Work on Les Transformations de Southport phase 1 is finished. Last week, Sefton Council’s Deputy Leader Paulette Lappin joined Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Transport Committee Chair Steve Foulkes in visiting the Market Quarter to celebrate the scheme’s completion.

Since January, Southport’s Market Quarter has been transformed, with big changes including the pedestrianisation of Market Street and adjoining King Street becoming one way.

The work has created a more pleasant shopping, dining and event experience, to encourage more visitors to spend longer in the area.

Wider pavements and improved crossing points on Eastbank Street also help better connect the Market Quarter to Chapel Street, Lord Street and the rest of the town centre. Future phases will improve the spaces connecting to the Promenade and waterfront.

Investing in Southport's visitor economy

Sefton Council Leader Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “The works on Market Street, King Street and Eastbank Street have transformed the area, to create an accessible, high quality and long lasting public space to be enjoyed by all.

“The scheme has been an important part of investing in Southport, using funding from the Southport Town Deal and Liverpool Combined Authority’s Sustainable Transport Funding to improve these streets and support our vision for the town.

“We have been investing in the area, improving the look and feel of the town with new wide pavements, trees and plants and new places to sit.

“The refreshed look and better visitor experience will help encourage more private investment and strengthen our visitor economy.”

Benches, trees and plants have all been carefully chosen to suit the weather of a coastal town.

Supporting businesses and looking to the future

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills said: “By encouraging people to visit more frequently and to spend more time in Southport and generally making the place feel nice to be in, high quality public spaces such as this are important to supporting local businesses.

“Pedestrianising Market Street has created a great opportunity for events and markets such as The Coastal Jam in September this year.

“It’s an example of how in the future, we can encourage families to an area and feel safe away from traffic.

“This new space creates such possibilities for the area, which is so great to see, and I look forward to people coming and really enjoying the space. “

Market Quarter transformed

Cllr Lappin continued: “The widening of pavement creates a nice open space. It can support additional footfall on busy days without feeling cramped.

“This change helps encourage people traveling into town to walk, wheel or cycle around the area, enjoying the town and supporting local businesses. And the new benches and planters mean there are places to pause and enjoy the atmosphere while out shopping.

“Plus, active travel into the town centre has associated health and well-being benefits, and Southport is well connected by public transport too. By improving facilities to supporting travel by walking, wheeling, cycling or by public transport it creates a more accessible town centre for all. “

Social value

Andrew Carson, Portfolio Director at Balfour Beatty said: “We’re really proud to have worked on Phase 1 of Les Transformations de Southport and are excited for the people of Southport to enjoy the improvements.

“Throughout the scheme, we have worked hard with the Council and our supply chain to generate social value, creating a long lasting impact after we’re finished and off the site. We’ve generated nearly £700,000 of social and local economic value, spent 89 hours volunteering in the community, engaged 470 students in workshops, career talks and curriculum support.

“We are particularly proud to have provided apprenticeships on this scheme, giving local opportunities for people to develop skills and support their long-term careers.”

Cllr Steve Foulkes, chair of the Transport Committee at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “The Combined Authority is proud to have supported this scheme from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. Improving accessibility is so important to the future to ensure everyone is included when it comes to traveling around an area.

“Seeing such clever details is excellent to see, like a rain garden that will slow down rainwater from entering the drains while also providing greenery that improves air quality and supports native planting. The scheme is a great example in the city region of a clear commitment to a greener future and helps improve our climate resilience.”

Peter Moore, Assistant Director of Highways and Public Protection said: “It is so great to see the works complete and I encourage people to visit the area to check it out if they haven’t already! As with any major scheme, there will always be some snags to fix, to make sure everything is finished to a high quality, and we will make sure this is done in the coming weeks.

Planters on Market Street

"We are also waiting on some planters with integrated benches to be delivered in January and placed on Market Street as a finishing touch, in line with the designs, along with litter bins.”