Dates for when work will take to create exciting new projects through Southport Town Deal have been revealed.
Last year, Southport was awarded £38.5 million in Town Deal funding from the Government in order to kickstart the regeneration of the town.
It was the second highest amount awarded to any town in the UK, with the funding estimated to attract a further £400 million in private investment.
Sefton Council has now revealed updates on three of its major Town Deal schemes:
- Work on the £73 million new Marine Lake Events Centre will start this July in the form of the demolition of the former Southport Theatre. The construction project is due for completion in late 2025.
- Work on the new £1.5 million Southport Enterprise Arcade will begin later this year.
- Transport improvements under ‘Les Transformation de Southport’ on the area around Southport Market – King Street, Market Street, Eastbank Street – will begin this autumn.
Town Deal funding has already supported the transformation of Southport Market into a new food, drink and events space in a £1.4 million initiative.
It has also helped to find the Southport BID initiative to create ‘a boulevard of lights’ along the entire length of Lord Street, with local lighting firm IllumiDex UK Ltd installing 300,000 new lights.
This week, Sefton Council Cabinet Member Regeneration and Skills Cllr Marion Atkinson have an update on how the major Southport Town Deal schemes are progressing.
Marine Lake Events Centre
Cllr Atkinson said: “The largest and most significant project in the programme is the £73m Marine Lake Events Centre and Water and Light show.
“This secured the next stage of approval following planning approval in April 2023 and a programme of demolition and enabling work is planned to start in the summer.
“Once demolition and enabling works are complete, the main works will commence, this is planned for January 2024. ASM Global has been announced as the operator.
“The construction project is still due for completion in late 2025 with ASM then doing final fit out.
“Kier Construction has been appointed to undertake the demolition and construction work.”
The Enterprise Arcade, Southport
Cllr Atkinson said: “Refurbishment of Crown Buildings in Southport’s town centre for a new business hub is a key Town Deal project.
“This will be the first ever purpose-built workspaces for start-up creative and digital businesses in Southport and forms part of the Southport Town Deal.
“Design work is finalised for the construction contract element and the project management consultant has been appointed and contract documents are in preparation to allow contractor tendering early summer 2023 with works starting on site later in 2023.
“In May Cabinet approved a report which agreed £224,000 toward work on the building’s structure as well as the location of IT provision and connections.”
Les Transformation de Southport
Cllr Atkinson said: “The first phase of transportation improvements, focussing on the area around Southport Market – King Street, Market Street, Eastbank Street – is progressing with detailed design work completed for the main programme of work commencing in the autumn after the summer season to avoid disruption.
“Consultation on the final design work remains ongoing to ensure full account of all stakeholder views in the final elements of the design.”
Building a Better Customer Experience
Cllr Atkinson said: “New learning modules have now been developed by Southport College and will be piloted amongst their existing learners.
“Southport College will utilise their existing resources in delivering the modules and, as it is still in its early stage of development, performance monitoring will take place once delivery is embedded.
“In relation to Equality, Southport already has embedded a range of strategies in place to ensure equal access for all but will take up the offer from the Council to test out some of the modules with a range of focus groups.
“The focus groups will identify any diversity that may be flagged up within the modules in relation to physical, visual, hearing needs etc of the client group and also consider issues around cultural awareness within customer care and interaction.
“Southport College is currently engaging with a range of employers and linking in with InvestSefton, they are also keen to sign up to the Caring Business Charter. Regular meetings have been scheduled to track progress and performance.”
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