Hello and welcome to The Southport Lead.
The Methodist Church had a central role in Southport from the very formation of the town and its buildings can be seen across it.
Among the first of those is Cornerstone Methodist Church, a grand and imposing building in Churchtown Village - but one which is in need of significant structural repairs.
It is no longer thought to be cost effective or even feasible to repair it and the site has listed for sale for a long time.
Now, plans for its demolition have been formally submitted. Today’s main story looks at that issue.
Southport briefing
💳 A woman and a man have been arrested after credit cards from a stolen purse were used around Southport. On the night of July 25th, it was reported that a purse had been taken from a taxi on Cross Street which had the victim’s credit cards and driving license inside. Shortly after the purse was stolen three transactions totalling over £64 were made from the victim’s credit cards. Officers investigating the incident gathered CCTV footage from supermarkets in the area which showed a man and a woman using the card. Officers arrested a 37-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man from Southport on suspicion of theft. They were taken to a police station in Merseyside for questioning and have since been bailed with conditions. Sefton Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Dave Uren said: “To fraudulently use someone’s credit cards is a serious offence and can have lasting consequences, with criminals able to make money transfers and steal personal information. Our officers contacted several supermarkets in the area and successfully reviewed CCTV footage from each store to make these arrests in Southport. If you have been a victim of fraud, theft or a similar crime please contact police so we can continue to take action.”
📷 The Southport Photographic Society has opened its Annual Members Photography Exhibition in Wayfarers Arcade in Southport town centre, showcasing a fantastic collection of images captured by its talented members. The exhibition opened on Thursday and runs until Thursday, September 3rd and admission is free with the group raising funds for Queenscourt Hospice. Southport Photographic Society Exhibition Co-ordinator Bill Gray said: “We are delighted to be hosting our exhibition at Wayfarers Arcade in Southport. We’d love to invite people to come and take a look. There are over 100 photographs on display, all taken by our members. We’re looking forward to a busy August Bank Holiday Weekend, while we’ll also be here into next week. We have people from Southport Photographic Society present throughout the event, who will be happy to chat with anyone interested in joining our group, or who is interested in learning more about photography.”
🔍 Police have launched an appeal after a £2,000 e-bike was stolen at Ainsdale railway station. The vehicle was taken from a platform at the station, with the owner assaulted as he attempted to confront the man who stole it from one of the platforms. British Transport Police has shared images of a man they wish to speak to and officers say they believe he could have information that may assist their enquiries. Anyone who recognises him is asked to text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 265 of 13 August. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Demolition plans moves forward for Cornerstone Methodist Church
By Jamie Lopez
One of Southport’s oldest churches is facing demolition amid significant structural problems.
An application has been submitted to knock down Cornerstone Methodist Church - but church leaders say it is only an option at this stage.
The church is located on Marshside Road near Churchtown Lights and is used for a range of community activities as well as being home to Cornerstone Library. While some sections of the current buildings are more modern, the original place of worship was first used in 1876.
Back then, the church could host 700 people but such was the dominance of Methodism in emerging Southport the building was expanded to house an increased capacity 18 years later.
The site has been listed for sale for more than a year-and-a-half with hopes it could be bought by a developer who would include religious space as part of a new housing estate. Given the church includes unusually large grounds, this was considered a plausible prospect with suggested drawings included with marketing materials showing 10 houses on the plot.
No buyer has yet been found however and the property and land remains available for sale with the church in ever worsening condition. With that in mind, the church’s trustees have requested permission to demolish the buildings.
Citing a structural investigation carried out in 2018, they argue it is technically possible to repair and refurbish the building but not financially or logistically viable. That investigation found structural defects affecting in particular the front gable and roof structure together with a programme of substantial structural intervention required to stabilise the entire building.
The report proposed solving the wide-ranging issues with the introduction of an entirely new structural support system involving new structural steel beams, new reinforced beam supports, new structural beam-to-beam connection, new concrete padstones and rebuilding of the masonry panels among other issues.
In its planning application, the trustees’ group argues that attempting these repairs would not be the best option. It states: “Whilst Keskin’s Report demonstrates that repair is theoretically achievable, it moreover demonstrates that such a repair would require major structural reconstruction.
