Huge 130 year old map on display as part of special Southport exhibit

From golden sandhills to a bustling and busy seaside town – Southport has a rich and ever changing history.

That’s the theme of a new exhibition created by the Southport Townscape Heritage Project, which runs at The Atkinson from Saturday, June 18th through to September 2022.

‘Built on Sand – 200 years of Southport’s changing street scene’ highlights how key town centre streets like Nevill Street and the Promenade have evolved over two centuries to meet the needs of residents and visitors.

The exhibition also puts the spotlight on how our shopping and leisure habits have had an impact on our streets.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore a giant floor map of Southport 130 years ago, discover how the streets got their names, and see how artists and photographers have shown the town over two centuries.

Activities will also run throughout the summer, which include family workshops and guided walks. Furthermore there will a number of opportunities for people to look more closely at Southport’s startlingly varied buildings by sketching, taking photographs and sharing memories.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Planning, said “Southport’s character is all about its streets and buildings and this exhibition reminds us to look at them properly and appreciate the wonderful heritage that surrounds us.

“Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Southport Townscape Heritage Project is providing to grants to help owners preserve the historic features of their buildings and give them a new economic future”.

Southport Townscape Heritage Project is a regeneration and community project to bring new life to historic buildings on Southport’s streets, and to inspire local people and visitors to discover the town’s heritage. It was awarded £1.6m by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in September 2019.

David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Investing in heritage means investing in the community it belongs to, which is why we are proud to support Southport Townscape Heritage Project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. The project is not only preserving the town’s important heritage to be enjoyed by locals and visitors from further afield, but will also play a significant role in boosting the local economy and aiding its wider regeneration. We’re also thrilled to see the exhibition and activities taking place over the summer that will allow the community to explore and discover the fascinating heritage and history that sits on their doorsteps.”