As families flock to Southport to enjoy everything on offer during the May Half Term week, we look back to how people were spending their days out here in 1978!
These superb pictures and adverts came from a holiday guide to Southport from Charles Law, who along with his family runs the Masters Putting Green crazy golf course in Kings Gardens in Southport.
The beautiful 18-hole course is one of Southport’s most enduring and popular family attractions, having entertained children and adults over the past 60 years.
The golf course is among attractions which remain in King Gardens, providing happy memories to new generations of visitors for just £5 per game.
The 1978 Southport holiday guide celebrates some other attractions which remain to this day – they include Pleasureland (now known as Southport Adventure Coast) and Southport Arts Centre (now The Atkinson).
The 1978 guide boasts of the Arts Centre having played host to acts including Edmund Hockridge, John Heddle Nash, Reginald Dixon, George Melly, Besses O’Th’Barn, Atarah’s Band, Royal Welsh Choir, The Dubliners and Paul Hansard’s Puppets.
The guide also invited visitors from around the UK to come and enjoy the 1978 Southport Flower Show – ‘Do not miss Britain’s greatest summer flower show!’
Southport Flower Show was first held in 1924, and last year (2024) held its 100th anniversary event. It’s crazy to think that some of the visitors going to the 1978 event may also have been around to see the first ever Show!
The advert said: ‘From the colour and splendour of the great marquee to the unique rock gardens, show jumping, bands and other events the Southport Flower Show is an experience you will never forget. There’s something for all the family and big savings if you book in advance.’
Places that have gone include the Floral Hall and Southport Theatre, recently demolished to make way for the £73 million new Marine Lake Events Centre.
The Dixieland Showbar has been replaced by Funland, while Southport Indoor Baths has been revamped to accommodate Dunes Leisure Centre and Southport Splash World.
Southport Sea Bathing Lake – the scene of so many happy memories in long hot Southport summers – has long made way for the Ocean Plaza leisure park and retail park. A remarkable aerial photo shows how the land looked before Ocean Plaza was built.
The Botanic Gardens Museum is empty, awaiting the results of a Heritage Lottery funding application due to be made soon.
Southport Pier has been closed since 2022, although work is continuing to secure the funding needed to restore and reopen it.
The Pier advert promotes ‘deckchairs on the sun deck; Pierhead Cafe for light refreshments; Pierhead Bar for your favourite pint; shops and amusements; you will enjoy the walk, or the ride on the Pier Train ‘The English Rose’.’
The guide says: “When it comes to indoor entertainment you need look no further than the Southport Theatre and Floral Hall Complex.
“There will be a resident summer show in the Southport Theatre plus top line entertainers featured in Sunday Concerts and special afternoon shows for children.
“The 1978 Summer Programme in the Floral Hall will include twice weekly Old Time Music Hall Shows, a Family Night, the popular Search For A Star talent contests, wrestling, and a new innovation, ‘The Mr and Mrs Show’.
“Dancing to popular groups and discos takes place at the Dixieland Showbar – or if you prefer a quiet drink, you can choose from the many pubs and bars to be found in and around the town.
“And don’t forget, Southport is an ‘all year round’ resort, so if you feel like a winter break, you’ll find plenty to do; there’s regular entertainment, including a Christmas pantomime at the Southport Theatre, asd well as concerts and plays at the Southport Arts Centre, plus regular presentations at the Little Theatre.”
- Do you have memories of days out and visits to Southport to years gone by? We’d love to hear your memories and see your old photos! Please post in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
