wavered and your strength has helped carry us forward.
“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 are grateful to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to Sefton Council and to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and each of the region’s Councils, for listening to our voices and helping us achieve the funding we need for this project.
“This is only the beginning, and we all walk forward together with our amazing community in Southport, with purpose and hope.”
Their families envision the Town Hall gardens space as a safe and joyful place, full of energy and creative expression, particularly for Southport’s younger generations.
In direct reflection of the spirit of Elsie, Alice and Bebe, the reimagined Town Hall Gardens will provide a child friendly and safe platform for musicians, dancers, artists, culture lovers and more, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for generations to come.
The regeneration project will play a key role in Southport’s ongoing economic recovery and growth. By creating a flexible high-quality public space, the project will attract visitors, support local businesses, and complement other landmark public and private sector led developments in the town.
The project will also be accompanied by an exciting events programme for Southport, helping to make Southport’s town centre as exciting a place to be as possible for children and families.
This project is made possible thanks to £10m investment, with Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority providing £2.5 million, and the UK Government allocating £5m.
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