Sefton Council is delighted to announce it has been successful in a bid to secure additional National Lottery funding for the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £1.6m to the local authority, who have been working alongside partners at the Southport Business Improvement District (BID).
The new additional funding award will be added to the council’s own contribution of £200,000 into a growing pot that could eventually amass up to £2.5 million for the project.
Sefton Council will use the funding towards property improvements, skills training and community activities within the Southport Townscape Heritage Project (STHP).
The STHP seeks to enhance the character and historical identity of Southport, including:
• The structural repair of historic buildings
• Reinstatement of authentic architectural features
• Educational programmes
• Enhanced use of vacant floor space in historical buildings
Cllr Darren Viedman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning & Building Control, said: “Since our first successful bid, a lot of work has been undertaken to fully develop the project including the adoption of the Conservation Area Management Plan, discussions with building owners, building property surveys and valuations, further public consultation and workshops with project partners.
“This additional funding will go towards our work to enhance the links between Lord Street and the Promenade reducing the vacant and poorly maintained properties and greatly increasing economic activity in these areas.
“The overall project also aims to increase local knowledge and appreciation of Southport’s rich heritage and inspire future generations using specialist educational courses, innovative digital technology and complementary heritage-focused activities.
“We continue to work extremely closely with our partners at Southport BID and the Southport Civic Society as well as target property owners in the town to successfully deliver the scheme.”
David Renwick, National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Director for the North of England, said: “Many of the nation’s collective childhood memories are linked to the British seaside, but in recent years it has been saddening to see some of our coastal towns fall into disrepair.
“As the UK’s largest funder of heritage, here at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’re delighted to award a grant that will go towards reversing that decline in Southport and breathe new life into the buildings found in the Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Areas to be enjoyed all-year round.”
For more information about the STHP or to get involved please email Paul.Crowther@sefton.gov.uk or telephone 07971 811753.
To keep up to date with the project and find out more information on Southport’s Heritage, follow us on Twitter @SouthportTHP and Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/southportthp or visit https://www.sefton.gov.uk/townscape
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Born and raised on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, Celyn lives in Wirral with his family, is a co-founder of the internationally recognised and Wirral based Mad as Birds Films and a proud Welsh ambassador for the children’s charity Into Film.