Residents fight to save Southport Theatre.

Local residents have started a campaign to save Southport Theatre.

Former STCC employee Lisa Lea Kelly formed the SAVE SOUTHPORT THEATRE (STCC) Facebook group on Sunday morning.

The leaseholder and operating company for the STCC, Bliss Space (Southport) Ltd, went into liquidation on 19th May.

A statement from Sefton Council on 5th June says: “As owners of the STCC building Sefton Council is working with the appointed insolvency practice David Rubin and Partners to transfer the venue back to the Council and assess viable options for the future of this important local asset.

“The STCC is an integral part of Southport’s conference, events and theatre offer and as such your custom at the theatre is a vital part of the local economy.”

The campaign’s organiser Lisa Lea Kelly said: “As yet there have been no decisions made public on the future of the building but we want to show the council and any prospective management company’s that we the ex employees,businesses and the people of Southport want to keep STCC and make it great again. It’s a huge asset to Southport and it’s economy and to lose it would be a huge disadvantage to the area.”

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said on 5th June: “Southport has a vibrant economy and of course we understand and appreciate the impact that Covid-19 / Coronavirus has had on many of the town’s businesses, including Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.

For now, the venue remains closed, however we at Sefton Council, despite the current constraints, are continually reviewing plans for the reopening, and for the long-term future of this important venue and project, including the welfare of staff at the centre’’

This is a complex and dynamic situation that is likely to take weeks or even months to completely resolve but in the meantime we hope that when the theatre once again opens to the public that you will return to enjoy the varied and exciting calendar of shows and events.”

OTS have approached Sefton Council for an update.