Changes are being proposed with the aim of improving Southport’s ‘Market Quarter’ – and local people and businesses are being asked what you think.
The redesign of the area has the ambition of allowing even more people to enjoy Southport Market and the shops, bards, cafes and restaurants in the area surrounding it, which may then attract even more businesses to come
Local people and businesses are being invited to have your say here, after Sefton Council and Southport Town Deal launched their “Les Transformations de Southport” consultation here: yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/
The area is enjoying a renaissance after the £1.4million transformation of Southport Market into a thriving new food, drink and event venue last year.
The redevelopment was led by Sefton Council, with £900,000 funding through Southport Town Deal and £500,000 through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
A number of new businesses have since opened in the area, including: Season Coffee, Bar & Kitchen; The Cake Box; Urban Attic; Eva’s Sewing Room; and David Davies Sales & Lettings Agent.
Southport Town Deal and Sefton Council said: “The refurbishment of Southport Market has proved very successful and many people are enjoying the new facilities there.
“We are proposing to make changes to the streets around the Market, providing more public space and restricting traffic, so that more people can enjoy the market and its surroundings, creating opportunities for new and existing businesses to develop and expand in that area.”
The consultation then gives people the option of commenting on a number of options which include:
(a) Creating a traffic free section on Market Street next to the Market.
(b) Having either formal planting or paving only at the junction of Market Street and King Street, with two options of either option A (planting) or option B (paving)
(c) Providing new tree planting and seating along Market Street.
(d) Making Market Street two way for traffic between Princes Street and the traffic free section
e) Making King Street one way (from Eastbank Street) between Eastbank Street and Market Street
(f) Widening the footway on King Street alongside the Market to provide more space for pedestrians to walk.
(g) Keeping the disabled parking bays and loading bays on King Street.
People can share your views here: yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/
The survey is being carried out by Sefton Council and Southport Town Deal, with the results informing a series of changes to Southport town centre.
The consultation is open until 18th March 2022.
In 2020 plans were publicly revealed which would be designed to support Southport’s return to the grandeur of Victorian England, when it was the country’s second most popular tourist destination.
The project, dubbed “Les Transformations de Southport”, aims to support the town’s businesses by improving the connectivity across the whole town centre, including improved pedestrian facilities, better links to the railway station and the creation of new public spaces for hosting events.
Now a consultation has been launched for Phase One of the scheme, seeking out views about public access and how people move and travel through the town centre, as well as looking to gauge support on new public realm enhancements in the Chapel Street and Market areas.
Business owners, schools, visitors, the transport and tourism sectors are being encouraged to contribute their views alongside residents from the wider area around Southport.
People will be asked for their views on a number of areas, including:
- Lighting and benches on Chapel Street
- Improving the appearance of the Southport Station Entrance
- Changes to the Market Quarter
- Better pedestrian provision on Eastbank Street
- Improved street signage
- Future phases and areas of focus
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The town centre is dominated by north-south movements, particularly by vehicles, and there are many competing demands for highway space which can be difficult to accommodate.
“The post Covid-19 decline in public transport use may also create additional pressure on the highway network to accommodate private vehicles.
“Phase 1 is the beginning of our attempts to address these issues, provide infrastructure which allows for better access, along with the associated health and well-being outcomes.”
As an accountable body for the project, Sefton Council will administer the consultation process on behalf of the Southport Town Deal board.
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