revamp

The coastal town has been ranked by Which? Magazine as one of the worst seaside towns in the UK for two consecutive years

Sunny days seem to be ahead for a UK seaside town that has long suffered bad reviews and cruel digs.

Southport in Merseyside was, like many other coastal spots, a prime seaside resort during Victorian times. Southport Beach marks the northernmost point of Sefton’s stunning 22-mile stretch of coast and features one of the nation’s most distinctive natural habitats. It serves as a sanctuary for thousands of migratory wading birds travelling from their northern breeding territories and has gained recognition for staging the Southport Air Show.

However, as with many other parts of the coast, it has fallen on hard times in recent years. Its demise is evident in the state of the Scarisbrick Hotel, a once-grand feature of the town that is now a shadow of its former glory.

Former teacher, Sean Byrne, 62, said: “This place used to be a gold mine. It was a fantastic place to come for weddings, for meals out. It was the jewel in the crown of this town.” A lifelong resident, Mr Byrne told the Liverpool Echo: “There has been a big deterioration in the upkeep of the town. Look at the parks and the cemeteries – absolutely awful.”

For two years in a row Southport was ranked as one of the worst seaside towns in the UK by Which? Magazine.

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Southport’s pier was one of the town’s major attractions along with shops on Lord Street, but both appear to be fading. The Grade II-listed pier is the second longest in the country, but it has been closed since December 2022 due to serious health and safety issues.

However, the pier, and many other parts of the town, are in line for a serious makeover that locals hope will radically change the feel of the place.

Major restoration works on Southport Pier are due to begin in early 2026, with the transformation of the second-longest pier in the UK – which comprises 68 bays and is 1,108 metres in length – expected to take 14 months.

In September last year, the Government allocated up to £20 million from the Growth Mission fund for Southport Pier repairs to be carried out, subject to a full business case. When back up and running, Southport Pier is estimated to generate £15 million a year for the Southport economy.

Southport Town Hall Gardens: £10 m transformation into a family-friendly flexible events and community space.

Liverpool City Region Development Partnership lists some of the biggest redevelopment projects that locals and visitors will see taking shape this year. Some have been inspired by the £37.5 million Southport Town Deal regeneration support from the Government.

• Bebe’s Hive: New creative and safe space for children to explore grief in Cambridge Arcade.
• Marine Lake Events Centre & Light Fantastic: £73 m cutting-edge attraction progressing with enabling works underway.
• Cove Resort: Plans move forward for a £75 m leisure resort with outdoor lagoon, spa, and hotel on the Esplanade site.
• Ainsdale Coastal Gateway: Nature-led regeneration vision to boost the coastal destination and protect dunes.
• The Garrick: Redevelopment of the Art Deco building into the UK’s first theatre-spa-hotel.
• Sefton Padel: New padel and refurbished tennis courts with park amenities opening at Victoria Park.
• Footy Nation: UK’s first football skills park under construction at Ocean Plaza Leisure Park.
• Southport Visitor building: Former newspaper office being turned into 26 flats with new ground-floor retail.
• Leo’s Bar building: Art Deco landmark being refitted with pub, retail units, and new residential dwellings.

Southporters can also look forward to a year of cultural events which, according to Sefton Council, continue the town’s entertainment pedigree. “For over two centuries, it’s been a place of performance, spectacle and eccentric entertainment with visitors from Napoleon III to Judy Garland revelling in Venetian Gondolas taking over the water, Elephants parading on Lord Street, Camel Races on the beach and famous street entertainers diving from the pier,” the council’s website reads.

Giant Chandeliers, world class circus performers and never ending rainbows will all be on show in Southport next year as part of a hugely ambitious programme of new cultural events.

As one of the UK’s most historic seaside destinations, Southport has long drawn generations of visitors with its elegant boulevards, Victorian architecture and flamboyant history.

2026’s calendar of events

Lightport – February

A breathtaking immersive light and sound installation from leading international artists Lucid Creates that will turn the town into a walk-through rainbow of colour and creativity.

Cristal Palace – April

World-renowned French street theatre company Transe Express brings its spectacular show Cristal Palace to Lord Street with a 15-metre-wide flying chandelier, transforming the street into an open-air ballroom with live music, aerial performance, and dance, a dazzling fusion of art and theatre set to be one of the year’s defining moments.

Big Top Festival – May

Big Top Festival will take over the town with the best of modern circus, including shows from world-renowned companies, including Circa and Gandini Juggling, coming to one of the art form’s spiritual homes. Across open-air stages, audiences can expect breathtaking acts, live music and hands-on workshops for all ages.

Southport Originals – summer

Throughout the summer, Southport’s much-loved calendar favourites return in style, the Southport Flower Show, Food and Drink Festival, Southport Air Show and British Musical Fireworks Championships, celebrating the town’s proud traditions while drawing visitors from across the UK.

Books Alive! – October

Books Alive! Is a reimagined literature festival designed for families and young readers. Running through half-term, the event will fill the town with storytelling installations, live performances and author-led workshops, turning Southport into a living storybook. You can find full details on the programme here.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, said: “Southport has a rich and celebrated history of fantastic entertainment for all the family across generations. We are proud to be working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Culture Liverpool to give Southport its well deserved spotlight with a year of amazing activities and free events.“2026 and beyond is an exciting time for the town with the regeneration of the Town Hall Gardens, the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre and more all coming in quick succession. I hope everyone takes this festive time to rest up because next year will be one that just doesn’t stop! We can’t wait to welcome visitors for this packed series of incredible events in this wonderful town.”