Pop superstar Marc Almond comes home to Southport

Honoured to be a Patron of Southport’s only real remaining Theatre The Little Theatre . Built in 1936 opened in 1937 it’s always been and still is a home to Southport’s drama club . It doesn’t get a grant so relies on outside support .

Thank you to the staff I met today that let me in so I could take some photos . Like so many Theatres The Little Theatre has found it hard though these Covid years and the popular Panto is under threat this year if there are more restrictions.

It’s good to see some of the green shoots of a regeneration are starting to show in Southport and there are various plans underfoot to upgrade parts of the town. About time.

Lord St is one of the grandest thoroughfares in the North of England , the Champs Elysee of the North . Not such a fantasy as rumours are that some of the Paris Boulevard was inspired by Southport as was Princes St in Edinburgh. Above the glass verandas lining the whole St are some lovely buildings even though the shops are not as Grand (shall we say) as they used to be .

 When I was a kid it was posh cafes like Matti and Tissot where old Ladies in Minks met for coffee or grand department stores like Broadbents . Beautiful Glass arcades now looking a bit sad with shops piled with Bric a Brack , low level antiques , collectibles and general tat. Nothing wrong with second hand collectibles but these Arcades are ready to be regenerated with decent unique stores and restaurants and cafes , perfect for outdoor eating.

Southport may have lost some of its sandy beach but now boasts fantastic nature walks and Ainsdale and a little further afield Formby has good beaches . The beautiful village of Churchtown is nearby too.

Under Neville St is a buried hidden Victorian . Street . Be great to open it up. Southport should be the Norths Brighton a haven for creatives and Artists .

Visit Southport when next up North , enjoy its walks, afternoon tea in the Westminster and a visit to the Theatre. There are good hotels like @thevincent.southport but it would be great to see the grandest Hotel The Prince of Wales in loving caring hands again and not what it’s sadly become