It’s a topic that’s so undecided in Southport - do we have too many.. should there be more.. and the big question: can Southport even handle more?

It's very clear with the rise of Amazon sales and out of town shopping estates combined with supermarkets selling shoes and clothes, that our local high street is suffering. It’s also very clear that the local high street cannot compete with these major competitors.

What is the future of the high street if we do not embrace Trendy Wine bars, live music venues, or Restaurants?

I feel we have two choices -1. look down the cosmopolitan road with that good feeling of being out and about around town or 2. Watch as we lose every major brand outlet and watch every major charity shop take over the high street.

Charity shops: bringing in the cash, but bringing down the High Street?

Let’s make it very clear, I think charity shops are great but how many can a road take before a road just turns into one gigantic jumble sale?!

If not trendy wine bars and eateries, then what else will save the high street?

Report by: Blake Maynard of Friends of Southport Facebook Group

Like any business if the demand is there they will survive.
Clearly there's currently more demand for eating and drinking establishments than shops.

It is the closing down and the demolition of some of the Public Houses that has caused the increase in these "Trendy" wine bars,of which I will never use as they are too expensive,selling beers and wines at "over the top prices" good luck to them if people want to go in them and pay their inflated prices,as I'll stick to a traditional brewery thank you,the local off licence.

I too use a Public House for consuming my favourite tipple which certainly is not wine. The Pubs are being closed and these establishments are opening in empty shops a combination that will see me teetotal if it continues.