“We don’t seem to know whether we want to be ‘high end’ or ‘kiss me quick'”
“We don’t seem to know whether we want to be ‘high end’ or ‘kiss me quick'”
“Southport’s status and future as a seaside town looks bleak.” These were the words of former MP and local councillor, John Pugh last week as he submitted a motion to a full council chamber and asked whether Southport could still be considered a ‘seaside town’.
As he put forward the motion, Cllr Pugh highlighted the impasse around Southport pier, which has been closed for more than two years, and the increasing “muddiness” of its beach. Sefton Council said they are committed to the renovation and reopening of Southport Pier and are constantly monitoring the conditions in and around the pleasure beach.
However, after closing the pier in 2022 over safety concerns, the local authority admit they do not have the money to fix its longstanding problems.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Sefton Council has and will continue to invest resources and funds into the Southport Pier project and there is an incredible depth of planning that is being done to put the Pier in the best possible position so that refurbishment can begin swiftly once vital and necessary funding is secured.”
The council’s work on the pier is part of a wider strategy to regenerate the town. Just last week, work began on the redevelopment of the ‘Market Quarter’, funding was secured for the future refurbishment of the Leo’s Bar building and the council confirmed their new ‘Enterprise Arcade’ will be opened this spring.
The £73m Marine Lake Events Centre project is well underway and is a landmark development expected to attract 288,000 visitors a year. Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Skills and Economy, Cllr Paulette Lappin said: “Not only are these projects directly impactful but they have also catalysed significant private sector investment, with exciting developments such as the Cove Resort project, enhanced Pleasureland attractions and renewed interest in key sites like the Waterfront Hotel and the former BHS building.”
Although these regeneration projects are welcomed by people living and working in Southport, many fear for what the future holds for the town. Brenda has lived in Formby for the last 49 years and regularly visits Southport for shopping. She used to bring her children to the town and frequently visited the pier with family and friends. However, Brenda said the area has changed markedly over recent years.
She said: “It used to be so pretty and bustling and the buildings were lovely. It was a great place to visit especially for the kids.
“In terms of what I understand it to be, I couldn’t describe it as a seaside town now. It’s gone scruffier. The shops are empty. It just feels it’s on the decline.
“It needs something, but I couldn’t tell you what, but it obviously needs something. We’ll have to wait and see what they come up with and I just hope I live long enough to see an improvement.”
For some, the improvements to the town can’t come quick enough. David Winn is the owner of Met Quarter Tattoo in Southport where he has been operating for almost eight years.
Dave has lived in the town for most of his life after moving as a young child and has plenty of ideas on how to improve the area – including more input from local businesses.
Dave is sceptical about regeneration projects like ‘Transformation de Southport’ which is aimed at places like Market Street, and feels a lot of independent businesses have been cut out of the conversation, particularly around the impact of ongoing roadworks.
Dave remains unconvinced the reopening of the pier is the “silver bullet” to Southport’s problems. Dave said: “When I was a lot younger, Southport was a vibrant, thriving town, but anything that they’ve done to sort of modernise it has ruined most of it. These projects are always projected as ‘it’s going to be the greatest thing’.
“There’s plenty of empty units in amazing buildings just lying empty and also in a bad condition. We should be lowering rates and rent and supporting new businesses and spending some money on refurbishing these existing spaces.”
Dave added: “There is a lot of potential here but we have a bit of an identity crisis at the moment and are stuck between an idea. We don’t seem to know whether we want to be ‘high end’ or ‘kiss me quick’”.
The potential of Southport is what attracted Tracy Jones, who opened The Plant Room shop in early 2023, to the area after moving from Brighton. Tracy’s husband is from Southport so she visited the town for much of her adult life before finally settling there two years ago.
Tracy fell in love with Southport’s architecture and the “beautiful” shop fronts and decorations displayed up and down Lord Street. She was also excited to open up a business in the town and saw its rich potential, but was equally realistic about the pace of change and how quickly the town could be regenerated.
The Plant Room is located on Market Street where redevelopment works are underway to pedestrianise the area, improve interconnectivity and create new public spaces. It is welcome news to many of the businesses around Market Street who hope the project will result in increased footfall. Nonetheless, it also means major roadworks for the next ten months.
Tracy said: “We’re all a little bit apprehensive about it. We just don’t know what the impact is going to be and whether it will stop people visiting the area.
“We also know there has to be a small amount of inconvenience in order for progress to happen. There is lots of potential here, but we need a bit of belief and investment.”
Someone with no shortage of belief is Norman B. Wallis who has owned Pleasureland since 2007 and witnessed the town’s evolution. He is incredibly upbeat about Southport’s future prospects – even without the pier – and believes the town should continue to diversify its offer and broaden its appeal. He said: “Southport is full of opportunity and promise.”
Norman added: “We all share the same goal: the best possible future for Southport. By working together, focusing on positivity, and embracing a vision of vibrancy and opportunity, we will ensure Southport remains a thriving, welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.”
Despite the concerns over Southport’s future as a seaside town, all of the people we spoke to shared a desire to see the town restored to its former glory. But the area of contention was what approach is needed to achieve this.
Whatever the future holds for Southport, its identity will always be rooted in its history of leisure and tourism – a place to have fun and relax.
As we’re packing up for the day we run into a cyclist and his dog Otto who gave us a quick word on the future of the pier, he said: “I’m not sure what or when it will happen but I can say Otto will love walking along it again and hopefully we’ll get the chance one day soon.”
