Hello and welcome to The Southport Lead.
When a deal for a developer to demolish the former Sands pub by Ainsdale beach and build a hotel in its place the reaction was largely positive. The contrast between the glory of the beach and its miserable surroundings is quite stark and redevelopment of those buildings is to be welcomed.
However, concerns were raised over key details of the agreement and, as always seems to be the case, frustrations were raised over the level of detail made available to councillors or the public.
The deal was given more scrutiny this week in an hour long meeting during questions were raised and previously unheard details were made shared - I watched that so that you don’t have to.
Southport briefing
⚰️ A funeral director who has supported thousands of families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives has celebrated 40 years in the profession. Michael Rushton, of M Rushton Funeral Directors, has spent all his life in the Southport area, growing up in Banks and beginning his career as a trainee in 1986 at a small family business. Shortly after, he joined Tony Jolly, the original owner of Moisters Funeral Directors in Southport, who he credits for much of his own professional work ethics, before opening his own business. He was this week presented with a commemorative plaque to mark his extraordinary landmark. Reflecting on his 40 years, Michael said: “It means everything to me that I am still caring for families, visiting families and conducting funerals regularly after all these years. I’m looking forward to seeing my 50th year in the profession that I care so much about.” Now part of the Funeral Partners network of family funeral homes, Michael has been able to spend more time supporting his family. He said: “I have gone from being on call 24/7 to working more part-time hours, which allows me to help care for my disabled children who need me, while still being able to work with my team and care for my community. That means so much to me.” There was another surprise waiting outside the funeral home to mark his anniversary – a specially created knitted postbox topper from Southport Hookers. Michael has personally thanked the group and is making a donation in recognition of their gesture.
🍻 A pub whose landlords left after 11 years will see new management take over next week. Seb Lang and Lesley Curtin left Blue Anchor, on Tithebarn Road, earlier this year in what they described was not an easy decision.. Owners Star Pubs have since recruited new landlords and are planning to refurbish the exterior of the building. As part of this, it has submitted a planning application for new signage. A spokesperson said: “We are redecorating the exterior of The Anchor, which includes new signage, to give the pub a smarter, fresher look. A new landlord will be taking on the lease of the pub on Monday and intends to continue to run it as a popular community focused local. The darts, pool and the children’s play facilities will all be kept with plans to introduce quiz and bingo nights.”
🎙️ People are invited to shout about all the things they love about Southport with the launch of the new ‘Speak Up For Southport’ campaign. The initiative is led by SoPodio, the new podcast studio which was officially opened at Eastbank enterprise arcade by former world champion boxer Tony Bellew in June, and by Stand Up For Southport. They are asking those living or working in Southport, or who love visiting, to share your videos letting the world know ‘Why I Love Southport’. Geoff White, of SoPodio, and Stand Up For Southport’s Andrew Brown said: “We want Southport to be seen for the amazing place it is and through the launch of ‘Speak Up For Southport’ you can join us in doing just that! We’d love to hear from people sharing what is great in this town. This campaign aims to promote pride, positivity and potential for Southport, which is seeing impactful changes happening in many different areas. It’s time to negate negativity and nebulise the nay-sayers!” You can read more on how to get involved here.
The Sands deal defended as council concedes it doesn’t know if developer can afford it
By Jamie Lopez
Sefton Council leaders conceded they have no way of knowing if the developer chosen to redevelop The Sands pub can finance its plan - but it insisted the deal is a good one.
Earlier this summer, the council agreed a contract which would see GSL Developments given an initial five year lease during which it must get planning permission and complete a development which involves demolishing the pub and building a hotel and leisure offering in its place.
If this is achieved within the agreed timeframe, the company will then be awarded a 250 year lease for the site. It is hoped that building on The Sands site will play a part in the regeneration of the Ainsdale beach gateway, which also includes replacing Toad Hall and redeveloping the Pontins site.
The agreement raised eyebrows over not just the length of the contract - which is double what Pontins has for the neighbouring site which remains disused - but also because of concerns over whether the developer is actually capable of delivering the project.
The company, under this name and a previous one, has twice been given exclusivity deals for Southport land to build a surf-based attraction but on both occasions no development ever occurred.
Sefton’s Liberal Democrats have regularly clashed with the council’s administration over what it perceives to be a lack of willingness to share information and the group was again unhappy about little information being shared with councillors over this deal. They called in the decision to award the lease, meaning it was reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday evening.
At that meeting, Lib Dem leader Cllr John Pugh introduced the call in request by stating he welcomed the redevelopment of the site but said questions needed to be answered about the structure of the deal and the developer’s track record.
Referencing the previous agreements for the surfing projects, he said: “I accept that The Sands is a less demanding project and I actually applaud the ambition of developers and their forbearance and tolerance of the council. Development’s tough and finance is hard to find.
“But I put it to the committee that there must be at least a fair question to be asked as to whether finance can be found by GSL or anyone to accomplish this particular project. It seems to me that the council needs to know that.”
Cllr Pugh cited a press release from the council in 2022 when the site was marketed in which Cllr Marian Atkinson, then cabinet member for regeneration and skills and now council leader, stated: “The site is ripe for regeneration and has incredible potential and we know from stringent market testing over the past year that there is wide scale interest from local and national organisations, keen to invest in it.”
However, the meeting heard that while discussions with GSL have been ongoing for four years, no other developer has come forward with a viable proposal. Stephen Watson, the council Executive Director for Place who advised that the deal be approved, explained that marketing of the site has continued throughout the last four years and that he regularly raised it when talking with developers.
The meeting also heard that no premium will be paid by the developer during the initial five year lease, though Mr Watson said there would be savings instead as GSL would take over liability and therefore be responsible for insurance and maintenance which is currently paid for by the council.
