The ongoing transformation of Southport Market and the provision of new decorative lighting along Lord Street in Southport have been praised for making a difference to Southport through Town Deal funding.
Both schemes have been made possible through Southport Town Deal acceleration grant funding from the Government.
The Town Deal has provided £900,000 towards the £1.4million cost of regenerating the market with a further £500,000 provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
A further £100,000 has been given towards the Southport BID initiative to provide new lighting along Lord Street.
Work is now well underway by Sefton Council to turn Southport Market into an exciting new food, drinks and events space.
The market is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2021, with 10 new food units and a feature bar installed. This will be supported by a flexible events space able to host high-quality markets along with other events.
Southport MP Damien Moore said: “It is exciting to see that there is a new lease of life for Southport Market.
“When it opens it is going to be really vibrant and exciting. The rejuvenation of Southport starts here.
“This development has been made possible partly through £900,000 in Southport Town Deal Acceleration Grant funding from the Government, which is continuing to invest in Southport.
“I have lobbied hard for Town Deal funding to be made available for Southport. I am pleased to see that £1million of Acceleration Grant money is already being seen to have some really positive impacts at both Southport Market and in the lighting along Lord Street.
“Southport Town Deal proposals worth millions of pounds have been submitted to the Government and are currently being assessed.
“We are determined to get more for Southport and to have a fantastic future ahead.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people will be reticent about going abroad this year while the worldwide Coronavirus vaccination rollout takes place.
“Hopefully we will be very well placed in Southport to welcome visitors this year and this work which is now taking place is just the start of what we want to see happen here.
“This level of investment has not happened in Southport for many generations.
“I am currently working with the Department for Local Government (DLG) and I am lobbying hard to ensure that we get a good Town Deal for Southport, as I have done since first becoming an MP.
“We want to be able to see this money being secured for Southport as soon as possible.”
Building work is currently taking place at Southport Market thanks to external funding of £900,000 from Southport Town Deal and £500,000 from The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Once complete it is hoped the revitalised market will help to draw more trade into a revitalised ‘Market Quarter’, helping businesses along King Street, Market Street, Princes Street and beyond.
The market will also include units for fresh produce stalls, creating a true market feel to the building.
Enabling works already completed mean Blackhurst Butchers, which has been trading in the market for over 40 years, has now moved to a brand new, self-contained unit at the front of the building, and will continue to trade throughout the works.
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