£37.5m government funding for exciting Southport regeneration

Southport is set to receive £37.5m in government funding for a range of exciting projects across the town centre and sea front, following submission of a Town Investment Plan in October 2020.

The £37.5m awarded to Southport is one of the largest Town Deals that the government has agreed nationally and across 101 towns.

This success is a clear sign of confidence in the town, the quality of the projects put forward as part of the Town Investment Plan, the involvement of local people and businesses and the work of the Town Deal Board over the last year.

The funding will help to invest in existing attractions and the creation of new all- weather attractions in the sea front area, as well as the creation of new enterprise hubs to help attract and grow businesses in the town centre. The Town Deal will ultimately help create over 1,000 new jobs plus more than 300 construction jobs and an extra 1 million visitors per year are expected to visit.

Following a hugely successful consultation and engagement process, the largest conversation ever had with those who live or work in the town, a Town Investment Plan was submitted reflecting many of the priorities that residents, business owners and visitors consider vital for the regeneration of the town.
This funding will allow Southport to positively tackle the economic challenges faced as we emerge from the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rob Fletcher, Chair of the Town Deal Board said:

“The hard work of Town Deal Board has been rewarded in this funding announcement. The Board has ensured that the views of the many have been included in the submission.
“We are pleased with the announcement and are now looking forward to continuing to work with Sefton Council, who will be responsible for delivering a remarkable range of projects which will support our communities, business and young people and make Southport the place to be.”

Following the announcement, Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said:

“After an incredibly hard year for the town’s businesses and residents, the announcement of this funding is a really positive way to start 2021. The Council, working with Town Deal Board and its partners, are ready to get started on many of the key projects as soon as we can.

“We will continue to seek further public and private investment to the Town to ensure the Town Deal is the catalyst to unlock many new opportunities.

“I would like to thank the Chair and all Town Deal board members for their hard work and support, and I would also like to recognise Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, for her contribution and close collaboration with all board members.”

Sefton Council and the Town Deal board are now turning their attention to making sure that projects are ready for delivery and able to access the funding allocated as quickly as possible. Further updates will be provided on the exciting projects supported by the Towns Fund during 2021.