"Southport's status and future as a seaside town looks bleak.". That was the grim warning from former MP and now local councillor, John Pugh, during a powerful speech to a packed council chamber. With clear anxiety, Councillor Pugh expressed worries over Southport's ability to maintain its reputation as an archetypal British 'seaside town'. The situation is made all the more fraught against the worsening state of the renowned Southport pier, closed for over two years now along with rising concerns regarding the increased "muddiness" affecting the once-gleaming beach.

But hope may still be on the horizon as Sefton Council reassured the public with statements detailing their dedicated effort to rejuvenate and reopen the iconic pier. The council noted that they are diligently assessing the factors influencing the leisure beachs condition. Nonetheless, the harsh reality is underscored by the considerable financial shortfall exposed by the pier's closure in 2022, a move compelled by safety fears, leaving the local authority scrambling to gather resources to rectify the various serious problems plaguing it, according to Lancs Live.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "Sefton Council has and will continue to invest resources and funds into the Southport Pier project and there is an incredible depth of planning that is being done to put the Pier in the best possible position so that refurbishment can begin swiftly once vital and necessary funding is secured.". The plans to revamp the pier are part of Sefton Council's larger-scale ambitions to regenerate Southport. Last week, work began on transforming the 'Market Quarter', with the announcement of investment for a makeover of Leo's Bar and the upcoming launch of the 'Enterprise Arcade' this spring.

The £73m Marine Lake Events Centre project is expected to be a major draw, attracting 288,000 visitors each year. Councillor Paulette Lappin said: "Not only are these projects directly impactful but they have also catalysed significant private sector investment, with exciting developments such as the Cove Resort project, enhanced Pleasureland attractions and renewed interest in key sites like the Waterfront Hotel and the former BHS building.".

However, not everyone is convinced about the town's future. Brenda, a Formby resident of nearly 50 years who regularly visits Southport for shopping, has seen the area undergo significant changes over the years. She recalled: "It used to be so pretty and bustling and the buildings were lovely. It was a great place to visit, especially for the kids.In terms of what I understand it to be, I couldn't describe it as a seaside town now. It's gone scruffier. The shops are empty. It just feels it's on the decline.".

Expressing her hopes, Brenda added: "I couldn't tell you what, but it obviously needs something. We'll have to wait and see what they come up with and I just hope I live long enough to see an improvement.". The need for enhancements in the town is urgent for some locals, like David Winn, proprietor of Met Quarter Tattoo in Southport. After nearly eight years of business and a lifetime lived in the town since his childhood, Dave has a wealth of suggestions to better the locality, advocating greater involvement from local enterprises.

Yet, Dave eyes so-called rejuvenation efforts such as 'Transformation de Southport', centred on areas such as Market Street, with a hefty dose of scepticism. He believes small businesses have been largely ignored in the dialogue, especially concerning the repercussions of ceaseless roadworks. Dave remains dubious about the refurbishing of the pier being the panacea for Southport's woes. Dave said: "When I was a lot younger, Southport was a vibrant, thriving town, but anything that they've done to sort of modernise it has ruined most of it. These projects are always projected as 'it's going to be the greatest thing'. There's plenty of empty units in amazing buildings just lying empty and also in a bad condition. We should be lowering rates and rent and supporting new businesses and spending some money on refurbishing these existing spaces.".

Dave expressed his concern saying: "There is a lot of potential here but we have a bit of an identity crisis at the moment and are stuck between an idea. We don't seem to know whether we want to be 'high end' or 'kiss me quick'.". Southport's latent charm worked its magic on Tracy Jones who, inspired by the towns grand Victorian architecture and the appealing aesthetics of Lord Street's shop displays, relocated from Brighton and opened 'The Plant Room' in early 2023.

Having been drawn to Southport through numerous visits over the last couple of years due to her husband's local roots, Tracy decisively set down her business roots in the town's potential-rich soil. 'The Plant Room', Tracy's new venture, finds its home on Market Street, a locale that's currently witnessing transformative changes expected to result in pedestrian-friendly zones and enhanced connectivity, factors anticipated to provide a significant lift to local commerce, despite fears regarding the impending ten months of roadworks.