The future of a UK seaside town looks “bleak” as its iconic pier next to a “muddy” beach remains shut down after closing in 2022 for safety reasons.
Locals have said that Southport in Lancashire has got “scruffier”, shops are empty and it feels like its in decline. But the council says it is working to improve the area.
A woman called Brenda told LancsLive: “It used to be so pretty and bustling and the buildings were lovely. It was a great place to visit especially for the kids.”
She added: “It needs something, but I couldn’t tell you what, but it obviously needs something.
“We’ll have to wait and see what they come up with and I just hope I live long enough to see an improvement.”
David Winn is the owner of Met Quarter Tattoo. He has lived in the town for most of his life after moving as a young child, and says he is sceptical about regeneration projects such as “Transformation de Southport”, which is aimed at improving places like Market Street.
Mr Winn said: “When I was a lot younger, Southport was a vibrant, thriving town, but anything that they’ve done to sort of modernise it has ruined most of it. These projects are always projected as ‘it’s going to be the greatest thing’.
“There’s plenty of empty units in amazing buildings just lying empty and also in a bad condition. We should be lowering rates and rent and supporting new businesses and spending some money on refurbishing these existing spaces.”
Tracy Jones’ husband is from Southport, so she visited the town for much of her adult life before finally settling there two years ago.
She said: “We’re all a little bit apprehensive about it. We just don’t know what the impact is going to be and whether it will stop people visiting the area.
“We also know there has to be a small amount of inconvenience in order for progress to happen. There is lots of potential here, but we need a bit of belief and investment.”
A man called Norman was more upbeat. He told a local journalist: “Southport is full of opportunity and promise.”
Norman added: “We all share the same goal: the best possible future for Southport. By working together, focusing on positivity, and embracing a vision of vibrancy and opportunity, we will ensure Southport remains a thriving, welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.”
The local council has insisted that its commitment to revamping and reopening Southport Pier remains firm, and they continue to assess conditions at the leisure beach.
Officials’ work on the pier is part of a wider strategy to regenerate the town. Earlier this month, work began on the redevelopment of the Market Quarter, funding was secured for the future refurbishment of the Leo’s Bar building and the council confirmed their new ‘Enterprise Arcade’ will be opened this spring.
The £73million Marine Lake Events Centre project is also well underway, and is a landmark development expected to attract 288,000 visitors a year.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Sefton Council has and will continue to invest resources and funds into the Southport Pier project and there is an incredible depth of planning that is being done to put the Pier in the best possible position so that refurbishment can begin swiftly once vital and necessary funding is secured.”