Sefton Council is seeking the views of existing traders, residents and visitors regarding an exciting vision for the future of Southport Market.

Earlier this year, impressive images were released charting how the King Street market could look in the future.




While no final decisions have yet been made, Sefton Council is running a 4-week consultation regarding the future of the building.

The Council remains committed to ensuring Southport Market continues to operate and make a positive contribution to the local economy as well as becoming a key visitor destination.

We are now seeking the views of our existing traders, local businesses, residents and visitors to the area on the vision for the renewed market space through an e-consultation on sefton.gov.uk

Hard copies of the consultation will also be available at libraries, the two One Stop Shops in Sefton and Southport Market itself. The consultation runs until October 24.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “Earlier this year we released some amazing images on what Southport Market could look like in the future and the general feedback was very positive.

“We are now taking it to the next stage through a formal consultation process gauging what existing traders, visitors and residents across the borough think about the future use of the building.

“We really value the market but sadly it has become very clear that the current set up isn’t working making trading conditions extremely difficult with occupancy levels in decline.

“Building on our former investment at the market, hopefully this consultation will guide us in the right direction to potentially transform the building into a unique offer that will only benefit the town and the wider borough.

“While nothing is set in stone, we really hope people find the time to tell us what they think and help define a new exciting chapter at the market.”

The consultation can be viewed at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/ and to see more images and details on what the new operation could look like, visit https://southportmarket.com/

Originally Posted by roving-eye

Sefton Council is seeking the views of existing traders, residents and visitors regarding an exciting vision for the future of Southport Market.


Earlier this year, impressive images were released charting how the King Street market could look in the future.
















While no final decisions have yet been made, Sefton Council is running a 4-week consultation regarding the future of the building.


The Council remains committed to ensuring Southport Market continues to operate and make a positive contribution to the local economy as well as becoming a key visitor destination.


We are now seeking the views of our existing traders, local businesses, residents and visitors to the area on the vision for the renewed market space through an e-consultation on sefton.gov.uk


Hard copies of the consultation will also be available at libraries, the two One Stop Shops in Sefton and Southport Market itself. The consultation runs until October 24.


Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “Earlier this year we released some amazing images on what Southport Market could look like in the future and the general feedback was very positive.


“We are now taking it to the next stage through a formal consultation process gauging what existing traders, visitors and residents across the borough think about the future use of the building.


“We really value the market but sadly it has become very clear that the current set up isn’t working making trading conditions extremely difficult with occupancy levels in decline.


“Building on our former investment at the market, hopefully this consultation will guide us in the right direction to potentially transform the building into a unique offer that will only benefit the town and the wider borough.


“While nothing is set in stone, we really hope people find the time to tell us what they think and help define a new exciting chapter at the market.”


The consultation can be viewed at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/ and to see more images and details on what the new operation could look like, visit https://southportmarket.com/

Its all a PR exercise, there will be a block of flats on the site before long. wait and see. Why have an outdoor market in Chepel Street when there is a perfectly good site in King Street.

No more than a lip service exercise. The decision makers at Sefton Council have already made up their minds on the future of the Market, it will almost certainly be demolished and a block of flats built in its place. SHAMEFUL!!

But Southport needs more flats built..................NOT!!

As in ;
Shakespeare Pub.....demolished..........Flats
London Hotel...........demolished..........Houses/Flats
Blundell Arms.?........probably flats

Where can I find the proposal for the flats ?

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

But Southport needs more flats built..................NOT!!

As in ;
Shakespeare Pub.....demolished..........Flats
London Hotel...........demolished..........Houses/Flats
Blundell Arms.?........probably flats

I love a good market, but Southport market isn’t good market anymore . As much as an advertised feature as it is, it would for purely financial reasons be better demolished and made in to a pay and display car park for financial reasons. Who would get the £1000+ revenue a day off this who knows. But I would like to buy the stone off the original building if this was to be achieved. It’s a shame but markets need footfall. If it ain’t cheap for the fresh stuff they will go supermarkets. From a guy that loved the place. Just on its own that cafe that used to be there years ago. Cheap and cheerful but you waited on food, because it was busy.But if businesses can’t add the figures up to make a living basically,they can’t work there. As much effort as they put in.Hope some one finds a solution as years ago before it was done up. I used to love taking my kids around it. What ever happened to the Chinese girl who food wise, if they didn’t have it there it would be there next day. There is no more Chinese stores in Southport to get basic ingredients for the have a go experimental cook.Have to go to Bootle.Thats what markets were all about. Go Bolton market for a day out. Make sure your freezers empty. You won’t believe how cheap it is to buy fish & meat in bulk. Free parking outside the markets own car park.plus the atmosphere. Great outing with young kids what ever weather indoor. Worth a look.

Originally Posted by local

Where can I find the proposal for the flats ?

There isn't one.
But it does seem a bit pointless pretending to consult with the public over proposals for a food hall when the designs for the food hall were released months ago.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

There isn't one.
But it does seem a bit pointless pretending to consult with the public over proposals for a food hall when the designs for the food hall were released months ago.

in repl to thread.turn bhs into multi market.the market into multi storey car park.reduce the parking fees.20 mins free parking across the town ,usability of parking ticket for time paid ,to all central areas.once sainsburys locate to kew theyl up and go .quick time ,so another site for use soon ,as most use it for free parking anyway ,turn it into a unique car park with a lower level retail outlet with a visualy heritage designed exteriuor in keeping with lord streets vista.on its upperfloor levels.ease up on the parking regime.let the buissnes community have more freedom to enhance their areas ,without the council restrictions and legetisive obstructions to attract us to make the input to the towns attractiveness.reduce the discrimination and bullying of the bid or remove it,and engage a proper buissness community organisation engaging all town centers buissnesses ,with a respected and listened to say with councils final remit ,with the communitys embraced interactions in mind.

The only way the market can be successful is if it has footfall, to increase this these 'pop up' markets that keep popping up must be either stopped or moved into the market hall. The whole Town Centre needs reviewing and traders on the periphery encouraged to move into the centre, the market needs to have more variety of traders and more competition so the Market Management need to actively chase traders to get them to take up tenancies, if this means empty premises on the edge of town all well and good. Pedestrianisation of the central part of Lord St from Eastbank St / Chapel St to Hoghton St / London St with only Buses / Taxis permitted and a Bus Station set up at the Railway Station needs to happen as well.

Originally Posted by jamyramy

in repl to thread.turn bhs into multi market.the market into multi storey car park.reduce the parking fees.20 mins free parking across the town ,usability of parking ticket for time paid ,to all central areas.once sainsburys locate to kew theyl up and go .quick time ,so another site for use soon ,as most use it for free parking anyway ,turn it into a unique car park with a lower level retail outlet with a visualy heritage designed exteriuor in keeping with lord streets vista.on its upperfloor levels.ease up on the parking regime.let the buissnes community have more freedom to enhance their areas ,without the council restrictions and legetisive obstructions to attract us to make the input to the towns attractiveness.reduce the discrimination and bullying of the bid or remove it,and engage a proper buissness community organisation engaging all town centers buissnesses ,with a respected and listened to say with councils final remit ,with the communitys embraced interactions in mind.

So instead of the council using the market which they already own as a market you want them to buy a privately owned prime site to turn it into a market. Then buy another privately owned prime site to convert and replace the existing market with a multi storey car park. And you hope to recover the millions all this would cost with reduced parking fees?

I think that Sefton MBC has already decided that the building is going to be a 'unique food and drink' venue, but I'd be interested to see what will be 'unique' about it, and what the mix will be of eateries and retail speciality food outlets, if that's what they have in mind.

I also wonder what/who the target market will be. There is only so much custom for restaurants, and I don't think the existing restaurants (mainly on Lord Street and the streets behind it) will take kindly to more competition.

Visitors to Southport don't seem to stray too far from the promenade/pier/Nevill Street, Lord Street area, and Sefton's efforts to attact people to the current market don't seem to have been successful, so where will the business come from?

very sorry but the market is now last century....shoppers now shop in cars,,,kew,,,aldi tesco.. central etc....cars and shoppers are not welcome in the town...why would you pay to shop....its like sefton is not aware of the internet....

Originally Posted by salus.populi

So instead of the council using the market which they already own as a market you want them to buy a privately owned prime site to turn it into a market. Then buy another privately owned prime site to convert and replace the existing market with a multi storey car park. And you hope to recover the millions all this would cost with reduced parking fees?

well the current parking regime clearly isn't working and its revenues are falling.other than this as council remit I didn't say the council should make these investments.councils asking for opinions,well as they saying goes don't ask the question if you cant handle its answers!

Originally Posted by Lamparilla

I think that Sefton MBC has already decided that the building is going to be a 'unique food and drink' venue, but I'd be interested to see what will be 'unique' about it, and what the mix will be of eateries and retail speciality food outlets, if that's what they have in mind.

I also wonder what/who the target market will be. There is only so much custom for restaurants, and I don't think the existing restaurants (mainly on Lord Street and the streets behind it) will take kindly to more competition.

Visitors to Southport don't seem to stray too far from the promenade/pier/Nevill Street, Lord Street area, and Sefton's efforts to attact people to the current market don't seem to have been successful, so where will the business come from?

Sefton have employed Consultants to review the markets future and this is what they have come up with, they cannot ignore the advice or they get slated for wasting money, damned if they do damned if they don't.
All markets, town centres and shoppings centres are struggling, I've just been reading about Manchesters Arndale Centre, a few weeks ago it was St Johns in Liverpool, it is not just the Internet thar has screwed things up it started before that with Car Boot sales, traders moved away from regulated markets to unregulated Car Boot sales.

Originally Posted by Alikado

Sefton have employed Consultants to review the markets future and this is what they have come up with, they cannot ignore the advice or they get slated for wasting money, damned if they do damned if they don't.
All markets, town centres and shoppings centres are struggling, I've just been reading about Manchesters Arndale Centre, a few weeks ago it was St Johns in Liverpool, it is not just the Internet thar has screwed things up it started before that with Car Boot sales, traders moved away from regulated markets to unregulated Car Boot sales.

Well, they employed consultants last time (Quarterbridge, wasn't it?) and it's been an abject failure. So, having such faith in consultants sounds like throwing good money after bad.

Perhaps they should engage someone on a 'payment by results' project, although most consultants would recoil in horror at that prospect.