“Delays” to a much-anticipated, multi-million pound regeneration project, are putting hoteliers out of business, according to a prominent local councillor
Everything you need to know about fears for seaside town’s hotels
“Delays” to a much-anticipated, multi-million pound regeneration project, are putting hoteliers out of business, according to a prominent local councillor
The MLEC Marine Lake Events Centre construction site, Southport(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Everything you need to know
- “Delays” to a much-anticipated, multi-million pound regeneration project, are putting hoteliers out of business, according to a prominent councillor, who also pointed out the escalating costs of the scheme. Cllr John Pugh was referring to developments along Southport’s Promenade which has undergone significant change over the last two years, after the town’s historic former theatre was torn down.
- Last month, Sefton council provided an update on the situation, and said it had entered into a PCSA with VINCI Construction, making the building firm the ‘preferred contractor’ for the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre.
- However, it is now 16 months since work started on the demolition of STCC, and despite the council’s recent deal with VINCI, people are still waiting for confirmation of when MLEC will finally be completed, and available to the public. For some, including Dukes ward councillor John Pugh, this wait is now turning into genuine concern.
- Cllr Pugh is worried the number of hotel bed spaces in the town is decreasing, he said: “It’s five years since the Floral Hall closed and having a replacement eight years later has a real world impact. Smaller hotels live from year to year and don’t have the funds to patiently await the new dawn. Ironically a plan that was designed to boost the hotel offer has through delays done the opposite.”
- However, these words did not go unnoticed by Sefton Council leader, Cllr Marion Atkinson who responded to Cllr Pugh’s comments, and backed the local authority’s progress with MLEC. She said: “The Council has long had a clear strategy for an ambitious future for Southport town centre, built on the extensive consultation and engagement process.”
READ THE FULL STORY: ‘Delays to major £73m project are forcing hotels out of business in Merseyside town’
