A former theatre which closed down during the pandemic is set to be demolished.
The Southport Theatre and Convention Centre (STCC) is due to be demolished in March next year to make way for the new £73million Marine Lake Events Centre, which will be constructed on the same site.
Opened in 1973 the STCC went bust in May 2020, just weeks after the country went into the first covid lockdown. The company behind the STCC, Bliss Space, was forced into liquidation citing the "devastating" trading conditions caused by the pandemic with contents from the theatre auctioned off in April this year.
The Marine Lake Events Centre, is forecast to attract an estimated 515,000 visitors to Southport every year, with the aim of providing a boost to the local economy. The project also includes the UK’s first lakeside sound and light show that will be cast out into the marina.
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The centre includes a 1,500-capacity theatre as well as exhibition and conference facilities and it has been claimed it will create around 200 jobs. The project is expected to cost a total of around £73m, with £33m being secured by Sefton Council through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Towns Fund.
In a joint report to the meeting, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and The Third Sector Cllr Janette Williamson said: “The priority project is a comprehensive redevelopment of the existing Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, which has substantial technical and operational constraints, as well as being in poor physical condition, and has been closed since 2020.
“Sefton Council commissioned a feasibility study to consider the potential options for the future development of STCC. The vision of the study was: ‘to transform the STCC into a high quality, distinctive entertainment and business events venue capable of providing exceptional experiences to audiences and users. It will be an anchor for the Waterfront, retaining and attracting visitors and driving economic improvement for Southport".
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