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A brand new, 1200-seater, first class events space is being planned for Southport.

The Marine Lake Events Centre (a working title suggested by one of the 300-plus schoolchildren who responded to the targeted consultation on the project) will provide Southport with a flexible events space targeted at the mid-sized conferencing market, but with particular emphasis on the e-sports market.

As one of the Southport students said, “making Southport cool”.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “The existing Southport Theatre and Convention Centre has a long and proud history and is an asset that stirs great passion among Sandgrounders, in an incredible location in town, but in need of radical transformation of the building and its offer.

“But the venue closed earlier this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, so this project would redevelop the site creating a new events complex with state-of-the-art technical facilities, to attract a wide range of different types of entertainment events and audiences to Southport.”

The auditorium will also be suitable for large conferences, supported by a fully flexible and sub-divisible spaces, a 1,500 m2 exhibition space capable of hosting over 3,000 people for major esports events, and designed to continue to accommodate the type of community-led events currently held in the Floral Hall.

A fully accessible new pier, extending the connections from the Upper Promenade, through the atrium to the Marine Lake, completed by a floor lighting feature at the end, will connect with the spectacular Light Fantastic installation also proposed via the Town Deal.  These two spectacular projects together form a proposition and a destination unique to the UK leisure and conferencing markets, which it is hoped will drive increased visitor numbers, both day and staying.

Creating over 230 new jobs in the town (plus an additional 160 in its construction) the venue will bring a major boost to Southport’s economy, attracting more than 300,000 new visitors to Southport every year, including more than 100,000 from outside the Liverpool City Region.

Cllr Maher continued: “The project is the centrepiece of the Town Deal bid submitted to government on 30^th October by the Southport Town Deal board, given the board’s recognition of its importance to the local economy and its prominence in the consultation and engagement feedback.  It will also be a catalyst for wider investment and development, as evidenced by Go Surf’s vision for the Southport Cove project announced last week.

“Feedback on the Town Deal bid is expected in the New Year.”

A world class venue, with sustainability at its heart, the building will be BREEAM Excellent.

More information about the Southport Town Deal is available here.

Southport Town Deal Board has submitted an ambitious £50 million plan to the government to transform the fortunes of the popular coastal town, which include a new waterside events centre, all weather visitor attractions, new business incubators and a spectacular light show in the Marine Lake.

The funding will kickstart a wider £400 million investment in the town and bring 1,250 additional jobs to the area as a result of the initial projects.

The bid is part of the government’s Town Deals Fund, developed to ‘level up’ and drive the economic regeneration of towns across England.

The Southport Town Deal bid includes a new convention and events centre on the site of the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, which closed earlier this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The space would house a 1,200-seat auditorium, exhibition halls as well as a cafe and co-working space. This state-of-the-art facility has been designed for flexible use and targeted at attracting new types of events such as esports to the North West region.

The plan also aims to regenerate the town centre and drive business growth. Lord Street, the town’s grand boulevard that inspired the Champs Elysees, would be restored to its former glory and a new events space created. A business incubator is proposed in one of Southport’s former shopping arcades providing much needed space for the town’s digital and creative businesses. A larger Enterprise Store would also be developed in a former department store building to provide scale-up accommodation for growing businesses.

An immersive water, light and sound show experience is proposed on the Marine Lake. Meanwhile the existing Southport Pleasureland would also be transformed, partnering with a globally recognised brand to create a themed indoor attraction open to visitors all year round.

Rob Fletcher, Chair of the Town Board commented: “Our plan has been informed by the biggest conversation that the town has ever had about its future. We’ve had 7,000 pieces of individual feedback from residents, business and visitors. 700 school children from the town have also put their ideas forward. Our plan is designed to provide opportunities for our current residents and future generations.”

Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive at Sefton Council, said: “The Town Deal process has raised the profile of Southport with investors and we can already see the positive effect it is having. For example, Sefton Council has just announced an exclusivity agreement with GoSurf to create The Southport Cove Resort. This £40m privately financed investment will bring a unique surf wave pool and wellness and spa facilities to the heart of the town. The resort will add value to our Town Deal plan and complement our proposed projects, such as the convention and events centre and Marine Lake experience.”

Planning and development consultancy, Turley has supported the Town Deal Board through the process.

Richard Laming, Senior Director at Turley, said: “This plan signals a clear intent to the government and other investors that Southport has a clear vision for the future. The projects are unique and investable, and have the ability to leverage significant regeneration benefits to accelerate the region’s recovery from Covid-19.”

A decision on the funding is expected early 2021 and further details of projects will be released in the next few weeks.