Concerns are growing that the Southport Theatre and the associated Floral Hall may be the type of venues you will only see in old postcards.

The complex that once staged acts like the Beatles, PinkFloyd, the Who and Van Morrison has no clear place in Sefton Council plans despite local concerns; a Facebook group dedicated to re-opening the Theatre has 6,600 members.

In 2020 the Sefton bid for Town Centre funding included a proposal for a 1,100 seater auditorium on the Theatre site but it is not clear whether that would operate as a Theatre with regular performances and acts. Sefton already has another events programme for the Atkinson in the town centre. All theatres nationally are currently mothballed.

"My understanding,” states Cllr. John Pugh, " is that civil servants discussing the bid with Sefton baulked a little when the word “Theatre” was used. Building “theatres” is not seen in Westminster to be a good way of investing government funds."

"Bliss who own the adjacent hotel and will play a big part in the new developments,handed the Theatre back to Sefton last May. Making the Southport Theatre work without subsidy has not proved easy. I will be surprised if the bid for government cash talks much about Theatre restoration”.

However, Cllr Pugh believes the council must be as upfront and frank with the Southport public as possible.

“A convention centre, even a big auditorium or events space is not the same as the old type of Theatre - Chuck Berry and Ken Dodd filled, or that featured countless pantomimes. Oh no its not !”.

And if we are not going to get that back, I, like every other Southport resident, would like to know now.

It's a White Elephant, it is too big and too small, too big for a compact venue and not big enough for larger events, top acts and conferences need bigger more flexible venues those are the ones that need to be targeted.

Originally Posted by roving-eye

And if we are not going to get that back, I, like every other Southport resident, would like to know now.

How can you know now when the council's intentions are dependent on the outcome of the town deal bid they've submitted to government?
Once the results of the bid are known then the council can make a decision.

Does John Pugh do anything but report on his “concerns” and “fears” to make the Lib Dem’s seem that bit less ineffective? This little article is carefully based on no facts but

My understanding,” states Cllr. John Pugh, " is that civil servants discussing the bid with Sefton baulked a little when the word “Theatre” was used. Building “theatres” is not seen in Westminster to be a good way of investing government funds."

John Pugh and the libs have been around long enough in tax payer funded positions to achieved something of note, maybe it’s time for someone else to have a go and try to succeed where they have repeatedly failed to deliver anything but divisive politics especially around election times. None of this divisiveness is in the towns interest, it only helps the Lib Dem’s get a few cheap votes.

Perhaps building something like The Crunchable Theatre in Bolton would please the Government we could hold the World Wiff Waff Championships that would suit Boris.

Southport has lost almost all of its amenities, which for a seaside resort has been devastating. Under the correct management, people with experience in theatrical presentations - not just the 'I can do that' Joe idiots - the theatres can be very successful, even in this quiet town. There is more of a connection with the audience than cinemas and people enjoy the atmosphere. Thought and imagination have long been lacking in Southport, let's have a more positive approach for the future of our town.

Looking toward the future, there will be less employment as technology will be used far more than at present. People will have far more leisure time. Everyone will need far more entertainment, not just food and drink. All we have at present is our beach which should be given immediate attention as it is the first place visitors head for and from that central focus there should be additional leisure facilities leading into the actual town itself. If BID seriously need more footfall, they should be demanding the same.

How many people would still be visiting Southport if we had kept the two fairgrounds, if we had still had he open air swimming pool which could have doubled up as a show ice rink in the winter, sea food stalls, the Donkeys on the beach, the Aquarium, the motorcycles on the beach and of course the theatres producing great shows every week. Are people seriously going to be attracted to what is fast becoming an empty ghost suburb of Liverpool? I think not.

Are Southport audiences partly to blame. I've been to 3 gigs at Southport theatre and each time the audience sat mute in their seats then applauded politely at the end of each song. That's not how an audience for a rock band behaves! Get on your feet, dance, sing, clap along, show some enthusiasm. No wonder bands don't want to play here. The audience are like zombies, only less active. I go elsewhere - anywhere else - to see live music now.