Plans are accelerating on a £75m ‘leisure beach and thermal spa’ planned for Southport that will create hundreds of jobs and attract thousands of visitors to the town. Tony McDonough reports for lbndaily.co.uk

Entrepreneurs behind a proposed £75m ‘leisure beach and thermal spa’ at the Princes Park waterfront in Southport are ready to accelerate their plans.

First unveiled in late 2020, The Cove Resort, next to the former open-air sea bathing lake that closed in 1989, could be a key part of the regeneration of Southport, creating hundreds of jobs, and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Co-founders Tony Howard and Tamlyn Stone say the new development, will bring “health and wellbeing coupled with active fun, all year round”.

In addition to a four-star hotel, there will be attractions for all ages. They will include swimming, surfing in a “world class” lagoon, fitness facilities and other indoor/outdoor leisure activities and events.

It will also offer a more relaxing “thermal journey”, through pools of water designed to improve metabolism and increase circulation, including steam rooms, saunas, Turkish baths, and a heated outdoor relaxation pool. Healthy food offerings will also be part of the mix.

The indoor and outdoor facilities will wrap around the south-facing lagoon to provide shelter from the sea winds, also echoing the amphitheatre shape of the sea bathing lake which it replaces.

The terrace and main public space will be above the height of the sea wall, and glass facades will offer panoramic views of the coastline in one direction, and of the lake and the lagoon in the other. “All aspects of the resort will be visually connected to water.”

Tony and Tamlyn have put together an international team of experts. They include architects Leonard Design, construction consultants WWA, and wave providers Whitewater West.

The project will be private sector funded and discussions with investors are well advanced. Sefton Council is looking to leverage hundreds of millions of pounds of private sector investment on the back of last year’s £37.5m Town Deal funding from the Government.

READ MORE: How 37.5m Town Deal will revitalise Southport

A ‘pre-application’ proposal has been submitted to Sefton Council and work continues. Upon agreeing final terms with Sefton, a detailed planning application will be developed. The full planning process may take up to 12 months followed by a construction period of two years. Tony adds, “If all agreements are in place, the resort could be open as soon as 2025.”

Although the resort will very much about a new future for Southport, its ethos lies deeper in the origins of the seaside town.

It was innkeeper William Sutton who first put Southport on the map when he built a bathing house in 1792. As the Industrial Revolution gathered pace the growth of the railways opened up the seaside and people flocked to Southport in their thousands for rest and recuperation.

Two centuries before the term ‘health and wellbeing’ even existed, Southport was embracing this concept as doctors of the time prescribed the town’s sea-bathing, sea-air and its many hydropathic establishments.

As the town moved into the early 20th century, the appetite for wellness continued with the introduction of the spectacular sea bathing lake and many glorious theatres.

For Tony there is a personal connection to The Cove. He told LBN: “My grandmother was present at the grand opening of the sea bathing lake in 1928. As a child I would hear her stories, clearly it was a time of glamour, sophistication, and liberation.

“Having lived away for a number of years, I returned to my hometown in March 2020, looking upon the waterfront and town with fresh eyes. To have so much heritage from a town’s glorious past still intact is remarkable, many other historic seaside towns look longingly on what remains in Southport.

“The waterfront has so much potential, but I believe it requires ambitious, modern-day attractions and experiences to appeal to a broader audience from all parts of the UK and perhaps beyond.”

“Our concept aligns with the town’s heritage, but it is reimagined in a very modern way. In 2019 the town attracted an impressive 9m visitors, of which most were day-trippers. More reasons to stay for longer are needed, and The Cove can help drive that.”

READ MORE: Sefton appoints Marine Lake project team

Tony is determined that The Cove doesn’t just become an isolated attraction. He wants it to be part of the town and community, widely available to local residents to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits. Free time slots in the lagoon will be allocated for local schools and other groups.

He added: “The Cove’s appeal, and even its very identity, will be more than what’s on offer within its boundaries. There is so much to offer in Southport and along our coastline – golf, kitesurfing, cycling, paddle-boarding, the amusement park, sand dunes, pinewoods, and the splendour of Lord Street, to name but a few.

“Southport is an incredible experiential destination, one which The Cove wishes to enhance and promote widely.”

“Southport should continue to embrace its history whilst also learning from it. Success came from a clear understanding of its identity and a bucketful of ambition. The town has so much to be proud of, but perhaps the next level of transformation will only come from self-belief and being bold in delivery.”

Source: Liverpool Business News Daily https://lbndaily.co.uk/

Originally Posted by editor

Plans are accelerating on a £75m ‘leisure beach and thermal spa’ planned for Southport that will create hundreds of jobs and attract thousands of visitors to the town. Tony McDonough reports for lbndaily.co.ukEntrepreneurs behind a proposed £75m ‘leisure beach and thermal spa’ at the Princes Park waterfront in Southport are ready to accelerate their plans.First unveiled in late 2020, The Cove Resort, next to the former open-air sea bathing lake that closed in 1989, could be a key part of the regeneration of Southport, creating hundreds of jobs, and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.Co-founders Tony Howard and Tamlyn Stone say the new development, will bring “health and wellbeing coupled with active fun, all year round”.In addition to a four-star hotel, there will be attractions for all ages. They will include swimming, surfing in a “world class” lagoon, fitness facilities and other indoor/outdoor leisure activities and events.It will also offer a more relaxing “thermal journey”, through pools of water designed to improve metabolism and increase circulation, including steam rooms, saunas, Turkish baths, and a heated outdoor relaxation pool. Healthy food offerings will also be part of the mix.The indoor and outdoor facilities will wrap around the south-facing lagoon to provide shelter from the sea winds, also echoing the amphitheatre shape of the sea bathing lake which it replaces.The terrace and main public space will be above the height of the sea wall, and glass facades will offer panoramic views of the coastline in one direction, and of the lake and the lagoon in the other. “All aspects of the resort will be visually connected to water.”Tony and Tamlyn have put together an international team of experts. They include architects Leonard Design, construction consultants WWA, and wave providers Whitewater West.The project will be private sector funded and discussions with investors are well advanced. Sefton Council is looking to leverage hundreds of millions of pounds of private sector investment on the back of last year’s £37.5m Town Deal funding from the Government.READ MORE: How 37.5m Town Deal will revitalise SouthportA ‘pre-application’ proposal has been submitted to Sefton Council and work continues. Upon agreeing final terms with Sefton, a detailed planning application will be developed. The full planning process may take up to 12 months followed by a construction period of two years. Tony adds, “If all agreements are in place, the resort could be open as soon as 2025.”Although the resort will very much about a new future for Southport, its ethos lies deeper in the origins of the seaside town.It was innkeeper William Sutton who first put Southport on the map when he built a bathing house in 1792. As the Industrial Revolution gathered pace the growth of the railways opened up the seaside and people flocked to Southport in their thousands for rest and recuperation.Two centuries before the term ‘health and wellbeing’ even existed, Southport was embracing this concept as doctors of the time prescribed the town’s sea-bathing, sea-air and its many hydropathic establishments.As the town moved into the early 20th century, the appetite for wellness continued with the introduction of the spectacular sea bathing lake and many glorious theatres.For Tony there is a personal connection to The Cove. He told LBN: “My grandmother was present at the grand opening of the sea bathing lake in 1928. As a child I would hear her stories, clearly it was a time of glamour, sophistication, and liberation.“Having lived away for a number of years, I returned to my hometown in March 2020, looking upon the waterfront and town with fresh eyes. To have so much heritage from a town’s glorious past still intact is remarkable, many other historic seaside towns look longingly on what remains in Southport.“The waterfront has so much potential, but I believe it requires ambitious, modern-day attractions and experiences to appeal to a broader audience from all parts of the UK and perhaps beyond.”“Our concept aligns with the town’s heritage, but it is reimagined in a very modern way. In 2019 the town attracted an impressive 9m visitors, of which most were day-trippers. More reasons to stay for longer are needed, and The Cove can help drive that.”READ MORE: Sefton appoints Marine Lake project teamTony is determined that The Cove doesn’t just become an isolated attraction. He wants it to be part of the town and community, widely available to local residents to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits. Free time slots in the lagoon will be allocated for local schools and other groups.He added: “The Cove’s appeal, and even its very identity, will be more than what’s on offer within its boundaries. There is so much to offer in Southport and along our coastline – golf, kitesurfing, cycling, paddle-boarding, the amusement park, sand dunes, pinewoods, and the splendour of Lord Street, to name but a few.“Southport is an incredible experiential destination, one which The Cove wishes to enhance and promote widely.”“Southport should continue to embrace its history whilst also learning from it. Success came from a clear understanding of its identity and a bucketful of ambition. The town has so much to be proud of, but perhaps the next level of transformation will only come from self-belief and being bold in delivery.”Source: Liverpool Business News Daily https://lbndaily.co.uk/

this is going to be fantastic such a new lease of life for the town with all the other exciting developments that are planned

Good work so far Tony and Tamlyn. Keep it up. Looking forward to seeing this develop.

Imagine, standing on the 48th floor of the "Tower of Hope" looking over this amazing "Cove of Delight".

Pausing only to feed the pigs as they fly peacefully by.

Originally Posted by r4dent

Imagine, standing on the 48th floor of the "Tower of Hope" looking over this amazing "Cove of Delight".

Pausing only to feed the pigs as they fly peacefully by.

Get back in the sewer.

Originally Posted by lawed143

Get back in the sewer.

If you disagree with my view by all means say so, but why the need for such an offensive post?

You are entitled to your view, I am entitled to mine.

Have a nice day anyway.

Originally Posted by r4dent

If you disagree with my view by all means say so, but why the need for such an offensive post?

You are entitled to your view, I am entitled to mine.

Have a nice day anyway.

You didn’t get the joke…….:-/

Wont happen. Over ambitious. Over optomistic.

Why do people have to "copy and paste" the original post in their replies ? As posters will have already read the article anyway..Completely pointless in my opinion.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

Why do people have to "copy and paste" the original post in their replies ? As posters will have already read the article anyway..Completely pointless in my opinion.

The ‘reply with quote’ button needs removing from the original story. Drives me nuts too.

Originally Posted by donkey22

The ‘reply with quote’ button needs removing

100% agree.

I never use it :)

Originally Posted by donkey22

The ‘reply with quote’ button needs removing from the original story. Drives me nuts too.

Originally Posted by r4dent

100% agree.

I never use it :)

In some instances its handy, on the forum when replying to a post earlier in the conversation. You can always delete some on the text/photos between the quotes.

Originally Posted by gsgsgs

In some instances its handy, on the forum when replying to a post earlier in the conversation. You can always delete some on the text/photos between the quotes.

Absolutely and agreed. You’re describing the correct way to use that button. I was referring to posters who make the first reply to the story by embedding a complete copy of the entire story in their reply which is what happened here with this story (see the first reply by town36).

This will be fantastic for the town, of course you will get the people saying it will never happen, they are the glass empty brigade who just don’t believe in the town.

the money getting put into Southport will make us the go to place all year round and I fully believe this will happen.

Originally Posted by Maddox

This will be fantastic for the town, of course you will get the people saying it will never happen, they are the glass empty brigade who just don’t believe in the town.

the money getting put into Southport will make us the go to place all year round and I fully believe this will happen.

Precisely.! There are so many negative fools on here that knock every attempt at improvement. They base their opinions on historic failures and don’t consider any of the successes. It’s always the usual suspects too.