Southport Market was once a bustling building filled to the brim with independent stallholders who made their money through passing trade.
However, by the time the Covid-19 pandemic rolled around, the market was home to just a handful of stalls and Sefton Council decided to take action. At first, there was a sense of deja vu, with the local authority already taking action just eight years before when it refurbished the vast town centre building.
But, much to the council's surprise, high rent and falling footfall meant the traditional market was unsustainable. Market stallholders were issued their notice and moved on. Now, the market is a colourful, noisy eatery, home to a number of different businesses that serve thousands of meals a year.
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Despite the positive outlook, and millions being earmarked to further improve the area, business owners surrounding the market remain sceptical about whether the area can truly thrive like it once did 40 years ago.
Bernadette Moran who was forced to move when the market was redesigned said: "I'm 58 and I was in the market since I was 11. There were only six stalls left. They have [food markets in Liverpool] and the council don't want a proper market.
"Me leaving the market ruined my business, not covid. They make out they help everyone on the street but they don't. I've tried to be as close to the market as possible but it hasn't worked.
"People still come here and are shocked we're here because they just didn't know. I always said to people I would be as close to the market as possible. We can't be closer.
"I don't know what it's like for others on the street but I'm paying rent out of my own pocket."
Although the independent business owner was keen to stress her unhappiness wasn't with Sefton Council, it lies with the unsustainability of not being in the market. She is now set to close her shop in June when her tenancy ends. She will have to relocate in the hope of attracting more customers.
The owner of Bernadette's on Market Street continued: "We will lose those little shops if people don't start coming. I see more people from out of town than I do people from Southport."
The story is one heard up and down the country, but Seton Council is rolling out its Les Transformations project, funded by the Town Deal which sees money filtered into towns across the country from the local government. It will see the pedestrianisation of Market Street, the road that runs alongside Southport Market.
It will also see part of King Street become one-way and the speed limit on Eastbank Street drop from 30mph to 20mph. Despite the imaginative plans, business owners aren't too sure on how the changes will benefit the area.
David Addison of Vanilla Nova Cake Boutique said: "There's the pedestrianisation on this road. I don't see what good that will do. If I'm being honest there are a lot of pros but I think people on a whole are against it.
"There's going to be a window of opportunity with the bollards and cars being able to come down here. I have cakes to bring in and customers who need to collect them.
"There's a worry. It's one of those things. I'm all for things getting better, I can't see what it brings though. People who come to us, they're just coming to us, rarely do people go in the market and actually think about coming down here."
The building has been used as a cake shop for decades, with David taking it over from the previous owner five years ago. Although he is now wondering whether he can continue to operate the way he has done for years.
Since he moved onto Market Street from Bold Street, he recalled one significant impact the new market had. He added: " Until I see what things happen I can't react to it. It's just very quiet at the moment. We sell a lot of wedding cakes but if it wasn't that I wouldn't be here.
"It's sad because this shop has been a cake shop for so long. We might have to go if things don't pick up."
Another aspect of investment coming to the town centre is the introduction of the Enterprise Arcade. Forming part of the Southport Town Deal, £1.5 million has been earmarked for the regeneration and transformation of Crown Buildings.
The end goal is to create a 15,000sq ft hub for individuals, freelancers, enterprises, and independent professionals who are taking their first steps into setting up their own businesses. Cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Marion Atkinson, told the ECHO in 2021 this is a "key project" for the regeneration of Southport.
Cllr Atkinson said: "The Enterprise Arcade will incorporate Crown Buildings, vacant retail units on the ground floor of Eastbank Street and adjoining office space above. Nationally we are seeing a move away from traditional working environments and more and more people are embracing flexible and hybrid work opportunities.
"Our Enterprise Arcade will be the ideal location for a whole host of start-up and growing businesses and individuals, whether they be in the early incubator stages of developing their brand or simply in need of flexibility and an agile approach to their working practices."
Optimism in the funding is also shared by Michelle Caswell, the owner of Season. The café, bar and restaurant opened its doors around 18 months ago and the former teacher hasn't looked back.
She told the ECHO: "I think with the pedestrianisation of the street it will change the area so much and make it nicer. We will get more road space as well with it being one way outside the cafe. I think it will be nicer in the summer.
"Business has been really good since we opened. Southport Market was the reason we picked this shop. When we found out about the market we chose this shop. Originally we were looking at Birkdale Village or Ainsdale Village but because of the market we thought it would bring a lot of people here."
The 44-year-old also revealed what she thinks businesses have to do to survive in the current climate. With the likes of Poundland leaving a shop vacant on Eastbank Street and German Doner Kebab pulling its plans to fill the former McDonald's building on the corner of Eastbank Street and King Street, there is a sense of mixed messages in the area.
"You have to adapt," Michelle explained, with her also telling the ECHO she is looking at doing outdoor catering in the future as well as catering for events alongside Season. "Covid has changed it all.
"We try to support local businesses with our products as well. I'm not expecting to make loads of money immediately. If after five years it's not working I'll change.
"You have to keep changing. I'm also looking at doing smoothies and healthy drinks. I saw a few shops on Market Street have shut but they only sell a certain type of thing. Hopefully, it will be busy for everyone's sake [after the plans are finished]."
Despite a level of uncertainty from business owners in the area, plans to transform and redesign the Market Quarter are hopeful in the eyes of the council. There is a renewed sense of optimism floating around the town, not just in the few streets around Southport Market.
A spokesperson for Seton Council said: "Detailed consultation for the Les Transformations De Southport scheme have been held throughout the development stages and we continue to speak with local businesses, visitors and residents as various stages are undertaken. Recently Sefton Council wrote to residents and businesses in the Market Street area to update them on the progress of the project's first phase, which we are working towards getting underway in the coming months.
"As previously promised, the Council will also be consulting further with businesses and other stakeholders around Market Street to identify and address any issues they may have as part of the design process. Our dedicated Southport Market team also have a positive working relationship with surrounding businesses and we continue to take on board all forms of feedback relating to future events."
Work is set to begin on the Marine Lake Events Centre which is costing upwards of £70m and is projected to see thousands more people visit the coastal town. Only time will tell how Southport Market is shaped in the coming years and whether independent businesses stand a chance of surviving.
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