Residents back restoration of vital Victorian landmark

THE Government has announced its ambition to launch a new fund which could see the restoration and reopening of Southport Pier.

- BY ANDREW BROWN

Speaking in Parliament, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged that the Government will establish a Growth Mission Fund to 'expedite local projects that are important for growth but have been forgotten,' such as Southport Pier, Kirkcaldy's seafront and High Street, and a new sports quarter in Peterborough.

Addressing the House, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said: “We will establish a growth mission fund to expedite local projects that are important for growth projects, projects like Southport Pier, an iconic symbol of coastal heritage, which has stood empty since 2022, where investment would create jobs and new business opportunities.”

Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “The condition and closure of the pier has been a huge source of concern for everyone in Southport over the last two and a half years and the whole community shares the desire for the pier to be reopened.

“That is why I am thrilled to tell you that we now have government backing for the restoration of Southport Pier thanks to the Growth Mission Fund announced in Labour's Spending Review.

“It is exciting and by the end of the summer, we will have specific, concrete, practical proposals, along with timescales and dedicated amounts of funding from central Government that will allow the pier to reopen, and we'll make sure that Southport gets its groove back.”

Cllr Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, said: “We welcome the Chancellor referencing Southport Pier as part of the spending review.

“As a council we have said we are ready to go as soon as funding is secured and we look forward to finding out more detail about the Growth Mission Fund in due course.”

The funding boost came as the Chancellor unveiled a Spending Review to deliver Britain's renewal, with record investment in the country's security, health and economy.