Sefton Council’s Cabinet have given their full support to the regeneration of Southport’s Town Hall gardens.
The historic space will be transformed into a family-friendly, child-orientated and safe open-air performance space as a lasting legacy and a “thank you” to the people of the town.
The regeneration project is being led by the families of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King, whose shared love of dance, music and the arts inspired a vision for a new multi-purpose and community-focused town square.
Funding for the project has already been secured thanks to a combined £10 million grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Sefton Council.
The project will now be presented to an upcoming meeting of Full Council for formal approval of the Council’s funding contribution.
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, hope and remembrance.
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.
Floral planters were installed earlier this year to bring colour and vibrancy to the area during the Spring and Summer of 2025, creating a welcoming and uplifting space for visitors and residents alike, before works commence on the space in due course.
Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: “A brand new multi-purpose space for joy, culture, and togetherness will reflect Elsie, Alice, and Bebe’s vibrancy in a beautifully positive way.
“The regeneration will create a dynamic, family-friendly stage for creativity, celebrating the love for dance and the arts that meant so much to the girls.
“This project is a thank you to the people of Southport—to everyone in the town, in Sefton and beyond who played their part, big or small, in bringing unity and hope to the town. It is incredible that the families have had this focus and vision, and we are privileged to have the opportunity to support them in fulfilling this ambition.”
The regeneration has the full backing of Sefton Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the UK Government and the Royal Family.
Public feedback will continue to shape the future of this project. An official and extensive consultation phase will launch later this year (2025). Stakeholder engagement, planning submission, funding confirmation and enabling works will follow, with community updates at each milestone.
This will give all residents and stakeholders the chance to share perspectives on the space.
More information and a full suite of Frequently Asked Questions about the project can be found via www.sefton.gov.uk/townhallgardens