Taking a lead from the success of Baltic Market and Duke Street Market in Liverpool, the town centre venue will be turned into an all year-round attraction. Tony McDonough reports

Work starts this week on the £1.4m transformation of Southport’s Victorian market.

Taking a lead from the success of Baltic Market and Duke Street Market in Liverpool, the town centre venue will be turned into an all year-round attraction with space for up to 10 food and drinks units.

In July it was revealed Sefton Council had secured a £1m grant for the town, £900,000 of which will go towards the market project. The remaining £100,000 will be used for street lights in Lord Street.

Providing a vital to the local economy and continued regeneration of Southport’s market quarter and King Street, the market will also include units for fresh produce stalls, including the popular Blackhurst Butchers. It has been trading in the market for more than 20 years and will be moving into a new unit.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:
“I’m delighted that work on this exciting project has finally started, we know just how much of an important asset Southport Market is to the town.

“This project is a cornerstone of the Southport Town Deal, but we’ve also managed to secure additional external funding to completely transform the building, which shows real commitment from Sefton Council.

“I’m thrilled that already a number of new food and drink traders have already signed up to be a part of the new Southport Market, creating new job opportunities and business start-ups, and demonstrating a real confidence in the scheme.

“This ambitious and exciting project demonstrates the growing confidence in the Town and builds on the further good news of Southport Cove announced last week.”