The Trustee Directors of the Southport Lifeboat are delighted to announce that a lease for the site of the new £1.4 million lifeboat house has been signed and building work is due to commence on the station in the coming weeks.

Despite a lot of the funds being in place and having obtained planning permission in August 2015, the Trust have been working with Sefton Council and Natural England to meet the conditions necessary for approval to be granted for signing over of the land.
Trustee Nicola Goldup said; “We’re delighted that we have been able overcome this hurdle and are excited for the building work to get underway.

“Whilst it has taken longer than all parties had hoped, we have been able to tick all the boxes necessary to satisfy all parties and can move forward in delivering an iconic building for our seafront, which will serve as an operational base and training centre for all of our crew and lifesaving equipment for generations to come.”

Construction on what will be the largest lifeboat house in the North West is due to begin in the coming weeks with the station expected to be completed in early 2019.
A larger, purpose built station not only means that both lifeboats and their respective

launch vehicles can remain coupled together, but will also allow room for the much needed facilities our crew have been lacking for so many years; all at a location closer to the beach.

I am absolutely all in favour of a new fit-for-purpose Lifeboat station and the location makes perfect sense, but why does it have to look like a warehouse? Can't we have something of some architectural merit for a change?

First off, form follows function, it needs to be practical as a lifeboat house. Personally, I think it looks smart.

Secondly it has to meet so many criteria that there aren't a lot of choices when it comes to cladding material. It has to satisfy the planning, have a guarantee to withstand the salty air and also be in budget for the charity. This left only one option.