Plans for a £10 million transformation of Southport Town Hall Gardens have received overwhelming public support, with residents backing proposals to create a safer, greener and more welcoming space in the heart of the town.

More than 300 people have taken part in two stages of public consultation since the regeneration plans were first announced in 2025, with the majority of respondents in the latest stage expressing full support for the project.

The proposals, designed by award-winning architects Planit, aim to revitalise the historic gardens while improving accessibility, enhancing safety and creating new spaces for community events and activities.

Hundreds of schoolchildren have also been invited to share their ideas, alongside contributions from local businesses, heritage organisations, Merseyside Police and community representatives.

The feedback is now being incorporated into the final planning application.

A lasting tribute to Southport’s community spirit

The £10 million regeneration was announced following the tragic events of July 2024, when the gardens became an important focal point for the Southport community.

Funded by Central Government, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Sefton Council, the project has the backing of the families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe.

The families see the transformation as a way of thanking the town for the support shown to those affected by the tragedy.

In a joint statement, the families said:

“We are really pleased to see how far and wide the engagement has been in the consultation process on what we’ve always hoped would be a wonderfully transformative project for Southport.

“We attended a schools consultation and engagement event at the Atkinson with hundreds of local schoolchildren and we were blown away by their positivity and their fascinating views on the future of town centre spaces.

“A young student at the event said they wanted this to be the kindest place in the world – which showed for us straight away that they just ‘got’ what this is all about.

“We know there is much to do still before planning approval and before the works start on site, but we remain fully committed to delivering this project as a way of saying thank you to Southport and the community for the support they have shown all of us.”

What will the new Southport Town Hall Gardens include?

The proposed regeneration would introduce a range of new features designed to make the gardens more attractive, accessible and suitable for year-round community use.

Among the most popular proposals are enhanced planting and landscaping, additional seating, a community potting shed and a dedicated Performance Plaza for events, performances and cultural activities.

A new Botanical Gardens area outside the Town Hall entrance received support from more than 70% of consultation respondents.

Plans also include the restoration of the Grade II listed pavilion, including repairs to its roof and historic features, while retaining the Grade II listed telephone kiosks, mature trees and benches.

Safety improvements would include enhanced lighting, natural surveillance, planting buffers and permanent vehicle protection measures developed in consultation with specialists and Merseyside Police.

The designs would also deliver significant environmental improvements, with the project proposing 28 additional trees and extensive planting suited to Southport’s coastal conditions.

The design team is exploring a new low-level wall at the front of the proposed Celebration Gardens following feedback about maintaining the character of Lord Street.

More than 70% say they would visit more often

The latest consultation found that more than 70% of respondents would use the gardens more frequently if the regeneration goes ahead.

Support was recorded across all age groups, with particularly strong backing from children, young people and adults aged up to 30.

More than half of those who responded already visit the gardens several times a week.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, welcomed the findings.

She said:

“That goes to show that people who actually know and value the space took the time to have their say and were very supportive.

“It’s lovely to see people were very supportive of the Botanical Gardens, Performance Plaza and Potting Shed, highlighting our shared enthusiasm for a greener, more vibrant and community-focused feel to the Gardens.

“Throughout this proposal the big question has been ‘what about our future generations?’ and I am pleased to see that results of this consultation show optimism about the role the Gardens can play in Southport’s future.”

Cllr Atkinson acknowledged that not everyone supported every element of the proposals but said the consultation had identified significant common ground.

“Of course this is not the only time the Town Hall Gardens have been regenerated, with the space looking considerably different to how it did even thirty years ago.

“The new design intends to be complementary to the heritage assets nearby and to revitalise the space in an appropriate way.”

Award-winning architects leading the transformation

The regeneration is being led by Planit and architect Pete Swift, whose team were recently named winners of the 2026 Stirling Prize.

Pete described the Southport project as the most important of the team’s careers.

He said:

“This is the most important project of our collective careers. It is an honour to be working closely with the families and communities of Southport, Sefton Council and the wider project sponsors to bring their ideas to life.

“Our world is changing and our towns and cities must do the same. Greener, softer, more resilient public spaces are redefining the places we live and embracing nature with a more deliberate and careful attitude is resulting in a quiet revolution.”

He explained that the plans would nearly triple the amount of green space while protecting existing trees along Lord Street and introducing more planting within the gardens.

The architects are also developing a strategy to reuse materials removed during the regeneration, including paving slabs, benches, columns and balustrades.

Rather than being discarded, these materials could be carefully dismantled and incorporated into future projects across Southport.

What happens next?

The consultation findings will help shape the final planning application, including measures to protect listed heritage assets and preserve the character of the surrounding town centre.

A long-term management and maintenance plan will also be secured through the planning process to ensure the gardens remain safe, attractive and well-maintained for future generations.

No construction start date has yet been confirmed, with the timetable dependent on further feedback, planning approval, technical development and procurement.

The ambition remains to create a welcoming public space that honours Southport’s past while providing a greener, safer and more inclusive destination for generations to come.