Here’s a round-up of the key events and developments across Southport in January 2022

 

 

Stunning plans revealed for new ‘Tower Of Hope’ on Lord Street

 

Ambitious plans have been revealed for a new ‘Tower Of Hope’ on Lord Street in Southport.

The 48-storey tower would be the tallest building in the UK outside London or Manchester.

In July last year it was revealed that one of Southport’s most iconic buildings, the former Grade II Listed Grand Casino, was due to be transformed by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group.

The firm already operates successful venues on Lord Street in Southport including The Bold Hotel, the Lord Street Hotel, Lord Street Sports Bar and Punch Tarmey’s Irish Pub, while also operating the feature bar inside Southport Market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tower Of Hope, with design and imagery by Southport-based Clayton Architecture, will provide a huge boost to ‘The Northern Quarter’ of Southport in particular, attracting further visitors and investment.

The tower would stand 48 stories high and 178 metres tall.

It would house over :

• 140 high quality one, two and three bedroom residential apartments
• Top quality restaurant
• 109 five star hotel rooms
• Amazing wedding venue
• Fun-themed bar
• Substantial car park

 

Virtue to open on Lord Street

 

And bringing more investment to Lord Street is Virtue Mortgage & Protection, a new business selling mortgages, life protection, building insurance and other financial services.

The new venture is opening inside the former Tie Rack premises.

 

 

 

 

Covid restrictions eased as England returns to Plan A

 

England has returned to Plan A measures following the huge success of the vaccination programme and falling Omicron infections.

It means a relaxation of restrictions such as wearing masks indoors and an end to Covid passes, in a welcome boost to the hospitality industry.

Some organisations and businesses however are encouraging customers to continue wearing masks indoors and when travelling on public transport, including Merseyrail, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

Sefton Council Director of Public Health Margaret Jones has also issued a message saying that “masks remain the best way to prevent the spread of Covid-19”.

 

Five Southport venues shortlisted in Hidden Gem category in the 2022 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards

 

Southport’s shortlisted entries are:

• Bijou Cinema Southport, Southport
• British Lawnmower Museum, Southport
• Enelles Glass House, Southport
• Southport Pier Pavilion, Southport
• Vintage Tea Room, Churchtown

To vote for your favourite click here

Voting will close at 5pm on 11th February.

The overall winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony on Thursday 10th March 2022.

The awards has already shortlisted three Southport guest houses in the Guest House of the Year category: Sunnyside Bed and Breakfast; Braemar Southport; and The Heidi B&B.

The Atkinson in Southport has been shortlisted as Large Visitor Attraction of the Year while The Windmill pub is competing for the Pub Of The Year title.

 

Sefton Council-run hospitality company to open new venture in Southport

 

A brand new dessert outlet will be opened at Southport Market by Sefton Council’s new hospitality company, in the first venture of its kind.

Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited (SHOL) is a private company set up to create and operate hospitality outlets offering “exciting, diverse, and accessible options for its customers”.

The new dessert venture at Southport Market will be an opportunity for Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited to launch itself as a new company, and to develop how it operates.

The firm is currently recruiting new staff.

 

Southport Christmas tree and decorations packed away after successful festive season

 

Southport’s Christmas tree has now been taken down and packed away for another year, after an event-packed festive season in our town.

Southport BID once again provided the dazzling 18-metre high tree, which sparkled with mesmerising colour-changing displays thanks to 25,000 LED pixels.

The tree was provided and installed by Southport family-run firm IllumiDex UK Ltd.

During the festive season in the town, Southport BID also provided a wide range of interactive events and attractions including: a Gingerbread Trail, a Digital Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Grotto, a Frozen Grotto, a Christmas sleigh, a Gingerbread family photo opportunity and more.

 

Five new restaurants opening in Southport town centre

 

Southport town centre is starting 2022 with the arrival of FIVE new restaurants for diners.

Four of the new eateries are on Lord Street, with a fifth venue on Bold Street.

It provides a further boost for our town’s growing hospitality sector, with new businesses taking up empty units and giving people more reasons to visit our town.

The new restaurants you can try in 2022:

Sapori Italian Restaurant and Bar, Lord Street

Casa Italia, Lord Street

Mae Thai, Lord Street

 

The Feather Blade Steakhouse, Lord Street

Larkins Cafe Bar Eatery, Bold Street

 

Southport Veterans Hub opens

 

A new Southport Veterans Hub on Wesley Street has now been officially opened.

The ceremony was performed by Southport MP and Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher, as they were joined by serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans from a number of local Forces charities and organisations.

It is operated by the Southport branch of the Royal British Legion and aims to be a safe space where Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families can go and meet up, enjoy a coffee with friends, and seek advice or support.

The Royal British Legion will be on hand to help veterans with issues including welfare support, while also being able to signpost the best places for issues such as mental health.

Southport Veterans Hub is the first centre in the country to use the smart new Royal British Legion logo, as the organisation celebrates its 100th anniversary.

 

New Southport Lifeboat Station opens

 

The brand new Southport Lifeboat Station is now open.

The new station replaces the old lifeboat house next to Southport Pleasureland that was built in 1886 and used by the Southport Offshore Rescue trust since 1988. The crew are all unpaid volunteers who are on call 24/7 and have helped to save the lives of hundreds of people since forming.

The building is the biggest lifeboat base in the North West and has cost £1.4million to build – a huge effort for this life-saving Southport organisation which relies entirely on donations from generous members of the public.

It costs £60,000 to keep Southport Lifeboat functioning all year round. For more details about the emergency service, or if you would like to donate, please visit their website:

http://www.southport-lifeboat.co.uk/

 

Applications open for Hospitality, Leisure and Accommodation grant funding

 

A list of businesses in Sefton has been released which can bid for a share of £336,185 in grant funding to help those whose takings have been hit by the Covid-19 Omicron wave and the restrictions imposed.

Small or Micro businesses in Southport and elsewhere in the borough in the Hospitality, Leisure and Accommodation sectors can apply for the latest round of the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grant payments (ARG3).

ARG3 is designed to support businesses severely impacted by the rise of the Omicron variant which are not eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG).

Sefton Council has been allocated £336,185, which will be allocated on a first come first served basis to eligible businesses most in need.

Information on how to apply and the link to make an application is at www.sefton.gov.uk/business/business-rates/covid-19-business-support-for-202021-202122

Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 7th February.

 

Southport’s gotten hold of Marc Almond’s heart

 

And finally… Iconic pop singer Marc Almond was delighted to be back home over Christmas – and it’s clear that Southport’s gotten hold of his heart.

The star, who has sold over 20million singles worldwide with hits including ‘Tainted Love’ and ‘Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart’, encouraged people to support Southport Little Theatre to enjoy the pantomime which Southport Dramatic Club was staging there.

He posted a photo of himself at the Southport Christmas tree on Lord Street, and expressed his admiration for the Westminster Tea Rooms on Lord Street.