Reeves confirms £20m funding to repair Southport Pier
The funding was trailed during the Spending Review and will come from the government’s £240m Growth Mission Fund.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed Sefton Council will get £20m to pay for repair work at Southport Pier, which has been closed since 2022 amid safety fears.
The council has since then struggled to find a way to deliver the work needed to see the pier reopened, which has drawn criticism from some quarters.
The £20m funding for the pier is a welcome boost for Southport, which has endured a testing time of late following the high-profile murders of three young girls in the summer of 2024, which led to riots, and struggles getting the Marine Lake Events and Convention Centre off the ground.
Reeves made the announcement on a visit to Southport ahead of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, which began on Sunday.
Housing secretary Steve Reed unveiled the list of the 12 locations for the government’s new towns programme on the first day of the conference, which saw a joint bid by Liverpool City Council and Sefton Council miss the cut.
Waiting for this to be rebadged as Northern Powerhouse Rail.
By Anonymous
This should be brilliant news but is tempered by the two words Sefton Council. Interesting to see that a report 2 years ago estimated the cost to repair at £13m and now a 50% increase is being offered… What’s the chances that the quotes that come back from contractors is £20m+. Sefton can’t find a contractor for the new events centre and I have little hope in walking down our pier anytime soon.
By G McCain
Trying to buy Southport of eh….. Suddenly.. when the country is on its knees, the elderly are choosing heat or eat, schools, hospitals the economy, housing demands (*note – I do not say shortage) are a disaster… there’s money for the pier.. am I being too sceptical?
By Anonymous
Anonymous 4.20pm, I don’t know about being too sceptical but you are certainly being miserable and shortsighted. This is really good news for the businesses of Southport who rely on tourist. A rejuvenated pier will attract more visitors and help Southport businesses and create jobs for the people of the town.
By Anonymous
Cool
By Wiw
Amazing,we have children and families living in damp housing with beds and furniture full of mould no support, no funding.but we can find 20million so middle class and upper-class can have a lovely walk along a pier when the sun shines,absolutely brain dead all of em!!
By C Hutchinson
…but money can be spent on the pier? You’re obviously not from Southport or you’d know your comment was not only short sighted but totally and utter out of line..
By ME FROM SOUTHPORT