The broader Town Deal regeneration plan aims to rejuvenate the town with these sites, alongside a new visitor-focused hub, all designed to drive long-term economic growth.

This comes amid repeated rankings of Southport as one of the UK's worst seaside towns by Which? Magazine for two consecutive years, underscoring the urgency of the investment.

The overall narrative portrays a town moving from decline to a bold turnaround, anchored by substantial investment and a year-long slate of cultural programming.

Council leaders, including councillor Marion Atkinson, stress that regeneration is a long-term effort to restore Southport as a premier seaside destination and cultural hub.

Southport Pier, a Grade II-listed structure and the second-longest in the UK, is slated for a 14-month restoration starting early 2026, with completion expected in 2027 and potential annual economic output around £15 million once fully operational.

A comprehensive £37.5 million regeneration package, backed by government funding and the Liverpool City Region Development Partnership, targets transforming key Southport sites and boosting the local economy.

The package includes specific projects such as £20 million for government-funded Southport Pier repairs, £10 million to convert Southport Town Hall Gardens into a flexible events space, and developments at the Marine Lake Events Centre, Cove Resort, Ainsdale Coastal Gateway, The Garrick theatre-hotel, Sefton Padel courts, and a new Southport Visitor building with flats and retail space.

The Which? Magazine placement as a pressured backdrop emphasizes the local push to restore tourism appeal and infrastructure quality.

The pier closure since December 2022 due to health and safety issues will be resolved by the restoration, addressing long-standing concerns while reopening access to a key tourism asset.

The 2026 cultural calendar features flagship events such as LIGHTPORT in February, Cristal Palace in April, the Big Top Festival in May, Southport Originals in summer, and Books Alive! in October to attract visitors.

This broad program of cultural events is designed to boost tourism and local engagement, complementing the regeneration drive.

Local leaders emphasize the regeneration as a long-awaited opportunity to restore Southport’s historic status and entertainment pedigree, with coordinated efforts from councils and cultural partners to deliver free events and major infrastructure upgrades.