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Plans to transform one of Southport’s many heritage buildings into the town’s first ever purpose designed workspace for creative and digital start-up businesses has taken a huge step forward.

Sefton Council has this week identified Liverpool based Baltic Creative Community Interest Company (CIC) as the preferred operator of the ‘Enterprise Arcade’ – a high tech, collaborative and affordable workspace for small businesses in the heart of Southport

Forming part of the Southport Town Deal, £1.5 million has been earmarked for the regeneration and transformation of Crown Buildings, eventually creating a purpose built 15,000sq ft hub for individuals, freelancers, enterprises, and independent professionals who are taking their first steps into setting up and growing their own business.

The Enterprise Arcade project reaffirms the commitment of Sefton Council and its partners to maximising the potential of the digital, creative and technological sectors within the resort.

The Baltic Creative team are experts in providing dedicated commercial spaces specifically designed for the creative and digital industries. The CIC manages over 118,00 sq. ft of workspace in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle district, which is home to over 180 businesses, who in turn support over 600 members of staff.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “This is a key project for the regeneration and economic diversification of Southport’s economy.

“The Enterprise Arcade will incorporate Crown Buildings and vacant retail units on the ground floor of Eastbank Street. The new repurposed workspace will join Southport’s regenerated and already successful Market in demonstrating how new life can be brought back to these fantastic buildings, encouraging more investment and helping secure a positive future for the town.

“Our Enterprise Arcade will be the ideal location for a whole host of start-up and growing businesses and individuals, whether they be in the early incubator stages of developing their brand or simply in need of flexibility and an agile approach to their working practices.

“Furthermore, the space  will be able to collaborate and integrate with the already exceptional cultural and educational services provided at The Atkinson, promoting and supporting the development of a focused creative and digital sector in the heart of Southport town centre.”

Dr. Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs, Chair of the Baltic Creative board, added: “It has long been our ambition to replicate the success that we’ve had within the Baltic Triangle to other areas of the Liverpool City Region, so it’s great to have reached this stage with Sefton Council and its plans for the Enterprise Arcade.

“Outside of Liverpool city centre, there is a real shortage of appropriate work and collaboration space for digital and creative businesses to flourish. We’ve seen first-hand the benefits that creating this kind of environment can bring and we’re looking forward to exploring what a Baltic Creative space in Southport could look like.”

Any businesses or entrepreneurs interested in taking space at the Enterprise Arcade, contact: info@baltic-creative.comor 0151 708 2840

The Marine Lake Events Centre & Water and Light Show project has reached a major milestone after Sefton Council submitted a detailed planning application for its creation.

The submission made today (Thursday, June 30th) follows a detailed public consultation process held by the council, which showed that 84% of residents and businesses in the resort are in favour of the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) being created.

Should the planning application be approved, The MLEC is expected to bring more than half a million visitors to Southport year on year, while generating an annual £18 million for the local economy.

The new development will provide first class theatre space, a conference and exhibition centre able to accommodate a wide range of events, and café and signature restaurant, providing facilities for both visitors and the community alike. The plans also include a new Water and Light show installation on the Marine Lake, with the working title of ‘The Light Fantastic.’

Designed to set Southport apart from other seaside towns, the show will be unique to the UK and will attract thousands of additional visitors to the town each year.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “Feedback from our recent consultation showed that 84% of residents and key stakeholders are just as passionate about the Marine Lake Events Centre as we are.

“These exciting and innovative designs will help attract a diverse range of quality events to the town all year round.

“The public recognises our ambitions to boost Southport’s cultural offer and visitor economy, as well as ultimately to support local businesses and increase spend.

“Our plans for the Marine Lake Events Centre and Water & Light Show directly compliments the ongoing and continued investment Sefton Council makes toward improving the future of the town for our amazing communities and visitors.”

Sefton Council is asking landowners and developers to suggest sites that may be suitable for a number of potential development projects such as new housing, traveller pitches, employment uses or retail.

The Council is looking for land that could be used for habitat improvements or outdoor recreation and sport.

As part of this initiative to assess how much land is available for development, the Council is particularly keen to hear from owners of vacant buildings.

All sites submitted will be assessed to see whether any redevelopment is possible, and this will be used in future update plans. If a site could be used in the future, landowners will be contacted.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control said:

“Sefton Council is looking at opportunities to improve the Borough for residents and businesses and this is a great way for us to see what land may be available in the future.

“We’re especially interested in hearing from landowners who have sites available for use, whether it’s previously developed land or vacant buildings.

“In having a record of suitable sites, we will be best prepared to make the development plans that most suit Sefton residents.”

Anyone who is interested in sharing details of potential sites should contact Sefton Council before Friday 12^th August. Details of any sites can be sent to local.plan@sefton.gov.uk and for more information, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/callforsites