Heritage Lottery bid to be submitted for Southport Town Centre

Sefton Council and Southport BID are working together to resubmit an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a Townscape Heritage project for Southport town centre.

The application initially looks for £1.7m from the HLF which could eventually provide a combined funding pot of up to £3m to help revamp parts of the town centre.

If successful, it would enable the development and delivery of a Townscape Heritage project specifically to include:

• Structural and external repair of historic buildings
• Reinstatement of authentic architectural features (traditional shop fronts, windows)
• Works to bring vacant floor space in historic buildings back into use
• Training and skills development in historic repair and construction techniques

The project will focus on the areas between Lord Street and the Promenade linking up the town centre with the seafront in order to build on the recent Heritage Lottery Funded restoration of King’s Gardens and the Coastal Communities Fund of £2m for Southport Pier.

If successful, the money would enhance these links so that the two areas become more integrated while increasing economic activity with the aim of reducing the number of vacant, underused and poorly maintained properties.

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

“We are competing against other local authorities for this funding, and we know from previous years it is massively oversubscribed. Therefore it is vitally important we make our application strong and unique, and community support is vital to this.

“At the moment we really want Southport residents and businesses to get involved and give us their views on the project.

“This will help the project team in preparing a first-round application and it would be greatly appreciated if the support of the public and the local business community can be sufficiently demonstrated. If successful the money will really help transform Southport.”

Hugh Evans, from Southport BID, added:

“BIDs are often successful at attracting funding in addition to the BID levy. As that’s one of our main objectives we’re committed to supporting this application to the Townscape Heritage Fund because, if successful, it could match-fund the levy payments pound for pound.

“That additional money will be used to improve the look and feel of an important part of Southport’s heritage making it more attractive for residents, visitors, workers, and investors.”

If you want to find out more and would like to participate please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/townscape. Response forms should be received no later than November 6, 2017.

To be kept up to date with the project contact us with your details either by email SouthportTHI@sefton.gov.uk or contact Southport BID on 01704 538382.