New images have revealed how Southport’s Town Hall Gardens could be transformed into a vibrant botanical garden, performance space and new community destination as part of a £10 million regeneration project.

The artistic impressions have been unveiled as Sefton Council launches the second stage of its consultation on plans to regenerate the gardens on Lord Street.

The proposals aim to create a welcoming, accessible and safe space for families, children, residents and visitors, with areas for performances, community events, play, relaxation and nature.

The £10 million regeneration project was announced after the Town Hall Gardens became an important focal point for the Southport community following the tragic events of July 2024.

Funded by Central Government, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Sefton Council, the project reflects the shared hope of the families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe as a way of saying thank you to the town for the support shown to those directly affected during an unimaginably difficult time.

The latest designs have been shaped by feedback received during the first stage of consultation in late 2025 and draw inspiration from Southport’s history, coastal landscape and horticultural heritage.

Four connected areas are included in the plans:

• The Performance Plaza
• The Mega Ripples
• Celebration Dunes
• The Botanical Garden

Together, the areas would provide flexible spaces for performances and community events, opportunities for play and relaxation, new planting, improved biodiversity and more accessible routes through the gardens.

Each element has been designed to reflect characteristics associated with Southport and the wider Sefton coastline.

Sefton Council is now asking residents, businesses and visitors to give their views on the proposals before a planning application is prepared.

Feedback gathered during the consultation will be analysed and used to help shape the final designs, with the design team considering whether any changes should be made before the plans progress.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: 

“These updated images bring to life our shared ambitions of creating a beautiful, welcoming and community focussed space in the heart of Southport.

“Southport’s Town Hall Gardens has worn many different looks over the decades but has always been a vital space for Sandgrounders to gather. With this latest regeneration we want to ensure that local people feel it belongs to them, for them.

“It should be a safe and inclusive place where families can spend time together, children can play and our communities can come together for performances, events and celebrations.

“This is a heartfelt thank you to the people of Southport for their solidarity over the last two years. We want the new look Gardens to not only capture the history, character and spirit of the town, but also create something special for future generations.

“The presence of water features was one of the biggest recurring themes from the stage one consultation, which is why we’re proposing the ‘Mega Ripples’ – linked to the town’s historic Sea Bathing Lake and importance as a hydrotherapy resort in decades gone by.

“Southport’s rich theatre and cinema legacy will be reflected in the Performance Space, while the Celebration Dunes are a not-so-subtle nod to the stunning ecologically rich dunescapes of Birkdale and Ainsdale.

“People also wanted to protect and enhance the gardens’ greenspace which is why we’re ensuring there are more trees and planting opportunities than ever before with the new Botanical Garden.

“Clearly the first stage of consultation helped us understand what people value and want to see from the gardens. We are now asking everyone to look at the emerging designs and tell us what they think before the proposals move towards the planning stage.”

Secretary of State for Communities, Angela Rayner, said: 

“The people of Southport have shown the very best of community: immeasurable strength, compassion and togetherness through an unimaginably difficult time.

“These gardens have been at the heart of the community’s efforts to rebuild and reconnect, while honouring and remembering Alice, Bebe and Elsie, and all survivors, with love and solidarity across the town.

“These plans will help protect that spirit for generations to come, ensuring the gardens remain a special place for children and families in the local community to enjoy.”

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: 

“Southport has shown incredible strength and solidarity over the last two years, and the Town Hall Gardens have become a place where that spirit is felt every day.

“These plans give us the opportunity to create something that reflects the character of Southport and gives people a beautiful, welcoming place to come together for generations to come.

“I’m really pleased that, along with our partners, we in the Combined Authority have been able to play our part in making this vision a reality, and I’d encourage everyone in Southport to have their say on the proposals.”

Any future construction timetable will remain subject to consultation feedback, planning approval, technical development and procurement.

The consultation is open until Monday 5 October.

People can view the designs and complete the consultation through the Your Sefton Your Say website.

Views can also be submitted by calling 0800 080 3263 or in writing to FreePost DEVCOMMS.

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