Plans are progressing to create the new £75 million Cove Resort in Southport.
Cove Resort will be a major new tourist attraction on the Esplanade site in Southport, with stunning views looking out across the Irish Sea.
Visitors will be able to experience multiple leisure activities including an outdoor lagoon, an extensive thermal spa and other facilities.
A large 4-star hotel on site will complement the resort’s leisure offer.
The state-of-the-art new attraction is due to be built on the former Esplanade park and ride site, between Victoria Park and Southport Beach.
On Thursday 5th February 2026, councillors on Sefton Council’s Cabinet will meet to discuss an options appraisal and recommendation for the proposed disposal of the Esplanade park and ride site for development by Cove Resort.
The site and potential development has been consulted on with local stakeholders since 2020, pre-dating the Southport Town Deal bid.
Cove Resort was initially due to be built on Princes Park in Southport, before owners GSL secured what they consider to be an even more attractive site.
It leaves huge possibilities over what can now be developed at Princes Park.
Sefton Council currently has an Exclusivity Agreement in place with GSL, the team behind the Cove Resort proposals.
The agreement gives GSL time to work on the details of the scheme and prior to agreement from the Council on any future lease arrangement for development of the Esplanade park and ride site.
Sefton Council says that “GSL are progressing planning matters and discussions relating to delivery of the project on this site and have now received pre-application advice from the planners on the development which have been very positive.
“Work is continuing on the Esplanade site (Park and Ride) in exploring the development opportunity presented by the Cove project.”
Cove Resort is part of the substantial regeneration taking place in the seafront area of the resort, with construction work taking place to create the £73 million new Marine Lake Events Centre along with the new Light Fantastic water and light show in the Marine Lake.
Last year, the Government also announced its commitment to funding the restoration and reopening of Southport Pier, which first opened in 1860 and it the second longest pier in the country.
Adding to them soon will be the new Cove Resort, which will have a real focus on health and wellbeing.
The Cove Resort is described as “an exciting £75m leisure and hospitality project, bringing a high-quality visitor attraction to the town focussing on health and wellbeing, where multiple leisure activities including surfing, and an extensive thermal spa will form part of the offering.”
It would also include a large 4-star hotel on site which would complement the resort’s leisure offer whilst reaffirming Southport as one of the UK’s most attractive resorts.
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
