Southport's Former Tourist Information Centre Faces Demolition

Southport used to have its own purpose built Tourist Information Centre with buses pulling up outside and meeters and greeters (town ambassadors) on hand to direct and help coach parties.

It was closed and the facilities moved inside the Atkinson Library complex. Now the building, opened proudly 30 years ago, is vacant and earmarked for demolition when the new Town Hall Gardens scheme goes ahead.

The picture above shows the Sefton Chief Executive and senior councillors in 1988 with the then tourism minister, John Lee, and MP Ronnie Fearn, who had secured the government funding for it, anticipating the opening of the new Tourist Information Centre

Cllr. John Pugh ( Liberal Democrat) believes we need to reopen the debate about whether Southport needs a proper bespoke tourist facility. “There's no doubt, " he says that, “ most top tourist towns have a fully fledged tourist information building in a prominent location. It is also the case that it is not normal behaviour for occasional visitors or coach parties to pop into the local library. 

When the original building was opened it was seen as a way in which Southport could compete in the same league as the Harrogates and Bournmenouths with a properly staffed, standalone Tourist Centre. At the time I questioned the need for a new build but I have to admit that what was built was perfectly sited and very successful. It played a major role in finding bed space in local hotels and thus boosting the local economy”

Cllr. Pugh now wants to reopen that debate. 

“Perhaps now it’s seemingly scheduled for demolition, the Council might consider the suggestion I once made to lease a vacant Lord St shop with a classic frontage and turn it into an attractive “goto” place for visitor and tourist enquiries. That would also mean, of course, one less vacant space in Lord St. The Council is not averse to opening shops having recently opened its own job opportunity shop in Cambridge Walks. 

Towns that are ambitious have to flaunt their offer and not everyone is convinced that it's best done from the confines of the local library.”