These images show how a brand new, 1,200-seater, first class events space is being planned for Southport.
The Marine Lake Events Centre would be created on the site of the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, which closed when the Covid-19 pandemic struck the UK in March.
It would be a flexible events space that can host a number of different live events.
The project would create over 230 new jobs in the town plus an additional 160 in its construction.
It would provide Southport with a flexible events space targeted at the mid-sized conferencing market, but with particular emphasis on the e-sports market.
It is the central project in the £50million submission made to the Government under Southport Town Deal.
The proposed design of the new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport
The ‘Marine Lake Events Centre’ is a working title which was suggested by one of the 300-plus schoolchildren who responded to the targeted consultation on the project.
Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said: “The existing Southport Theatre and Convention Centre has a long and proud history and is an asset that stirs great passion among Sandgrounders, in an incredible location in town, but in need of radical transformation of the building and its offer.
“But the venue closed earlier this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, so this project would redevelop the site creating a new events complex with state-of-the-art technical facilities, to attract a wide range of different types of entertainment events and audiences to Southport.”
The proposed design of the new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport
The auditorium would also be suitable for large conferences, supported by fully flexible and sub-divisible spaces, a 1,500 m2 exhibition space capable of hosting over 3,000 people for major esports events, and designed to continue to accommodate the type of community-led events currently held in the Floral Hall.
A fully accessible new pier would connect with a spectacular Light Fantastic installation proposed via the Town Deal.
It would extend the connections from the Upper Promenade, through the atrium to the Marine Lake, completed by a floor lighting feature at the end.
The proposed design of the new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport
These two spectacular projects together form a proposition and a destination unique to the UK leisure and conferencing markets, which it is hoped will drive increased visitor numbers, both day and staying.
The venue would bring a major boost to Southport’s economy, attracting more than 300,000 new visitors to Southport every year, including more than 100,000 from outside the Liverpool City Region.
Cllr Maher said: “The project is the centrepiece of the Town Deal bid submitted to the Government on 30th October by the Southport Town Deal board, given the board’s recognition of its importance to the local economy and its prominence in the consultation and engagement feedback.
“It will also be a catalyst for wider investment and development, as evidenced by Go Surf’s vision for the Southport Cove project announced last week.
“Feedback on the Town Deal bid is expected in the New Year.”
A world class venue, with sustainability at its heart, the building would be BREEAM Excellent.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]
