Lady Marina Dalglish MBE set to become Chair of Southport Gardens project

The appointment will see Lady Dalglish MBE sit alongside the families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe and funders as the ambitious legacy project progresses in the heart of Southport Town Centre.

This follows the conclusion of the first phase of a dedicated engagement and consultation exercise to seek the views of residents, businesses and visitors on the future look and offer provided by the revamped Gardens.

The historic space will undergo its most significant regeneration ever, creating a family-friendly, child-orientated, and safe open-air performance and gathering space as a lasting ‘thank you’ to the people of the town.

Alice, Bebe and Elsie, whose shared love of dance, music and the arts have inspired the vision, which will lead to the creation of an inclusive community focussed events space.

Feedback from the first stage of the consultation showed support for the regeneration project, with consultee views focussed on the recurring themes of water features, preservation of heritage and vehicle access.

Responses from this engagement stage will now be incorporated alongside feedback from families and schools to help shape a formal design and project plan.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said:

“We are delighted that Lady Dalglish MBE will sit as independent Chair for the Town Hall Gardens project.

“Her expertise and determination to craft and lead on projects specifically designed to ‘give back’ to communities is nothing short of extraordinary.

“Not only is Lady Daglish MBE an honorary Sandgrounder, she is an unwaveringly compassionate, kind and determined figurehead who will bring so much to the project board.”

Lady Marina Dalglish MBE said:

“Southport has been our family home for many years and we were deeply touched by the strength and hope shown by everyone involved in their desire to give something back to the town.

“The Town Hall Gardens regeneration will be a wonderful way to create a lasting legacy to the great people of Southport, while honouring the fantastic spirits of Alice, Bebe and Elsie.

“To be the Independent Chair on the project board is a real privilege and I will do my utmost to support the families and to help deliver something that they and the entire town can be hugely proud for generations to come.”

Lady Dalglish’s appointment, along with approvals related to procurement matters, is set to be formalised by Sefton Council’s Cabinet on Thursday, November 6th.