World Class Waterfront

Overview

The waterfront is the area between the promenade and the beach. It contains some of the town’s best loved features including parks and gardens, the iconic pier, the Marine Lake, Pleasureland and the theatre and convention centre. It is an important area in welcoming visitors, and the leisure and business tourism it caters for supports many businesses and jobs in Southport. The masterplan proposes improvements and investment in this area so that it offers a “world class” experience.  

What you’ve already told us…

• Tourism is the biggest employer in the town
• We need to invest in new and improved visitor attractions
• The Marine Lake could be improved
• The Southport Theatre and Conference Centre is a great asset but it needs significant investment
• Kings Gardens and Victoria Park are much loved features
• The Pier has already benefited from restoration and is looking great
• Events bring in lots of visitors and spending to the town – we should host more and have more variety
• There is a need for better hotels
• There are no activities to do when it rains
• The beach is part of Southport’s unique identity and character. How can we get people visiting the beach for the day to spend money in the town centre?

Big Ideas for Change

Our Big Ideas are described below: 

1. Create a new, all weather visitor attraction at Pleasureland to boost visitor numbers all year round

2. Major investment in The Southport Theatre and Convention Centre to capture more business conferences and entertainment events, increasing visitors to the town as well as spending in shops, hotels and restaurants

3. Encourage investment in 4* quality hotels along the Promenade and Esplanade to increase the supply of good quality hotel rooms at the heart of the waterfront as well as high quality self-catering accommodation along the Lake Edge

4. Create opportunities for living by the waterfront, overlooking the Marine

Lake to increase the number of residents and spending in the town centre (e.g. a Marine Village with views to the Lake, the beach and the Municipal Golf Course)

5. Animate the Marine Lake to create spectacular displays all year round and to encourage visitors to stay for the evening and overnight (for example using light shows and water displays)

6. Improve pedestrian crossings to the Marine Lake and King's Park

7. Invest in the public realm (e.g. footpaths, street furniture, lighting, signage) and create a better pedestrian experience along the key streets linking the Promenade with Lord Street (for example Nevill Street and Scarisbrick Avenue)

8. Improve the quality of the public realm along Marine Parade and the junction with Marine Drive (e.g. through the use of public art)

What happens next

We will review all feedback received and use this to inform our bid for £25 million from the Towns Fund, which will be submitted to the Government later this year. This will be an ongoing conversation between residents, businesses, the Town Deal Board, Sefton Council and Government and there will be more opportunities to get involved.