A historic Merseyside landmark is being market tested for a "major" investment opportunity.
Work has been taking place at the Grade II listed Victoria Baths building on Southport Promenade ahead of a potential third-party investment. The building, which originally opened in 1839 as a luxurious facility for the then brand-new holiday destination of Southport, is set to undergo a new lease of life.
By market testing the venue, Sefton Council are looking for initial proposals from third parties that would revitalise the historic Baths. The successful investor will be chosen for their vision of transforming Victoria Baths in "new and creative ways that will ultimately generate new communities and bolster the local economy".
READ MORE: Patients suffer injuries at care home with frozen medicine
Any investment will also encourage new local employment opportunities and look to work with local businesses. The council is working with local firm Fitton Estates to test the market for delivering a new use for the building.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The successful investor will need to share both Sefton Council's and the Southport Town Deal's ambitions to boost the town's reputation as both a leading national visitor destination and an attractive place to live and work.
"We have wider ambitions for Southport as a leading national visitor destination and with the regeneration of Southport Market and our plans for the incredible Marine Lake Events Centre, we want to make sure we are utilising every opportunity to improve the resort.
The Victoria Baths building of today presents a magnificent opportunity to a developer with the vision and drive to modernise this iconic and landmark facility. Through this market testing exercise, we look forward to seeing initial options and proposals brought forward by third parties. The operation and running of the adjoining Victoria Leisure facility is not affected by this market testing."
Investors can find out more about this opportunity from the Victoria Baths Investment Opportunity Brochure at www.victoriabathssouthport.co.uk or by calling Graham Bowling at Fitton Estates on 01704 500345 or by emailing gb@fittonestates.com.
READ NEXT:
Port of Liverpool redundancies planned as bosses say market sees 'significant decline in volume'
UFC star Paddy Pimblett issues request to fans before agreeing to take a photo
Martin Lewis explains when to use your washing machine amid energy blackout warning
Liverpool DJ will 'keep sounds moving from above' after tragic death
Face of kidnapper who was stabbed after abducting 12-year-old boy
