An artist's impression of The Cove Resort in Southport

The Cove Resort, a new £75m development in Southport, could give a huge boost to the mental health and wellbeing of locals and visitors from across the UK – thanks to its impressive ‘Blue Health’ benefits.

A pre-application for the resort on the Southport seafront has now been lodged with Sefton Council. The new resort could be open as early as 2025.

The new landmark could offer breath-taking views across the coast in one direction, and across ‘The Cove’s’ lagoon towards the Marine Lake beyond in the other.

The development is embracing years of research that points to the substantial benefits of ‘Blue Health’. The studies show that where people spend time both in and around the water, they enjoy tremendous health benefits.

Southport was founded in the 18th century as a retreat where visitors from the industrialised cities could come and take in the restorative benefits of the clean, sea air and all that a seaside resort offered. The Cove’s ambitions are reflective of Southport’s grand past.

The concept is a resort providing multiple leisure and relaxation offerings to day-visitors and those staying longer. There will be something for all members of a group or family. It will consist of three elements:

  • ‘Leisure Beach’ 
  • ‘Thermal Spa’ 
  • Four-star hotel.

Co-founder Tony Howard said: “The Leisure Beach is all things active. Visitors will be able to choose from indoor swimming, surfing and other water activities in the lagoon, plus several indoor and outdoor leisure activities focused on fitness and fun.

“The Thermal Spa talks to the town’s history for bathing houses and hydropathy. If you imagine pools of water at different temperatures, steam rooms, saunas, hammams, a flotation pool etc. Users could take ‘circuits’ of hot and cold or just dwell in our outdoor heated relaxation pool. This would all look out onto the beautiful lagoon and terraces. 

“You can visit and enjoy all the active pursuits in The Cove and along the coastline, or relax within the thermal spa and other facilities. Not everyone wants to be active, at least, not all of the time! 

“Many people seek out somewhere where they can rest. People are looking for a ‘reset’.

We are now more health conscious than we have ever been.

“Compared to say 40 years ago, we are much more aware of our lifestyle and health choices, and how these choices impact us in our later life.

“For example, someone who was 50-years-old in the 1980s would look very different to someone who is 50 years young today.

“Extending lifespan is one thing but it is just as important to increase our ‘healthspan’, taking action now to live healthier and more active lives well into our ‘mature’ years.

“For those wishing to stay for longer at The Cove and Southport, we can help them with their wellness, assisting in ‘resetting’ their lifestyle in terms of fitness, relaxation, even dietary needs, and send them on their way.”

 “We want to be able to offer wellness breaks. We also wish to stage festivals and events, such as fitness festivals and lifestyle events.

“‘Sunny’ Southport has a dynamic climate. Visitors to The Cove can calibrate how they engage with the elements. Active and relaxation facilities can range from being fully indoors, indoors yet under a clear roof, outdoors under our large clear veranda, or fully outdoors embracing all the elements.

“In much the same way as the original bathing lake, our south-facing terraces and lagoon will be sheltered from the sea winds. When you think of the word ‘cove’ it conjures up images of a sheltered bay on the coast.

“The terrace and main public space would be above the height of Southport Sea Wall, and glass facades would offer panoramic views of the coastline in one direction, and of the lagoon and the marine lake in the other.”

The Cove would utilise the powers of ‘Blue Health’ to ensure guests and visitors really benefit from their time at the resort and the town. 

Blue Health is a pan-European Universities research project that has been investigating the links between ‘blue spaces’, climate, and health. 

It examines how wellbeing can be improved through the development of ‘blue infrastructure’.

Southport is home to great beaches, woods and water sports

Southport is home to great beaches, woods and water sports

Tony Howard said: “You don’t have to be in the water to benefit from Blue Health, simply being around water can have a positive impact.

“The research demonstrates that blue spaces – in particular where the water meets beaches, promenades, boardwalks, and lakesides – have a profound impact on improving people’s mental health.

“The Georgians and Victorians were eager to escape the unhealthy and often dangerous industrialised towns and cities, for sea bathing, sea air and the bathing houses of Southport. They recognised it as a physical and mental tonic.

“Today we are attached to our phones and devices, we find it difficult to escape from social media and the digital ‘noise’, we often occupy built-up urban environments, and these all have a detrimental impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

“Spending more time around blue spaces greatly reduces anxiety and depression.

“Blue spaces also help to increase people’s physical activity too.

“The research discovered that people dwell for 50% longer in blue spaces than in green spaces such as parks or woodlands. Community bonds are stronger also. 

“Since moving from the city, back to my hometown of Southport, I have sought out those blue spaces. I regularly walk to, and around, Marine Lake, and cycle up to Ainsdale Beach.

“Living in a city environment you don’t necessarily realise just how it can negatively impact your mental health and wellbeing at a subconscious level.

“Coming to Southport there is a real sense of space. The open landscape has a really calming impact on your mental wellbeing.

“Blue health is not just about The Cove, it’s available to us all, across the entire town and the coastline.

“There is so much to offer in Southport and along our coastline – golf, kitesurfing, cycling, paddle-boarding, the amusement park, sand dunes, pinewoods, and the splendour of Lord Street to name but a few. It’s a great place to live but I also think it should sing on the national stage. We view Southport as ‘The Northwest’s Coastal Playground’, we wish to enhance the offering, and promote it nationally, perhaps even beyond. 

“Hotel guests wouldn’t really need their vehicles during their stay, as this will be supported by our bicycle services. Once at The Cove, the town and the entire coast are easily accessible by bicycle and foot. The 22 miles of coastal cycle paths leading from RSPB nature reserve all the way to Burbo Bank, are glorious.

“The full range of health and wellbeing offerings will be available for locals too. Pop in for an hour or two and get your ‘fix’, get active in the fitness areas, relax in the thermal spa, or take part in the lagoon activities. Free time slots in the lagoon will be made available for local schools and other groups. Just by walking through our doors into the public areas you’ll experience Blue Health in all directions. 

“If done right, Southport Waterfront could be a collection of active experiences available to all. For example, we have spoken to those who have campaigned for many years to bring a high quality, high profile, concrete skatepark and bicycle pump track to the waterfront. These could be tremendous community assets and public realm for the town, and we wish to support that.”

A team of experts working to progress the scheme include architects Leonard Design, construction consultants WWA and wave providers Whitewater West.

The project will be private sector funded and discussions with investors are well advanced.

The full planning process could take a year followed by a construction period of a further two years. 

 

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

45 Comments
  1. tlovertonet 3 months ago

    It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!

  2. The Hidden Pages 2 months ago

    Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  3. Cassadie 1 month ago

    I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
    I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  4. Neilson 1 month ago

    After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a
    comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact
    same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove
    me from that service? Thanks!

  5. Tye 1 month ago

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across
    this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a
    lot. I am hoping to provide one thing again and aid others like
    you helped me.

  6. Elisheba 1 month ago

    I need to to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it.
    I’ve got you bookmarked to look at new things you post…

  7. Keep functioning ,splendid job!

  8. Yamileth 4 weeks ago

    Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using?

    Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website
    loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  9. Elliott 4 weeks ago

    Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo
    News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?

    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Appreciate it

  10. situs slot 4 weeks ago

    You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you
    write. The world hopes for more passionate writers ⅼike you whho are not afraid to mention how thϳey ƅelieve.

    All thеe time follow your heart.

    my page: situs slot

  11. Scrap iron removal 4 weeks ago

    Metal waste inventory Ferrous material handling guidelines Iron scrap processing

    Ferrous metal recovery center, Iron waste management, Metal reclaiming yard collection

  12. Bradley 4 weeks ago

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking
    into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get set up?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions
    or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it

  13. Flora 4 weeks ago

    No matter if some one searches for his required thing, so he/she wants to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.

  14. click here 4 weeks ago

    Hey Guys its your girl Spicy J. Ready to entertain you!

  15. Judson 4 weeks ago

    Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your site unintentionally,
    and I am shocked why this coincidence did not came about earlier!
    I bookmarked it.

  16. Shasta 4 weeks ago

    Right now it appears like BlogEngine is the top blogging platform available right now.
    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  17. Brett 4 weeks ago

    I am in fact delighted to read this web site posts which consists of tons of
    useful facts, thanks for providing these kinds of data.

  18. Chanda 4 weeks ago

    Hey! I realize this is sort of off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does building a well-established blog such as
    yours take a large amount of work? I’m completely new to operating a blog but I do write in my diary everyday.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand new
    aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  19. Angie 4 weeks ago

    Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual
    effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I
    hesitate a lot and never seem to get anything done.

  20. Genevieve 4 weeks ago

    Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! We
    are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You
    have done a extraordinary job!

  21. Trey 4 weeks ago

    This piece of writing gives clear idea designed for the new users of blogging, that in fact how to do
    blogging and site-building.

  22. Belinda 4 weeks ago

    Hi! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site
    with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely
    loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Excellent blog and excellent design.

  23. FC 4 weeks ago

    I go to see each day some blogs and sites to read posts, however this website gives quality based posts.

  24. Lemuel 4 weeks ago

    I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and
    interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve
    hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too
    few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I
    came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.

  25. Janis 4 weeks ago

    Seriously many of great information.

    my web blog http://www.Jusarangchurch.com/?document_srl=7187143

  26. WO 4 weeks ago

    Just want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post
    is just spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated
    with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

  27. AH 4 weeks ago

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this brilliant blog!

    I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to new updates and will share this site
    with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  28. QN 4 weeks ago

    It’s great that you are getting ideas from this article as well as from our discussion made
    at this time.

  29. IY 3 weeks ago

    My brother suggested I might like this web site.
    He was entirely right. This post actually made my
    day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info!
    Thanks!

  30. Kate 3 weeks ago

    Great article.

  31. LZ 3 weeks ago

    Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse
    your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways,
    wonderful site!

  32. Alicia 3 weeks ago

    An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker
    who had been conducting a little research on this.
    And he in fact bought me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this subject here
    on your web site.

  33. Metal recovery and reprocessing facility Ferrous material demand forecast Iron scrap storage

    Ferrous metal recycling knowledge, Iron recovery, Metal scrap facility

  34. Ladonna 3 weeks ago

    I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
    I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  35. EO 3 weeks ago

    I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This
    piece of writing posted at this web page is actually good.

  36. YI 3 weeks ago

    I used to be able to find good information from your blog posts.

  37. Dale 3 weeks ago

    Hello there, I found your blog by way of Google at the same time as searching for a related matter, your website came up, it seems great.
    I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just became alert to your weblog through Google, and found that it’s
    really informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels.

    I’ll be grateful when you proceed this in future.

    A lot of other people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  38. PF 3 weeks ago

    Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Many thanks,
    However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.
    I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it.
    Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues? Anyone who knows the
    solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  39. Susanne 3 weeks ago

    Hello i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere,
    when i read this post i thought i could also create comment due
    to this good paragraph.

  40. warung makan 3 weeks ago

    Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to revisit once again since i have book-marked it.
    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  41. Lane 3 weeks ago

    Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness
    in your post is simply great and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

  42. Sustainable metal recycling initiatives Ferrous material sustainability measures Iron scrap reclaiming center

    Ferrous material reclaiming technology, Iron waste recovery yard, Scrap metal disposal yard

  43. Hi my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.

  44. Recycling iron scraps 2 weeks ago

    Metal recycling and recovery Ferrous material classification systems Iron waste restoration

    Ferrous metal recycler, Iron waste reclaiming and recycling, Sustainable scrap metal practices

  45. Evan Hancock 4 days ago

    Hi there, its good post concerning media print, we all be familiar with media is a greatsource of information.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?