Southport’s Marine Lake Event Central project gets government approval

Southport’s Marine Lake Events Center project has taken a major step forward after its business case was approved by the government’s Leveling Up Department.

There has already been overwhelming support for the transformation project, which will see the construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art events center and accompanying water and light show on the site of the former Southport Theatre.

In approving the Marine Lake Events Center (MLEC) business case, the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) congratulated Sefton Council and the Southport Town Deal team on “an ambitious project for the benefit” of Southport and the region Liverpool City.

Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (CA) recently approved £17.7 million in funding for the new Marine Lake Events Centre. This was on top of the £2.3m already committed by the CA for pre-development work.

The approval of the business case officially releasing the previously announced Town Deal funding for the project was one of the next major milestones for the MLEC project, another is the pending approval of building permits.

MLEC is expected to bring over half a million new visitors to Southport each year while generating £18m a year for the local economy.

Sefton Council has already begun a range of preparatory work to ensure the project can start quickly, including identifying ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management company and live experiences producer, as the site’s preferred operating partner .

The Marine Lake Events Center is one of the projects being developed as a result of the successful bid of £37.5m in Town Deal funding for Southport. Southport’s Theater and Convention Center will be transformed into a premier entertainment and business venue.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Recovery and Skills said:

“The Marine Lake Events Center is an extremely exciting and extremely important endeavor for Southport and Sefton.

“I would like to thank all the staff involved at Sefton Council for the tremendous effort that went into achieving this important milestone for the Southport Marine Lake Events Center and my Cabinet colleagues for their support.

“This and the other Town Deal programs will be game changers for the economies of Southport and Sefton and will provide a tremendous boost to local businesses and new business opportunities.

“It is critical that subject to planning permission we can now move forward and deliver for the residents of Sefton.”

Leveling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said: “The Marine Lake Events Center is a truly ambitious and impressive local project and I am delighted that our £33.3million investment in Towns Fund has enabled the construction of a state-of-the-art events center with a will give a spectacular start to the water and light show.

“This is the largest payout for a Towns Fund project that recognizes its tremendous potential to create hundreds of new jobs and attract more than 300,000 visitors to Southport.

“I’m excited to see how this funding will revitalize and enhance Southport and support a thriving coastal community that residents can be proud of.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“This is fantastic news for Southport and our plans to revitalize the city’s visitor economy which draws thousands upon thousands of tourists to the Liverpool City area each year.

“This is the difference decentralization can make – it gives local areas the opportunity to invest and develop projects like the Martine Lake Events Centers that make a real difference to local people by providing quality, secure jobs and create training opportunities – it’s a fitting upgrade in action. Hopefully this news marks the beginning of a truly exciting new chapter in Southport’s history.”