Popular Southport water-based attraction Splash World will now not reopen until 2023 due to ‘unforeseen challenges’ in the refurbishment project. Tony McDonough reports

Splash World will remain closed until 2023 with the refurbishment of the popular Southport attraction hampered by “industry-wide supply chain issues”.

In December 2019 the water-based indoor attraction closed for a revamp. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the work and the reopening. Work resumed in summer 2021 and it was expected to reopen in autumn 2022.

Now Sefton Council, which owns the facility, says difficulties procuring labour resources and additional materials was hampering the project. It says this is a problem across the construction sector.

In June the council approved a further £270,000 towards the cost of the refurbishment. A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Despite a range of nationwide challenges beyond our control, we are making progress on completing the works and welcoming visitors back to Splash World but unfortunately not as quickly as hoped.

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“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our thanks to our various teams and contractors, who have been doing their best in difficult conditions to carry out these essential refurbishments works.

“And we would also like to thank local residents and the many thousands of people who enjoy Splash World for their patience while this work is carried out and to assure them that we are working to get the centre open as soon as possible for them.”

Opened in 2009, Splash World usually welcomes thousands of families from across the North West of England each year. Features include fast flumes and river rides, a relaxing bubble spa and toddler area and a water play area

An announcement about the official re-opening date of Splash World will be made in due course.