Councillor leads campaign to keep alive Southport’s indoor market

A leading campaigner is spearheading a campaign to keep alive Southport’s indoor market and preserve its unique heritage.

Cllr David Barton is collecting a 500-name petition in order to secure a debate on the market’s future at a full meeting of Sefton Council.

He is calling for positive and constructive initiatives to make trading conditions as favourable as possible for new and existing stallholders.

Following consultation with traders, staff and customers he has drawn up a series of recommended improvements which could stimulate growth and regeneration at what is one of the town’s most important retail centres.

The requests range from improved signage to overall incentives for stallholders.

The campaign is being supported by the MakeItWorkShop community interest company 8-16 Cambridge Walks, which is helping to collect signatures on the petition.

Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward on Sefton Council, said: “With the abolition of the Southport Area Committee, a new threshold of 500 signatures is required to make full representation at a full meeting of Sefton Council.

“Therefore I am urging people to get in touch with myself or MakeItWorkShop in order to support our ongoing and long-standing efforts to improve this community asset.

“I am urging anyone who values the market to support our positive community-led campaign in order to help lead the economic revival here, which will not only support local residents and traders but will benefit the local council, which presently owns the market, thus providing further revenue for various council services borough-wide.”

“Whilst various additional suggestions and proposals have been drawn up, ultimately as a local neighbourhood community we are seeking to address a core set of fundamental objectives before we undertake anything more ambitious.”

Southport’s first indoor market was originally built in the mid-1800s by local architect Thomas Withnell and was situated on Chapel Street before being relocated to Market Street and King Street crossroads at a later date.

Cllr Barton said: “It is essential that the council recognises the need to take proactive action to rectify the dwindling fortunes of the market now, before it is too late.”

Cllr Barton is also calling for more leniency for incumbent and prospective vendors to use empty stalls to boost trade and entice shoppers, entertainment throughout the year, marketing stalls and business opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages, relocation of coaches closer to Southport Market and further support for new businesses.

Cllr Barton said: “The market is typical of the town centre as a whole, being a prized long-standing capital asset rich in Victorian heritage yet not being quite utilised to its fullest potential.

“I would recommend the local authority seeks to adopt as many of the proposals being requested by the local market community as soon as possible and by engaging in the direct dialogue process this can and may even help other retail outlets across Southport.

“It is paramount that as with any business or retail centre, the right level of continuous care and detail is placed into maintaining the profile and visibility if it is to flourish.”

Cllr Barton holds his monthly surgeries on the third Saturday of the month at the Atkinson Arts Centre, with the next being on Saturday March 17, at 2pm.