Southport Theatre demolition set to be approved by committee

The demolition of the decaying Southport Theatre is set to be signed off next week.

A report to the Sefton Council planning committee will recommend councillors approve the demolition of the once iconic theatre and convention centre.

It will make way for a multi million pound development called the Marine Lake Events Centre.

The move has been supported by Southport Civic Society and the Theatres Trust.

The existing Southport Theatre and Convention Centre (STCC) is an amalgamation of buildings and extensions dating back to the 1930s including the Floral Hall.

Its incremental development over the years has resulted in an inefficient layout with different levels within the building that can be difficult for operational purposes. Due to the age of parts of the building some areas need significant repair.

The existing STCC closed at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Sefton Council as landlord, took back possession of the vacant building and appointed consultants to undertake a feasibility study of long-term investment and options for the building, informed by an appraisal of the physical, operational and financial performance of the existing facility, and assessed three scenario options, ‘Do Nothing’, ‘Do Minimum’ and ‘Do Something’.

The study concluded that the ‘Do Nothing’ and ‘Do Minimum’ options were not viable or practical, and identified that the comprehensive redevelopment of the site presented an opportunity to address the challenges and limitations of the existing facility and re-establish Southport as a leading entertainment and business events destination.