Southport will thrive if we support local businesses and celebrate what’s unique about our town

Southport can have a really bright future ahead – and it will thrive as long as it embraces everything which makes it unique. 

That was the message from a superb night of discussion with Birkdale Civic Society on Thursday night. 

I was invited to give a presentation and take part in a Q and A on the Southport Town Deal Big Ideas and consultation, on behalf of Stand Up For Southport. 

Some superb ideas came from the meeting, but all with a firm feeling that Southport is special, and we have much that we can build on. 

Birkdale of course has thrived in this respect. It is a stunning example of a Victorian village which has maintained and increased its charm over the years. 

There are not many villages left where you can still find independent butchers, greengrocers, fishmongers, florists, bakers – and even an award-winning cheese shop. 

I remember when Birkdale seemed to shut up shop at 5pm every day. But in recent years there has been an influx of top quality bars and restaurants, such as Bistrot Verite, Allotment, Villaggio Cucina, Cafe Bar N’Ista, Tea Rooms, Rumah, Bombay Blussi, Birkers, Wine Rack, Fylde Fish Bar, Barrel House and others, which give the village new life and atmosphere. 

Bistrot Vérité, in Birkdale Village in Southport

The village looks stunning with shop frontages and verandahs diligently maintained by business owners. Hundreds of flowers are planted throughout the village by Birkdale Civic Society, which also does a huge amount of other work in the area, for example at Birkdale Train Station. 

Volunteers are working hard to restore the old Station Master’s House, which promises to be a great new attraction. 

There are many things which Southport can learn from Birkdale’s success. 

Maintaining buildings to a good standard, supporting local independent businesses and creating a pleasant atmosphere are important. 

It is good to see £2.5million funding already secured for the Southport Townscape Heritage Project in Southport, a scheme which is much needed. The heritage-led regeneration programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage (NLHF) to improve historic town centres in need of investment, will see property improvements, skills training and community activities.

Southport town centre also benefits from the Southport Business Improvement District which has appointed a local firm, J&A Japonicas, to put smiles on people’s faces as they return to shop in one of Britain’s most floral towns by planting thousands of flowers.

Members of Birkdale Civic Society were particularly keen to see local, independent traders in our town flourish. They mentioned Wesley Street in Southport and Bold Street in Liverpool as two areas where independent businesses are thriving. 

A state-of-the-art interchange facility (including bus / train / pedestrian / cycle), a new multi-storey car park, offices, cafes and convenience shops could be built in Southport town centre Under Southport Town Deal plans

One idea was to create a better entrance to Southport Station, and then an attractive route from the station straight down London Street and Nevill Street right up to Southport Pier, better connecting the town centre with Southport’s seafront. 

Southport Town Deal has mentioned some big schemes, such as: a new bus, rail and cycle interchange; a new Marine Village next to the Marine Lake; a new co-working and apartment space where Debenhams department store on Lord Street was; and a new Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. 

But Birkdale Civic Society members said that the process should also be about “having some quick wins, as well as big plans.

“Smarten things up, encourage small shops, make the Wesley Street model recurrent throughout town. It’s a great example of regeneration and how a few small changes can really change the way an area is viewed.” 

Leyland Arcade, now Wayfarers Arcade, on Lord Street in Southport

Southport’s stunning Wayfarers Arcade, with its rich history and stunning architecture, was also held up as a place where independent traders could thrive under the right conditions. 

Birkdale Village has become a superb place to visit and Southport can be too. 

The message from Birkdale Civic Society was clear. Let’s make Southport great again. Let’s build on what we have that is special and unique, such as Lord Street, Southport Pier, the Marine Lake, Wayfarers Arcade, Wesley Street, and most importantly our local, independent businesses. 

It’s about Southport Town Deal, Sefton Council and Southport BID working together to create the right conditions for local independent businesses to start up in Southport and to thrive once they are here. But it is also about people in Southport choosing to Shop Local and Eat Local and support our local shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, hairdressers, beauty salons and others. 

August is the month of Eat Out To Help Out and that is a great place to start. 

Let’s make Southport a place famous for being unique, and where local businesses thrive. 

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com