The company that was going to build the "Southport Cove" has been dissolved

Go Surf Limited the company that had ambitious plans to build a surfing resort on Princes Park in Southport has been dissolved. It was to be called the Southport Cove.

The company was dissolved on the 1st November 2022.

The GSL Company have released a statement.

It’s deeply frustrating when a story appears in the news which may fuel unnecessary and unwelcome speculation. One such story appeared just yesterday about the company behind our project apparently being made dissolved (Go Surf). Unfortunately, as this story was bereft of any other details it was terribly misleading.

We therefore felt the need to put that right. In April this year, work on The Cove Resort transitioned from Go Surf Limited to GSL Developments Limited. The name Go Surf was dropped from that moment. The company name and identity for GSL were chosen solely to reflect a broader range of leisure activities in addition to surfing. This was in line with our wider business strategy.

This very simple change in no way affects the plans for The Cove Resort as may have been inferred from the news story. We are very pleased with the progress that both Sefton Council and ourselves continue to make on this project, and we hope to have our own exciting news announcement soon.

Back in October 2020 Sefton Council and Go Surf released the following statement.

Sefton Council has entered into an exclusivity agreement with Go Surf to create Southport Cove Resort, the development of an exciting, new, all year-round attraction with a world class surf wave pool at its heart.

Situated on the seafront, this spectacular project will also include water-based wellness and spa facilities, 4-star accommodation, casual dining (restaurant & cafés), and indoor leisure facilities.

A stunning 250m long beach coupled with a 360-degree boardwalk and planted gardens will mean that visitors can take in the pool’s surrounding landscape, for water users and non-water users alike.

Using the next generation of surf pool technology Southport Cove will make waves that can reach over 2 meters for accomplished surfers, to just 0.5 meters for those who prefer ‘fun’ waves.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “Many people will remember that in 1989 the much-loved open-air swimming bath on the seafront next to Princes Park closed its doors to the public for the very last time.

“When we were doing the consultation around the Southport Town Deal it was clear that many people still had memories of the Lido in Southport. This project will, in many ways, bring back a viable facility with all year-round broad visitor appeal, and strike a balance between the memory of this well-loved former attraction and a new, modern, family-oriented offer that will be unique to the region.”

Creating up to 120 new jobs and bringing more than £20 million per annum to the local economy with an expected 150,000 client visits a year, Southport Cove will complement the other exciting opportunities emerging in the town, as part of the Southport Town Deal and beyond. The £40 million project aligns well with Sefton Council’s vision for Southport’s visitor economy, increasing the number of reasons to visit and to stay, all year round.

The founders of Go Surf said: “Southport’s location and existing facilities lend themselves perfectly to the town becoming a true haven for water sports, indoor and outdoor attractions, and wellness. The town benefits greatly from the successful integration of its town centre, marine lake and seafront.

“We’re taking a world class surf pool and building a resort around it that’s far more than just a place for catching waves, something that all visitors and members can enjoy on any given day of the year.

“Our aim is to create a perfect environment where people meet with friends and family, be it to lounge on the beach or in the gardens, catch some waves, relax in the spa, or just grab a coffee and a bite to eat.

“It’s a real privilege to have this opportunity to do something great for our hometown, we are thrilled to be bringing our unique brand of water-based sport to Southport.

“See you down at Southport Cove soon.’’