New images show how Southport's multi-million pound waterfront could look

New images reveal how Southport £37.5m waterfront could look once the area is transformed.

As part of the £37.5m Southport Town Deal, there are plans to transform Marine Lake waterfront, with the demolition of the building that held the former Genting Casino.

Robert Agsteribbe, a partner at BIP, said: "With [Genr8] we’ve been looking at the site in detail and have come up with an outstanding scheme which demolishes the corner building where Genting was and replace it with a mixed use ‘European Plaza’ which connects to, and complements, the new ‘Lakeside Events Centre’ conceived by Sefton's team; all of which, through clever public realm design, connects the site and the town to the lake and the views over the coastline.

"An aspect that the town has been denied for way too long.”

Part of the Town Deal has been spent already, with money going towards Southport Market to create a new food, drink and events hub, set to open in the next few weeks, as well as lighting up Lord Street.

BIP first purchased the former Ramada Plaza hotel in December 2016, before acquiring the 250-year-lease of the waterfront buildings, including the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.

An artist's impression of how the Waterfront area of Southport could look like (BIP)

The waterfront has seen the closure of Southport Theatre and Convention Centre at the beginning of the pandemic, and then Genting Casino announcing its closure in February this year.

Robert said: “When we first invested in Southport five years ago it felt as though there was a real ‘race to the bottom’ taking place, and we thought that it doesn’t have to be this way.

“Southport needs to have a relevant offer for the contemporary market place. You need to give them something which provides them with a positive experience in Southport. It is no longer a race down. It is a progression up, with huge pride in this town and what it has to offer.

“When Sefton finishes the new events and performance buildings, and if we can realise the other schemes within the Southport Town Deal, then the potential trajectory for Southport is massive. It is all do-able and it is hugely exciting.”