The official opening date for the brand new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport has been revealed.
The £73million facility will be built on the site of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, which has been closed since March 2020.
It will also include the UK’s first lakeside sound and light show in the Marine Lake in front of the centre.
People will be able to see the new Marine Lake Events Centre and light show in action in Spring 2026, with the demolition of the current Southport Theatre and Convention Centre due to start in March next year.
Sefton Council has submitted a planning application for the ambitious proposals which are due to be decided before Christmas.
It is forecast that the project, being led by Sefton Council, will lead to the creation of 200 jobs, increase footfall to Southport by 515,212 people each year, and lead to additional spend in the local economy of £12.2million every year.
In terms of broader impact across the town, it is projected that the Southport Town Investment Plan, of which the Marine Lake Events Centre is the most substantial project, could become the catalyst to attract up to £400million of additional private sector investment.
The scheme will be discussed at the next meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority this Friday (14th October), which is expected to agree to providing a further £17.7million to the project, adding to the £2.3million the LCRCA has already committed.
This will add to the £33.3million provided by the Government through the Southport Town Deal initiative.
Earlier this year, ASM Global was appointed as Sefton Council’s preferred venue operator for the Marine Lake Events Centre.
In a joint report to the meeting, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and The Third Sector Cllr Janette Williamson and Executive Director (Investment and Delivery) Dr Aileen Jones said:
“The MLEC venue would be handed over to ASM Global at the end of 2025, for operational opening in Spring 2026.
“Sefton Council has submitted a planning application for the development, with a decision likely to be made at the planning committee in November / December.
“The project team has commenced procurement processes for the appointment of a main contractor under a two-stage design and build route. An appointment is expected in December 2022 with a start on site for demolition in March 2023.”
The £73m project would create a 1,500-capacity theatre and events and conference centre.
The new complex would also boast a 1,500 sqm exhibition hall and the UK’s first lakeside sound and light show.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“Southport holds a special place in the hearts of so many people in our city region and beyond as being a family-favourite destination for days out and holidays alike. While we’re incredibly proud of the town’s history and heritage, I firmly believe that Southport’s best days still lie ahead.
“Building on its legacy as a tourist town, I want to ensure that Southport can continue to thrive and attract visitors for many years to come.”
Councillor Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said:
“As the largest investment project included within the Southport Town Deal, the Marine Lake Events Centre will provide Southport with an incredible events space with state-of-the-art facilities to attract a wide range of different types of entertainment events and audiences to Southport.
“We believe that attractions such as this will create a genuinely unique visitor experience and will only serve to strengthen our visitor economy.”
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