Plans to invest in the former Sands Pub in Ainsdale Southport

Sefton Council is set to offer local and national companies the opportunity to invest in the former Sands Pub building in Ainsdale.

Located at the gateway to the hugely popular Ainsdale Beach and dune-scape on Sefton’s stunning Natural Coast, the Council-owned property has been identified as a key site for potential regeneration.

Ainsdale Beach is recognised as one of the premier beaches in the UK for extreme kite activities. There are zones set aside for kite buggy and land-board use and kitesurfing takes place on the sea.

The beach has been awarded International Blue Flag status on several occasions, as well as also receiving multiple Keep Britain Tidy's Quality Coast Awards, indicating the standards of beach management are among the highest in the UK.

Sefton Council continues to heavily invest in regenerating the area around Ainsdale-On-Sea.

Last year saw the incredible Sand Lizard mural created a Toad Hall by Paul Curtis and trials of new of food & drink outlets.

New toilet facilities and more off-beach parking are also being developed.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, said: “For many, the Sands Pub building is the first sight they see when visiting our beautiful coastline and the building was once synonymous with Ainsdale’s history prior to its closure years ago.

“The site is ripe for regeneration and has incredible potential and we know from stringent market testing over the past year that there is wide scale interest from local and national organisations, keen to invest in it.

“We will now work with agents Fitton Estates and Savills with the goal of creating suitably impressive welcome to this visitor hotspot popular point on Sefton’s glorious 22-mile coastline.”

The decision to place The Sands building on the market follows high levels of public support for more investment in the Ainsdale beach area

Regeneration of the Sands site will complement other projects in the town  including the Marine Lake Events Centre, the Enterprise Hub and the ongoing successes of the new Southport Market.

A decision on the how the redevelopment of the former Sand pub site may be progressed is expected to be made later this year.