ECHO readers have had their say on an historic Merseyside arcade that has been described as like a scene from "Final Destination".
Cambridge Arcade in Southport has been compared to a scene out of Final Destination after it found itself in a dilapidated state.
The arcade has fallen into a state of disrepair, with shop and bar owners becoming fed up with the lack of action despite the flood of money that's hit the town.
READ MORE: Historic Merseyside arcade now like a 'Final Destination' scene
With the refurbishment of Southport Market being the first investment, and most recently the Crown Buildings being transformed in the Enterprise Arcade which would see a space for new business to try their hand at the high street.
The owner of the Tap and Bottle, Julian, on the corner of Cambridge Arcade and Cambridge Walk told the ECHO : "They've shot themselves in the foot because if they'd have maintained it then it would be in a less of a worse position.
"I think that now it might have come to a point where it's possibly too bad. To be honest, this is the god honest truth and I'm not a nervous person, but sometimes I'm walking down [the arcade], I look up and it's like a scene out of Final Destination where you think you might get stabbed by a pane of glass.
"I've seen bits fall down like a soft bit of ply wood that got wet and fell down. Luckily it didn't hit anyone. We've seen lampshades fall down, again it was lucky not to hit anyone.
"They're only plastic but they could do damage. I couldn't tell you the amount of times I've seen people, mainly older woman, trip over.
"Two of them have bust open their lips.
"What's worrying for me is there might come a point where they shut the arcade. I'm not a tenant to the council, I'm a tenant to the company that own Cambridge Walks. Even if they had to scaffold it all, people aren't going to come down
In response to the criticism the council have faced, Sefton Council said it is unable to restore the side of the former BHS building due to the private ownership of the building.
Sefton Council claim to have contacted the owners on "multiple occasions" with them monitoring the situation.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "Cambridge Arcade is a key site linking adjoining sections of Southport Town Centre and we continue to do all we can to support its traders and tenants.
"In recent years Sefton Council has installed new netting to deter pigeons, while our contractors have endeavoured to ensure the arcade is routinely cleaned. We have also commissioned a full survey of the arcade’s roof, to establish the extent of any repair and maintenance works needed. This will allow us to prioritise and seek approval for the works required."
Readers have now had their say on the state of the well known town centre arcade.
Alison Evans was quick to criticise Sefton Council and Southport BID over their part in the arcade's demise.
She wrote: "Southport BID have failed many parts of the town centre. Sefton Council have also allowed the neglect. Used to be a lovely area."
Jean Edwards commented: "Once up on a time Southport was the place to be lovely shops now all you see is charity shops used to love it it's like everywhere else now."
Yvonne Edwards remembered fonder times of the arcade. She said: "How sad, I bought my beautiful wedding dress from this arcade in 1997."
James O'Carroll wrote: "Someone is going to get hurt!!!"
Local gift shop Area51 Southport wrote on Facebook: "I am glad this is being highlighted as an issue. It needs to be sorted, and sooner the better."
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