Ambitious proposals to improve Southport through Southport Town Deal will “include exciting projects and opportunities that are not visible in any other town, or any other bid.”
The Town Deal aims to secure £25million in regeneration funding for Southport, with a Board currently putting together its favoured projects to submit to the Government for approval.
Thousands of people have their views through consultation carried out by Stand Up For Southport and Turleys earlier this year.
Today Sefton Council’s Cabinet agreed that the local authority will be the accountable body for the Southport Town Deal ahead of its £25million bid for Government funding later this month.
Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills and Town Deal Board member Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “Agreeing and securing a Town Deal in the coming months offers a real opportunity to boost Southport’s economy following months of Covid-19 induced economic uncertainty.
“It brings with it the benefits of increased jobs, different training opportunities, a strengthened visitor proposition that builds on the pride and passion that our residents have for Southport.
“Our Town Deal proposal will include exciting projects and opportunities that are not visible in any other town, or any other bid.”
It is not yet known which schemes the Southport Town Deal board will progress with.
But ‘Big Ideas’ put forward during the consultation included: a new Marine Village alongside the Marine Lake; a new rail, bus and cycling interchange on Chapel Street; a new cinema, dining and events space in the former Beales building and Wayfarers Arcade; an all-year-round indoor leisure attraction; a co-working space and apartments in the former Debenhams building on Lord Street; a new ‘gateway’ and visitor centre at Ainsdale; and a new creative hub in the former McDonalds building on Lord Street.
New ‘Big Ideas’ put forward by local people through the consultation included: a new world class skate park; the regeneration of the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown; a new eco park at Bedford Park in Birkdale; and a Victorian themed festival for Lord Street.
Chaired by Rob Fletcher of Fletcher’s Solicitors, Southport’s Town Deal Board has been meeting monthly since January 2020 with the purpose to develop and agree a Town Investment Plan, which includes extensive conversations and consultation with Southport’s residents, business owners, visitors and young people. Despite the pandemic the process saw more than 2,000 consultation responses and more than 5,000 total engagements.
In addition, recently over 700 children from schools across Southport gave their vital feedback and what they see as challenges and opportunities for the future of the town.
At a meeting of the Sefton Council Cabinet today plans were also approved to help the regeneration of Bootle town centre.
Cabinet approved £650,000 of Combined Authority funding for its plans to redevelop the Strand shopping centre and Bootle town centre.
While in Bootle the approval of the £650,000 will be used to clear and make good the land adjacent to the Strand and the adjacent Leeds Liverpool Canal.
This work is the first stage of plans to re-animate the town centre by bringing interim uses to the currently unused areas in and around the Strand, which the Council sees as a cornerstone of Bootle town centre’s regeneration.
A partnering arrangement with the Canals and Rivers Trust would also integrate the site with the canal to enable it to be brought fully back into use and provide a possible ‘waterway link’ to Bramley Moore Dock in advance of the proposed new Everton FC stadium.
Both schemes will play a major role in the economic recovery of Sefton from the impacts of Covid-19.
Welcoming the news of funding to support the council’s regeneration of Bootle, Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We have already started engaging with local people and businesses in Bootle as well as other stakeholders to shape the details of proposed interim uses.
“This engagement includes the Bootle Festival of Ideas which was launched at the beginning of September.
“This funding is the first stage in making possible the exciting ‘Meanwhile Uses’ we have planned for The Strand and Bootle town centre.
“The interim plans will transform the space in the short term while we continue to develop our ambitious, long-term plans for Bootle, which include attracting new private sector investment to create a town centre that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.”
Southport Town Deal Board Chair Rob Fletcher added: “The partnership approach of the Town Deal Board has been wonderful to see.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to all those people who have taken the time to respond to the online questionnaire or leave a comment on social media. I would in particular like to thank all the teachers and pupils from right across the town, who have taken real care and time to come up with some wonderful and thoughtful suggestions for the future of their home.
“I will be writing back to each school in the coming weeks to share my thanks and feedback on behalf of the board, as this is a conversation that we would like to continue beyond our October submission date.”
For more information about the Southport Town Deal please visit the Southport Town Deal section on the Stand Up For Southport website: https://standupforsouthport.com/town-deal/
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