Town to share £6m cash aid

SOUTHPORT will receive a share of a £6m fund from the Liverpool City Region to boost its high streets.

The money, announced by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, will be used towards the refurbishment of historic features and in efforts to reduce shop vacancies. It has also been earmarked to contribute towards the redevelopment of Southport Market and to improve links between the town centre and seafront.

Each of the six boroughs of the city region will receive a share of the funding, with Sefton’s £1m allocation to be split between Southport and Bootle.

Sefton Council had pitched to the combined authority for Southport’s share, stating that the vision for the town was to creat “a classic seaside town that is more contemporary and dynamic, merging the old and the new; diverse in its offer; embracing creative industries, digital technology and youthful endeavour, in high quality leisure, retail, historic and public space offer for those who live in, work in and visit the town”.

In total, 10 towns and neighbourhoods have been chosen for the funding boost: County Road, Huyton, Prescot, Liscard, New Ferry, Southport, Bootle, St Helens town centre, Earlestown (Newton-leWillows) and Halton Lea.

Mr Rotheram said: “Our high streets were once the beating heart of our communities. But with the rise of new technologies and changing customer habits – they face a stark choice: modernisation or further decline.

“That is why we have introduced this £6m fund - to reimagine and reshape what our town centres look like in the 21st century.

“By working with our local authorities, we can take action to ensure they thrive over the next 20 years.”