Southport’s historic Town Hall gardens space will undergo its most significant regeneration ever, creating a family-friendly, child-orientated, and safe open-air performance and gathering space as a lasting tribute to the people of the town.
Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King, whose shared love of dance, music and the arts have inspired a vision for a new town square that will be an inclusive community focussed events space in the heart of Southport Town Centre.
The Town Hall gardens space has long been an integral part of Southport’s rich history, but in 2024 it took on new meaning as a place of unity, healing and hope
Thousands gathered there for a community vigil and used it as a place to leave tributes and flowers for the victims of the tragedy, demonstrating the community’s strength in adversity.
Ahead of the full-scale transformation, temporary improvements have been made to the Town Hall Gardens space to enhance its appearance and atmosphere.
Consultation
More than 300 locals have taken part across two stages of in-depth public consultation since the plans were first announced in 2025, with the majority of respondents in the most recent stage saying they fully support the regeneration.
Heritage England, Merseyside Police, Southport businesses as well as representatives from civic heritage groups have also had input into the proposals.
On top of that hundreds of schoolchildren from across Southport have been invited to give their thoughts on how they will use the space for their generation and beyond.
These vitally important perspectives are now being incorporated into the finalisation of the project’s planning application.
Heritage
This includes the protection of Listed heritage assets and the sensitive dismantling of non-heritage style assets which can then be re-used in future projects in the town centre.
Having listened to public feedback the design team are also exploring the introduction of a new low-level wall at the front of the proposed Celebration Gardens to help maintain consistency with the wider character of Lord Street.
Investment
The regeneration brings vital, much needed investment into the space and the wider Town Centre
In a joint comment from the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, they said: “We are really pleased to see how far and wide the engagement has been in the consultation process on what we've always hoped would be a wonderfully transformative project for Southport.
“We attended a schools consultation and engagement event at the Atkinson with hundreds of local schoolchildren and we were blown away by their positivity and their fascinating views on the future of town centre spaces.
“A young student at the event said they wanted this to be the kindest place in the world - which showed for us straight away that they just ‘got’ what this is all about.
“We know there is much to do still before planning approval and before the works start on site, but we remain fully committed to delivering this project as a way of saying thank you to Southport and the community for the support they have shown all of us.”
Feedback
The second stage consultation, led by Sefton Council, included a two-week public exhibition of a 3D model at The Atkinson, Q&A opportunities with staff, workshops with local schools, online engagement, leaflets to more than 1,200 homes in the town centre and stakeholder meetings with community representatives.
It followed a similarly detailed first stage consultation held in 2025 which asked residents what they wanted to see incorporated into the design.
The most recent feedback shows residents overwhelmingly support the wider ambition to create a space that is safer, more accessible, better connected and capable of hosting large scale community activities throughout the year.
Popular
Among the most popular features were plans for enhanced planting and landscaping, new places to sit and relax, a community potting shed and a dedicated space for events, performances and cultural activities.
The proposed Botanical Gardens element (outside the Town Hall entrance) alone attracted the support of more than 70% of respondents.
Plans also include the restoration and repair of the Grade II listed pavilion, including a new roof and restoration of its historic features, alongside the retention of the Grade II listed telephone kiosks, mature trees and benches.
The proposals received support across all age groups, with particularly strong backing from children and young people as well as adults up to the age of 30. Regular users of the Gardens were heavily represented, with more than half of respondents say they visit several times a week.
“That goes to show that people who actually know and value the space took the time to have their say and were very supportive,” said Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council.
“It’s lovely to see people were very supportive of the Botanical Gardens, Performance Plaza and Potting Shed, highlighting our shared enthusiasm for a greener, more vibrant and community-focused feel to the Gardens.
“Throughout this proposal the big question has been ‘what about our future generations?’ and I am pleased to see that results of this consultation show optimism about the role the Gardens can play in Southport's future.”
More than 70% of respondents said they would use the Gardens more often if the plans go ahead.
Cllr Atkinson continued: “In any consultation there is always objection and it is impossible to cater to everybody’s desires but, importantly, this consultation found significant common ground among supporters and opponents alike.
“Of course this is not the only time the Town Hall Gardens have been regenerated, with the space looking considerably different to how it did even thirty years ago.
“The new design intends to be complementary to the heritage assets nearby and to revitalise the space in an appropriate way.”
Safety has been placed at the centre of the proposals, incorporating improved lighting, natural surveillance, new planting buffers and permanent vehicle protection measures developed in consultation with specialists and Merseyside Police.
More than a third of consultation respondents said the new Gardens would feel safer and more welcoming than they do today, making it the most common response.
The proposals would deliver a significant environmental improvement to the town centre, including an increase of 28 trees alongside extensive planting designed specifically for Southport's coastal environment.
The lead architect for the project is Planit, led by Pete Swift, whose team were named last week as the winners of the 2026 Stirling Prize.
Pete said: “This is the most important project of our collective careers. It is an honour to be working closely with the families and communities of Southport, Sefton Council and the wider project sponsors to bring their ideas to life.
“The gardens you see today are not what they have always been. Like many public spaces, they are on their fourth or fifth incarnation. They have taken their lead from the past, rather than looking to the future. There is nothing wrong with that as a principal, but perhaps now is time to cast forward, further.
"Our world is changing and our towns and cities must do the same. Greener, softer, more resilient public spaces are redefining the places we live and embracing nature with a more deliberate and careful attitude is resulting in a quiet revolution.
"The proposals for STHG embrace this approach and go further than ever before to create a public space here, where children can bring their families, where the world can look to Southport for leadership in resilience and urban futures.
"We are increasing the area of greenspace nearly threefold; protecting and enhancing the statuesque trees along Lord Street and adding over thirty within the gardens."
Regenerative
"Our approach is deeply regenerative. We are striving to waste nothing. We have a detailed inventory of all the elements we are removing – from the columns and balustrades to the paving slabs and benches.
"This will form the basis of a ‘second-life strategy’ – where careful dismantling, rather than indiscriminate demolition, will give the project team the building blocks for more projects across the town.
"We have spent much of the last decade reimagining Manchester’s Albert Square and we have employed the same approach – saved materials have been incorporated into a host of projects, from the restoration of Ancoats Green to the pioneering Embassy Village homeless charity project.”
A long-term management and maintenance plan will also be secured through the planning process ensuring the Gardens remain attractive, safe and well-maintained for future generations.
Any future construction timetable remains subject to further feedback, planning approval, technical development and the necessary procurement processes.
The Southport Town Hall Gardens project is a transformative regeneration initiative that maximises the incredible potential of the public realm space between Lord Street and The Atkinson.
By undergoing a significant transformation the space, currently known as the Town Hall Gardens, will double in size to become a welcoming, accessible civic square that is also a flexible event-friendly space in the town centre. These events will range from markets to music concerts, dance festivals to Christmas activities, and will take place all year round.
The Town Hall gardens form the very centre of Southport. Throughout its existence the area has been transformed multiple times with different architecture, flora, water features, hoardings and more.
In its current form the area is showing considerable signs of wear and needs significant refurbishment, with broken paving and balustrades in visible need of repair. There are two small but vacant pavilion buildings as well as a storage unit and a disused underground space.
There is also a fountain, dedicated to Princess Diana, and a series of benches and raised beds which are tended to by the Lord Street In Bloom Volunteers.
The Town Hall gardens has been a focal point of Southport for generations and has been a natural gathering place for historic announcements, Royal visits and small-scale events, such as pop-up markets.
While the area has historic and cultural relevance, following the tragedy of July 2024, the gardens took on arguably its most significant role in its history. The space emerged as a natural place of public gathering, grief, and strength and was a visual symbol of the town’s desire to stand by all those affected. It also became a beacon of support and unity for those injured in the tragedy and images of the gardens, awash with tributes, were broadcast around the world.
It was that showing of unity and togetherness that inspired the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie to approach both Sefton Council and Central Government to see what they could do to pay tribute to everyone in the town and say ‘thank you’ for their support at what was an unimaginably difficult time.
The legacy project is a project to say ‘thank you’ to the people of Southport.
Sefton Council, as the landowner, will act as the accountable body for the project throughout its development and a Project Management Board, led by an independent chair, will oversee the delivery of it.
It is being co-designed with engagement and consultation from those directly affected by the tragedy, the local communities, businesses and cultural partners.
Specific costs will be finalised in due course but significant early-stage input has identified that the project, to be delivered to a high standard in line with the wishes of the families, would cost circa £10 million.
This funding has been confirmed and will come from three different sources. Central Government (The UK Government) has pledged £5 million while Sefton Council will give £2.5 million. In addition, £2.5 million will come from Councils in the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority including Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley, Halton and Wirral.
Once completed Sefton Council, as the landowner, will have responsibility for ongoing maintenance of the space.
We are not removing any actual protected heritage assets. Some of the ‘heritage style’ assets like balustrades and lamp columns in good condition would be removed via careful dismantling AND will be kept safe so they have the opportunity to be re-sited elsewhere in future Southport projects. Heritage England fully support this.
Having listened to public feedback the design team are also exploring the introduction of a new low-level wall at the front of the proposed Celebration Gardens to help maintain consistency with the wider character of Lord Street.
We aren’t.
The project is governed by the Project Board where any key decisions are discussed.
The project continues to be developed through an open and transparent approach, supported by consultation, ongoing stakeholder engagement, and regular communication of emerging proposals and opportunities for residents, stakeholders, and community groups to provide feedback that will help shape the final proposals.
Procurement will follow all relevant procedures in line with transparency and best value principles. The project continues to be developed through a transparent and collaborative approach, whilst delivering long-term social value through the creation of an inclusive, accessible and community-focused public space.
As Sefton Council is the accountable public body, all major milestones will be published, consulted on and subject to scrutiny. Community engagement is integral.
Yes, which allows for additional scrutiny and transparency. The project will undergo formal planning and heritage approvals, including standard public consultation. Sefton’s Planning Committee, which acts independently of Sefton Council, will determine the final scheme based on policy, public input and expert advice.
Tree retention and planting are a vital part of the early-stage strategy. While some reconfiguration may be necessary, new trees and biodiversity gains will significantly outweigh any perceived losses, resulting in the space gaining more trees than are presently in the space. The aim is for this to truly be a “gardens” project.
The new space will have better water features, 28 more trees than are already there and much more planting space for flora that compliments Southport’s coastal climate.
As part of the proposals, in order to maximise the potential space of the new gardens, consideration has been given to the fountain being removed. Both His Majesty King Charles III and Prince William have supported the proposals. A new water feature will form part of the new design.
While the current Princess Diana fountain would be removed in the regeneration, a brand new water feature with enhanced opportunities for children to play in will be part of the project.
The Princess Diana fountain is a much admired feature but the actual mechanics of the fountain repeatedly break and fail, resulting in ongoing costs to the taxpayer. We are looking at how Princess Diana’s legacy can be respectfully acknowledged in the new look Gardens.
Detailed design and public consultation has taken place through 2026. Subject to planning and heritage approvals, our aim is for site works to begin in 2027, with completion aimed for 2028.
Two in detail consultations have already taken place. Community engagement opportunities were fully publicised via Sefton Council platforms as well as local, regional and national media. Drop-ins, surveys, public consultation and engagement with schools took place, ensuring a wide range of voices shape the future of this project.
Southport Town Hall, The Atkinson and Cambridge Hall remain key civic and cultural anchors. This project strengthens their setting, use, and visibility, helping secure their long-term future as active, accessible, community-first buildings.
As previously stated this is a project led by the families who wanted to do something to thank the communities of Southport and their ongoing support of all those affected by the events of 2024.
The Town Hall gardens played a significant role at that time and, prior to that, was a space (alongside the Atkinson) much loved by Alice, Bebe and Elsie, so the area carries an incredible significance.
This is one of a number of ways Sefton Council is committed to helping everyone who was directly affected by the events of 2024 and we continue to offer significant support to all those who ask or need it.
Funding was given by Central Government, Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region specifically for this project and it cannot be spent elsewhere.
Access and mobility remain key considerations and future limited vehicle provision will be vital to ensuring this is a child friendly, family focussed space.
While wider parking and vehicle access will be reviewed to prioritise pedestrian flow and safety, appropriate provision for The Atkinson and Southport Town Hall will need to be taken into consideration.
The site will have designated drop off points and emergency vehicle access.
No. This is a legacy project designed to be a ‘Thank You’ to the people of Southport. It will be a space for play, joy, and community, inspired by the strength shown in moments of tragedy. Discussions relating to any future memorialisation elsewhere are, understandably, incredibly personal and these conversations are ongoing.
Public feedback will continue to shape the future of this project. Stakeholder engagement, planning submission, funding confirmation and enabling works will follow, with community updates at each milestone.
Southport Town Hall Gardens is inspired by the vision of creating a vibrant civic heart for Southport, where people can connect, celebrate, pause and recharge. Through a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment, the gardens will promote wellbeing, community pride and a lasting sense of belonging.