From the ashes of The Kingsway, inevitably, comes housing

Fifteen years after an arson attack gutted the iconic venue, its barren land could have a new future

Hello and welcome to the midweek edition of The Southport Lead.

Fifteen years ago, one of Southport’s best-known and much-loved venues burned down.

The Kingsway had hosted the likes of The Beatles during its illustrious history but ultimately fell into decline and its demise was clinched by an arson attack.

Years on from the fire which brought out crowds of shocked onlookers, today’s edition looks back at the history of the building, its untimely demise, and news of what could come next as plans are revealed for the first time in more than a decade.

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Southport briefing

🚘 You may remember that earlier this year, an historic shelter next to Marine Lake was destroyed by a car which crashed into the water. The man responsible - Harry Mason - has now been sentenced for dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Liverpool Crown Court heard that he had sped at 90mph in his girlfriend’s car and later lied to police that it had been stolen. Sefton Council could also attempt to pursue him for the £90,000 of damage he caused. Read more here

📁 A psychiatrist said he was unaware the Southport killer had previously been caught carrying a knife, despite the fact it was recorded in medical notes, a public inquiry has been told. Asked if he had “failed in his duty” to check them more thoroughly, Dr Lakshmi Ramasubramanian said: “I don’t accept that submission.”

🧵 A life-size Spitfire made from crochet has been installed in the Town Hall Gardens. The eye-catching artwork has been created by community groups including Southport Royal British Legion, Southport Hookers, Merseyside Polonia and others, with the support of Sefton Council, after eight months of careful planning and meticulous work. Read more here

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New housing plan brought forward for The Kingsway site

By Jamie Lopez

Fifteen years after the historic building was torn down having been left unsalvageable by an arson attack, new housing plans are set to come forward to replace the Kingsway club.

Plans are being considered for a new block to be built on land which was once occupied by a legendary venue but for more than a decade has been no more than a car park.

The former nightclub and casino stood tall over Southport’s Promenade for more than seven decades and its list of star performers included Tom Jones, Cilla Black and, most famously of all, The Beatles. The first of the band’s seven performances at the venue was also the first time Ringo Starr joined the line up as he stepped in to replace an ill Pete Best.

Over the years, other big names to appear on the list were Norman Wisdom, Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom O’Connor while the venue enjoyed a reputation which attracted guests from far and wide.

Among those to have have attended either as guests or performers in its second heyday in the 1990s were footballers David Beckham and Steven Gerrard and pop stars Martin Kemp and Howard Donald.