Events Centre with water and light show will have ‘substantial impact’ on Southport

Town Deal funding from the Conservative Government will have a “substantial impact” on Southport’s businesses and local residents, says MP Damien Moore.

It includes £30million provided for a new Marine Lake Events Centre, and £3.3million for a spectacular water and light show in the Marine Lake.

It follows on from £1million Town Deal funding granted by the Government last year which has supported the creation of a ‘boulevard of lights’ along Lord Street and support towards the transformation of Southport Market into an exciting new food, drink and events hub.

Damien Moore MP worked hard to secure the opportunity for Southport to become one of just 100 towns in England to be able to bid for cash from the £3.6billion Towns Fund last year.

He was then part of the Southport Town Deal Board which successfully secured £37.5million funding which was awarded by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the March 2021 Budget, following on from £1million in Town Deal support awarded last year.

Mr Moore said: “As we look to bounce back from this pandemic, we need to do all we can to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Southport.

“This Government has shown huge backing for our town by providing £38.5million in Town Deal funding. It is the single largest public investment in Southport’s history.

“The investment will have a substantial impact on our town’s future – now it’s important that we get on and deliver the projects that will create hundreds of new jobs, attract millions of new visitors and ensure we continue to deliver the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.

“I am delighted to see evidence of Town Deal funding already making a difference to Southport through the stunning lights along the length of Lord Street and in the transformation of Southport Market, which is due to open in the coming weeks. There is much more to come.”

The Towns Fund aims to drive long term economic and productivity growth through investment in connectivity, land use, economic assets including cultural assets, skills and enterprise infrastructure.

In Southport, Projects include a stunning and modern Marine Lake Events Centre on the site of the current Southport Theatre & Convention Centre, which would create nearly 300 new jobs. The new centre would: attract more than 500,000 visitors into Southport every year; generate over £18million a year for the Southport economy; and create 60,000 additional overnight stays for local hotels, guest houses and B&Bs.

A comprehensive delivery strategy is now being produced to help guide the delivery of the Marine Lake Events Centre events and light show project.

This will include operator procurement, a full business case, detailed designs and eventual planning application submission.