Southport

One of the UK's 'worst seaside towns' is getting a huge £37.5million revamp The coastal town has been ranked by Which? Magazine as one of the worst seaside towns in the UK for two consecutive years Sunny days seem to be ahead for a UK seaside town that has long suffered bad reviews and cruel digs. Southport in Merseyside was, like many other coastal spots, a prime seaside resort during Victorian times. Southport Beach marks the northernmost point of Sefton’s stunning 22-mile stretch of coast and features one of the nation's most distinctive natural habitats. It serves as a sanctuary for thousands of migratory wading birds travelling from their northern breeding territories and has gained recognition for staging the Southport Air Show. Southport's pier was one of the town's major attractions along with shops on Lord Street, but both appear to be fading. The Grade II-listed pier is the second longest in the country, but it has been closed since December 2022 due to serious health and safety issues. However, the pier, and many other parts of the town, are in line for a serious makeover that locals hope will radically change the feel of the place. Southport Town Hall Gardens: £10 m transformation into a family-friendly flexible events and community space. Liverpool City Region Development Partnership lists some of the biggest redevelopment projects that locals and visitors will see taking shape this year. Some have been inspired by the £37.5 million Southport Town Deal regeneration support from the Government. Southporters can also look forward to a year of cultural events which, according to Sefton Council, continue the town's entertainment pedigree. "For over two centuries, it’s been a place of performance, spectacle and eccentric entertainment with visitors from Napoleon III to Judy Garland revelling in Venetian Gondolas taking over the water, Elephants parading on Lord Street, Camel Races on the beach and famous street entertainers diving from the pier," the council's website reads. Giant Chandeliers, world class circus performers and never ending rainbows will all be on show in Southport next year as part of a hugely ambitious programme of new cultural events. As one of the UK’s most historic seaside destinations, Southport has long drawn generations of visitors with its elegant boulevards, Victorian architecture and flamboyant history. A breathtaking immersive light and sound installation from leading international artists Lucid Creates that will turn the town into a walk-through rainbow of colour and creativity. World-renowned French street theatre company Transe Express brings its spectacular show Cristal Palace to Lord Street with a 15-metre-wide flying chandelier, transforming the street into an open-air ballroom with live music, aerial performance, and dance, a dazzling fusion of art and theatre set to be one of the year’s defining moments. Big Top Festival will take over the town with the best of modern circus, including shows from world-renowned companies, including Circa and Gandini Juggling, coming to one of the art form's spiritual homes. Across open-air stages, audiences can expect breathtaking acts, live music and hands-on workshops for all ages. Throughout the summer, Southport’s much-loved calendar favourites return in style, the Southport Flower Show, Food and Drink Festival, Southport Air Show and British Musical Fireworks Championships, celebrating the town’s proud traditions while drawing visitors from across the UK. Books Alive! Is a reimagined literature festival designed for families and young readers. Running through half-term, the event will fill the town with storytelling installations, live performances and author-led workshops, turning Southport into a living storybook. You can find full details on the programme here . Councillor Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, said: “Southport has a rich and celebrated history of fantastic entertainment for all the family across generatio