Historic England praises Marine Lake Events Centre for role in ‘revitalising Southport’

Historic England has given its backing to plans for a £73 million new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport, saying the “well-designed, high quality integrated scheme would assist in revitalising the town’s economy”. 

The new facility took a huge step forward in December after its business case was approved by the Government’s Levelling Up department. The project is being led by Sefton Council. 

It is the central scheme in the Southport Town Deal initiative, which has dedicated £33.3 million to the scheme. This will add to £20 million in funding through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and £19 million in prudential borrowing from Sefton Council. 

The new Marine Lake Events Centre and the water and light show on the lake in front will be built on the site of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, which closed in March 2020. 

In a letter to Sefton Council, Historic England Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas Daniel Jones said: “We recognise the need for change within Southport and are supportive of well-designed, high quality integrated schemes that would assist in revitalising the town’s economy and appreciation of its historic environment. 

“The replacement event centre would create an important new destination for the town and be in-line with the seaside resort character of Southport, adding to the existing attractions and function spaces. 

“Whilst replacing the Floral Hall, the new centre would provide a similar use whilst bringing with it public realm enhancements and more activity alongside the lakeside. The Pier, Kings Gardens, Pleasure Beach etc are all examples of existing seaside attractions of which the new centre would contribute to.” 

Historic England recognised that the Art Deco Floral Hall, which is non-designated, and Floral Hall Gardens have had a rich heritage in Southport, but that change is sometimes needed. 

Daniel Jones said: “The 1930s building has been extended several times resulting in the original Floral Hall being almost entirely encased in later additions, obscuring its original form and design from the promenade. 

“The Gardens in which it once stood have either been built out onto or resurfaced to create a large surface car park.

“The proposals look to demolish the existing Floral Hall building along with its later extensions and replace it with a bold new Events Centre. 

“This new centre will reuse the existing surface car park and be repositioned within the site to open a gap between it and the hotel building creating a new public space.

“The Art Deco form of the Floral Hall when it was built would have been quite different and alien to the existing buildings of the Promenade.

“This once outlandish shift in architectural design language is reflective of the exciting change of perceptions and fortunes of Southport as it developed to become a fashionable tourist destination.

“The proposed new event centre building could have a similar effect.

“The new building which takes design references from its coastal location and local wildlife and expresses them through the proposed cladding would be a bold new addition. Given the history of varied uses on the site we consider the addition of a new contemporary dimension to the character and appearance of the area, much like the Floral Hall would have done in 1932.

“Overall, we are of the view that the scheme could bring important benefits to the area and that a high quality, contemporary designed building could be accommodated on this site.” 

An artist’s impression of the new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport

Historic England also praised plans to create a new public plaza between the Marine Lake Events Centre Bliss Hotel. 

Daniel Jones said: “The creation of a public plaza between the new centre and the hotel is considered a positive proposal. 

“It would help establish a greater link with the marine lake and reinstate some of the usage it once had as public gardens.” 

In approving the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) business case in December, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) congratulated Sefton Council and the Southport Town Deal team on ‘an ambitious project for the benefit’ of Southport and the Liverpool City Region. 

The MLEC is expected to attract 515,000 new visitors to Southport each year, while generating an annual £18 million for the local economy.

Sefton Council has already commenced a series of preparatory works to ensure the project can get underway swiftly, including identifying ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management company and producer of live experiences as the site’s preferred operating partner.

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