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Borough Of Culture

Scarisbrick Avenue Regeneration project revealed by Sefton Council

20 October 2021
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Active Sefton, Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is set to engage with business owners and residents around Scarisbrick Avenue ahead of proposed regeneration works on the busy Southport thoroughfare.

A package of works worth nearly £1million are proposed including new, high quality paving, enhanced street lighting, improved pedestrian crossings, environmental additions and rejuvenated signage and CCTV equipment.

Businesses, residents and stakeholders are being informed about the works, which are intended to be completed in time for the 2022 summer season.

It is hoped the scheme will greatly improve the popular walkway, which connects the heart of Southport Town Centre with the Promenade and seafront, ultimately complementing the ongoing work of both the Southport Town Deal and the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control said: “Scarisbrick Avenue has seen an increase in footfall since 2020 with the addition of the impressive Red Rum mural, painted by famous local artist Paul Curtis, as part of the local authority’s Sefton’s Borough of Culture celebrations.

“The fantastic work of the Townscape Heritage Project team, along with the brilliant long term vision and successes we’re already seeing from the Southport Town Deal are creating a positive future for the town and these works on Scarisbrick Avenue are a much welcomed addition to those projects.”

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, added: “Scarisbrick Avenue is one of three main routes connecting Lord Street with the Promenade and its popularity over time has lead to some significant wear and tear.

“It has been a long standing ambition to secure funding to make improvements and we are delighted that we are now in a position to do so.

“The Southport Town Deal recognises the importance of high quality public spaces and the connections between the town centre and the seafront areas as major contributors to the future success of the town.

“These improvements to Scarisbrick Avenue were identified as one of the projects the Council was committed to delivering that would complement the proposals in the successful Town Deal bid and the Townscape Heritage Project.

“We are asking stakeholders and residents in the area what they think of an extensive package of environmental and heritage improvements, involving the replacement of worn out paving, better pedestrian crossing facilities and a new eco friendly lighting scheme to support the evening economy.”

A total of £920,000 has been allocated for the project via the Government’s Highways Challenge Fund grant and Sefton’s Growth Programme and is subject to approval of Sefton Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

Cllrs told to expect ‘surprising’ results of Southport Cycle Lane consultation

15 October 2021
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Latest News, Southport

The results of the recent Southport Active Travel Cycle Lane consultation will be presented to the November 9th Overview and Scrutiny committee (O&S), fulfilling the promises Sefton Council has continually made to ward councillors.

This decision preceded a formal request which has been made by five ward councillors to call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the council to discuss the same report.

At a meeting of full council in July, Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, guaranteed that an Overview and Scrutiny committee made up of cross-party councillors will be able to take a detailed look into the results of the much publicised consultation.

Ahead of the meeting Cllr Fairclough warned committee members may be very surprised at the picture painted by the feedback of residents and campaigners.

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services said: “As promised we will make the full results of this consultation public and subject it to cross-party scrutiny to ensure complete fairness and transparency.

“Those who take a look at the reports findings will see some unusual outcomes including multiple, and in one case 19, submissions from a single IP address and people responding to every single question with ‘strongly disagree’.

“I can understand there are people who do not agree with our proposals and there has been some high-profile opposition expressed.

“However, I have never known people to be so adamantly against plans to introduce crossing points that would improve road safety for pedestrians.

“My concern is that the genuine views of the people of Southport might have been hijacked in a coordinated response by people who don’t want to see these walking and cycling schemes go ahead and I look forward to hearing the views of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel.”

Common concerns expressed included the loss of street on-street parking for some residents and its possible impact on local businesses, the effect on journey times for Birkdale residents and the people driving to rugby tournaments and school events having to park further away.

Cllr Fairclough added: “As the report says, the Council put a lot of effort into encouraging people to take part in the consultation but it seems to have been mainly people who fit a certain profile who have responded in large numbers so we need to look at how we can try to get broader responses in the future.

“And, given the multiple submissions identified, we are going to need to build in ways of detecting this into future consultations, to ensure the outcomes are truly representative of a community’s views.”

A full report of the consultation’s feedback and comments will be publicly published on November 1st before being presented to an Overview & Scrutiny Committee on November 9th for a comprehensive analysis and consideration.

In order to ensure maximum transparency, Sefton Council’s Overview & Scrutiny committees are responsible for scrutinising a whole range of local authority functions and responsibilities and the impact those works may have on the local community.

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Exciting Enterprise Hub plans revealed for historic Southport building

29 September 2021
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News, Southport Town Deal

New life is set to be breathed into one of Southport’s most historic buildings as Sefton look to launch the town’s first ever purpose built workspace for start-up businesses.

Sefton Council’s Cabinet will meet next week where they are expected to formally approve plans to transform the Crown Buildings in Southport town centre into a high tech, collaborative and affordable workspace for small businesses, dubbed the ‘Enterprise Arcade.’

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 their own business.

The Enterprise Arcade project is yet another cornerstone in the Southport Town Deal programme, reaffirming the commitment of Sefton Council and its partners to kickstart the previously untapped digital, creative and technological sectors within the resort.

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, vacant retail units on the ground floor of Eastbank Street and adjoining office space above.

“Nationally we are seeing a move away from traditional working environments and more and more people are embracing flexible and hybrid work opportunities.

“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 Enterprise Arcade 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.”

Liverpool based architects K2 have been appointed to develop the feasibility designs for the Enterprise Arcade space. Procurement for detailed design work will commence later this year.

Sefton Council’s Cabinet will meet on Thursday, October 7to discuss the proposals and next steps for this exciting project.

Bavarian bonanza takes over Southport Market

23 September 2021
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

A Bavarian bonanza has taken over Southport Market for the venue’s inaugural Oktoberfest celebration.

Running until Sunday, September 26th, a cultural delight of entertainment, food and drink will be the first of many special Oktoberfest celebrations planned to take place annually at Southport Market.

Speciality German beer will be sold at the Market bar and food stall traders are encouraged to create limited edition Bavarian inspired dishes to compliment the amazing food offer already up for grabs.

To round off the celebrations, the world famous Bavarian Stompers Band will be performing twice on Sunday afternoon at 2pm and 4pm to entertain crowds on their way to the finale of the nearby British Musical Fireworks Championship.

The 2021 Southport Market Oktoberfest will be a pre-cursor to an even bigger Bavarian extravaganza to coincide with the launch of the market’s exclusive as yet unseen events space in later in the year.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “This weekend is going to be a bumper one for Southport and Sefton’s economy with thousands of people enjoying the very best events and entertainment in the North West.

“Not only do we have the famous British Musical Fireworks Championship wowing the crowds in Victoria Park from Friday to Sunday, but we have been exceptionally busy behind the scenes bringing pop-up events to Southport Market.

“This week sees the forerunner to our planned annual Oktoberfest Extravaganza event at the Market Events Space, as we put together an exciting five days of Bavarian delights, topped off with amazing performances by the world renowned Stompers!

“Once we launch our Events Space later in the year, we will be able to put on even bigger and varied celebrations to compliment the incredible successes that Southport Market is already enjoying.”

A number of general admission tickets are still available for all three nights of the British Musical Fireworks Championship, starting from £6, with seated tickets starting from £20. For further details and to book tickets head to www.visitsouthport.com.

Tens of thousands enjoy brand new Southport Market in just 48 hours

29 July 2021
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News, Southport, Southport Town Deal

More than ten thousand excited and hungry customers passed through the doors of the brand new Southport Market in its first 48 hours of opening.

After much excitement, Sefton Council opened the doors of the refurbished £1.4m Southport Market on Thursday, July 22 and immediately traders were made to handle the heat of what is the North West’s latest place to be for good food and drink.

In fact nearly 15,000 tasty treats, from wood fired pizzas to mouth watering bubble waffles, were served up to customers in the first 48 hours of the market’s launch, as thousands descended on the resort’s market quarter for a taste of the action.

Gavin Williams and James Kennedy, co-owners of Allotment; one of the ten stunning food stalls in the new look market, said they were delighted to be firing up the grills and serving up a selection of burgers, hot dogs and loaded fries meals.

Gavin said: “The council have been phenomenal and the market is already buzzing! I am sure this is the start of something amazing for Southport.

“We chose to be a part of the market after walking into the building for the first time and became instantly struck by how spectacular it looks.

“It is a real eye catching site and we know it will draw in so many people to the town.”

James added: “The investment that has been put into the market is fantastic and it is something that is completely different and we are very excited to be a part of it.”

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “It’s no surprise that already we are seeing tens of thousands of people visiting Southport Market in its first few days of opening.

“Across the region word is spreading quickly about the market and we cannot thank our incredible traders, bar team and council staff enough for all the hard work that has been put into making this a reality.

“We look forward to welcoming even more people through our doors this coming weekend!”

Southport Market’s opening hours:

Mon and Tue closed
Wed 10-10
Thursday 10-10
Friday 10-11
Sat 10-11
Sunday 10-8
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