A big split has developed between Southport's MP and Conservative councillors over the second set of massive spending of public money on Southport's Indoor Market.

Work is now well underway to turn Southport Market into a "food, drinks and events space" similar to Altrincham Market. But there are worries that splits on this issue could foment a 'nuclear explosion' like that which almost destroyed the Southport Conservatives in 2013.

Southport's Tory MP Damien Moore is this week hailing the transformation of Southport Market being made possible through Southport Town Deal acceleration grant funding from the Government. The government and the Liverpool City Region are between them going to stump up £1.4 million for the project which is modelled on Altrincham Market.

"Southport Market reopened this week, with its five independent local businesses based there ready to welcome back shoppers. Exciting plans are currently being worked on to convert the landmark building into a new food, drink and events hub, on similar lines to Altrincham Market."

"Sefton Council is currently looking at plans to convert the landmark facility from a classic market format into a food and drink market with event space."

"Drawing inspiration from the European culture of social eating, embracing local produce and fresh ingredients, the aim is to see Southport Market evolve into the type of market culture that has been successfully established throughout the UK as a social hub in places like Altrincham."

StandUpForSouthport.com , June 2020

"It is exciting to see that there is a new lease of life for Southport Market," says Mr Moore.

Perhaps realistically, Sefton Council is still planning for a continuing indefinite annual loss being made on the Southport Market's operations after the new refurb is completed - on top of the quarter of a million pounds of losses sustained by Council Tax payers since the last (2010) 'refurb' operation into which was poured £3 million. These major losses occurred when the Council projected a 'break even'.

In the recent past, veteran Dukes Ward Tory councillor Sir Ron Watson has panned the Market proposal. 18 months ago, Sir Ron warned Sefton Council against copying the Altrincham Market concept that some credit with revitalising that town. He cited inside knowledge as a regular visitor to Altrincham since his daughter lived nearby.

"I can assure you there isn't the slightest comparison between Altrincham and Southport market, and there will never ever be." he told councillors. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...yside-49045174

And Sir Ron put down a whole series of questions to the Cabinet Member for regeneration at Sefton Council meetings in June and September of 2020, querying various aspects of the market project. He pointedly asked "Will the Cabinet Member please advise what assessment has been made however of the catchment area the opening times i.e. Altrincham Market is open three days per week, and the socio-economic mix all of which impact significantly on the Market in Altrincham?"

Sir Ron had joined with local Lib Dem colleagues in resisting loss-making over-expensive Council vanity projects like the Indoor Market since long before he was deselected as a councillor by the Conservatives in 2014 - and he has joined in criticism of the Council's Bootle Strand shopping centre purchase.

The Council's venturing into commercial activity in Southport was plagued from its inception with £100,000 being spent by the Council on two chrome 'Market markers' one of which lay damaged for years after being hit by a lorry. The refurbished Market was too hot in summer and too cold in winter and the monstrous rent rises drove out many of the initial tenants. The ventilating windows had to be fixed shut because they posed an easy route into the building for burglars. A senior council official was injured in one incident involving a Market tenant and there were major continuing rows between some tenants and the private managers who the council brought in to 'make money'. Instead, there were growing losses, even when the Council finally took back management under its own direct control.

In 2014, Sir Ron Watson was sacked by the Tories and replaced on the council to represent the town centre area by former Councillor David Barton - who Sir Ron in turn then replaced in 2018 when Councillor Barton had the Tory whip withdrawn while under threat of criminal charges associated with the Barton Park nursing home scandal - charges later withdrawn.

The bust-up largely between Ainsdale and Southport Conservatives also saw former Tory council group leader Les Byrom join the Labour Party, where he now serves on the Council for a Crosby ward. Southport Conservative then chairman, Ainsdale Councillor Terry Jones, publicly called for Sir Ron to be thrown out of his chairmanship of the Southport & Ormskirk NHS Hospital Trust as well as wanting him turfed out of the Tory Party, saying: “I feel that I have no choice but to seek immediate expulsion of Cllr Ron Watson as I believe his actions look bad on our association.”

Councillors Jones and Watson now make up half of the Conservative Sefton Councillors representing parts of Southport.

The refurbished Indoor Market is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2021, with 10 new food units and a feature bar, supported by a flexible events space able to host a variety of events; and units for fresh produce stalls.

Food stalls were not enough to draw in the punters, last time a refurb took place. So it's hard to see the same sort of formula working his time around....Only real difference, apart from the 'canteen' area, is the alcohol on tap. Let's hope there are enough boozy (non-driving) shoppers in town to make this a success!

Originally Posted by said

it is of no interest to those who drive into town because of parking. There are many food places in Southport with varied menus and far more central..

The Market is almost surrounded with parking spaces. Problem is, there's rarely any vacant!

01/03/2021 13h45 said says: "…There is a need for the old style market, with a number of small stalls selling items not available elsewhere, at low prices to attract people. Originally, Southport Market was well managed it had a large variety of stalls, when the rents increased and many vendors left - it became a venue for butchers meat, later it changed again and became a venue for selling cheap clothing in styles not suited to the local needs. A well organised market could be successful.
"Every pound spent from the Council coffers should be spent on a business plan to match the potential. Comparisons with inner city markets indicates that the Council is lacking in imagination and knowledge of the needs of a seaside resort, and they are just wasting money. Only local people know the local town - Southport needs a local committee (voluntary even) who would advise the council on alterations in Southport and would save much council money."

said presumes to know what will work in Southport. S/he should be campaigning to become a Councillor (if not already — posting incognito — perhaps a prospective member of Cllr. Pugh's Independent Alliance?)

Free WiFi and a popular coffee outlet (daytime) …


folk dance on Wednesday evenings …

It'll work!

Originally Posted by said

Altrincham Market is centre to the town, with more wealthy customers and a far heavier footfall, the Baltic Triangle is in the heart of the Student Quarter in Liverpool, Southport Market is away from popular areas, away from direct footfall and is located in a back street of a town with no visitor attractions.

What customer base is this venue aimed at? It will be of no attraction to families with young children, it is unlikely to attract many local people, especially if the fare is as that obtained anywhere else in town and/or if the prices are high. It is not attractive to anyone local who seeks a quiet drink as it is open to the public, it is of no interest to those who drive into town because of parking. There are many food places in Southport with varied menus and far more central.

There is a need for the old style market, with a number of small stalls selling items not available elsewhere, at low prices to attract people. Originally, Southport Market was well managed it had a large variety of stalls, when the rents increased and many vendors left - it became a venue for butchers meat, later it changed again and became a venue for selling cheap clothing in styles not suited to the local needs. A well organised market could be successful.

Every pound spent from the Council coffers should be spent on a business plan to match the potential. Comparisons with inner city markets indicates that the Council is lacking in imagination and knowledge of the needs of a seaside resort, and they are just wasting money. Only local people know the local town - Southport needs a local committee (voluntary even) who would advise the council on alterations in Southport and would save much council money.

Have you actually been to any of these locations? The Baltic Triangle is NOT in the middle of the 'student quarter', part of the attraction is that there's not many students as they prefer other areas of the city for a night out!

Originally Posted by said

It is not attractive to anyone local who seeks a quiet drink as it is open to the public,

Local people are the public. If it wasn't open to the public they wouldn't be able to go in!

it is of no interest to those who drive into town because of parking.

Thankfully most people who go to licensed premises don't take their cars with them.

There is a need for the old style market, with a number of small stalls selling items not available elsewhere, at low prices to attract people.

Everything is available somehwere. Any business selling unique items isn't going to restrict their sales to a single venue in a provincial town nor sell them at rock bottom prices.