The first phase of consultation and community engagement on the future of Southport’s Town Hall Gardens has officially launched today (Tuesday, August 26).

Earlier this summer, a £10 million regeneration programme was announced for the Lord Street site, which has become a central gathering place for the community following the tragic events of July 2024.

The gardens have since hosted a number of significant moments, including a community vigil, a visit from HRH King Charles III, and a three-minute silence held in memory of those affected.

The project, jointly funded by Central Government, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Sefton Council, reflects the shared wish of the families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe. It is intended as their way of thanking the town for its unwavering support during the most difficult of times.

Concept designs have already been unveiled, supported by a dedicated website providing further details on the project’s aims and vision.

Plans include transforming the gardens into a welcoming, family-friendly, multi-use performance space capable of hosting a wide range of events – from concerts and dance shows to arts festivals and community celebrations.

Sefton Council, as landowner, has now launched the first stage of consultation to ensure residents and local communities can help shape the future design and character of the Town Hall Gardens.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: 

“Since this announcement we have seen an overwhelming buzz of excitement for this regeneration project.
 
“This is not the first time the Gardens will undergo a renaissance and many of us will remember its concrete heavy appearance of the 1980s, while avid local historians will look back further to its elegance of the late 1800s and early 1900s when it was also an open air multi-use performance space.
 
“The consultation will happen across two phases and we are keen through this initial phase to capture your views on what you have seen, heard and read so far. The second stage will then consult on a robust plan and proposal that has considered the engagement we receive over the next month.
 
“We especially want to hear peoples views on the potential of future water features, parking, floral planters, trees and the 1990s pavilion buildings which are currently in-situ.
 
“I would also encourage everyone to read through the Frequently Asked Questions on our dedicated webpage which goes into considerable detail about the project as well as the history of the gardens and its current ageing infrastructure.”

Residents who want to have their say can formally submit their feedback in three ways:
 
•    By email via southportrecoveryteam@sefton.gov.uk
•    In writing to Southport Recovery Team, Southport Town Hall, Lord Street, PR8 1DA
•    Completing a form in person at Southport Town Hall.

The Stage One Engagement process runs for a month from August 26th, 2025 to September 23rd, 2025.

Any feedback from this initial stage will be reported to the Project Board, and thereafter fed into the design & development process.

Stage two of the consultation process will take place in due course as detailed design progresses.

For more information and details on the project so far please visit the website.

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