Despite having a theme park, a beach, a pier and a high street, one North West seaside town has been dubbed the 14th worst in the UK.
In a scathing article published on its website, The Telegraph ranked Southport as the 14th worst seaside town in the country – saying it needs to “reassert itself” if it wants to challenge nearby Formby and Lytham.
Southport may have seen what some claim as a managed decline heading into the Covid-19 pandemic, but following spells of lockdowns, staycations and trips across the country are popular again.
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People living in Southport see the pros and cons of the town, whether that be the bustling nightlife or empty units that plague Lord Street, but many disagreed with the brutal ranking from the national title.
Steve Jones, who works at The King's Plaice fish and chip shop on Lord Street told the Liverpool Echo as the sun draped into the relatively new addition to the high street: "I've lived in Southport for nine years.
“The front has been massively improved and there building that multi-million-pound complex, it's a pity that Lord Street isn't what it used to be.
"As it comes to one of the worst in the country, I wouldn't say that, it's a pleasure to live here, I love it here. Give me Southport over Blackpool any day.
"I used to live eight miles away from there. It's a shame all the shops are closing in the town. The rent and rates are too high and that's why I think a lot of businesses have to leave."
Although Chapel Street has seen better times, businesses such as the Tavern and the Houghton Coffee Lounge and Bar have ploughed money into creating a livelier atmosphere near the busy train station that connects to Liverpool, Manchester and Wigan.
When asked about Chapel Street, Steve, 56, said: "It's bustling. It's absolutely bustling. The only complaint I have with Chapel Street is the slippery pavement. But you've got everything you need there, some of the bigger shops have left, like HMV, but you have everything you need.
"Everyone makes their way to Chapel Street and the banks are round the corner on London Street as well. It makes sense. I think they're being harsh. Like everywhere, a lot more could be done but no, I don't have a problem with Southport at all.
"The summer months here are amazing, especially with Marine Lake, you don't that in many other places."
Despite Steve's positive outlook, Kirsty Wills, 29, who works at Hoghton Coffee Lounge and Bar on Hoghton Street, told the ECHO: "It's not surprising to me at all. A lot of shops have gone.
"I used to work in a cafe on Lord Street about years ago and you can tell it's different. Nothing is here at all, the beach isn't a beach. There's nothing there, it's just grass. It's a constant battle, we never know what you're going to get in Southport.
"We're lucky we have a lot of regulars. The town itself is a really nice place to live, it's quiet and it has everything you need on your doorstep, it just needs a boost. It needs more shops.
"Lord Street used to be beautiful. It's gone to wrack and ruin. A lot of people are just going to different towns that have everything. There's literally nothing on Chapel Street now, just a few shops. There's a lot of kids hanging round there. It's not as nice as it used to be.
"I wouldn't say Southport is the worst in the country, it just needs more going on. There's nothing here to give people a real reason to come. It's bleak."
The recent opening of Waterstones close to the train station shows there is still business interest in the area and the recent investment across the town from the Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group has breathed life into the crumbling Grand Casino by opening The Grand.
Despite the renewed optimism that these businesses bring, on the other side of Chapel Street Poundland has closed its doors for the final time as well as German Doner Kebab pulling its plans to open a branch in the former McDonald's building on the corner of Eastbank Street and King Street.
Steve Churchman spoke to the ECHO while waiting for his wife, Liz, outside Marks and Spencer on Chapel Street. He said: "I don't think it's too bad really. I can't really compare it to any other towns. I think it's quite nice it just needs tidying up."
Steve moved to Southport from Preston 26 years ago with Liz, who is originally from the town. "It's very good it just needs a good clean. Lord Street is very nice. I do think the money they're using to build the new events centre is a waste of money though. The money could be better spent elsewhere. One that's a main gripe for us is that there's no beach. If you look to the right of the pier there's no beach. It's ridiculous. 20 years ago there was a beach there," Steve said.
In a surprising twist to the critical ranking, it was also claimed that Southport "needs to reassert itself if it wants to challenge Formby". Formby has built a name for itself with the National Trust conserving the beautiful pinewoods and having golden dunes that attract thousands every year.
Although Southport may lack a golden beach in parts, comparisons to the town eight miles down the road were deemed unfair by those in the most northern parts of Merseyside.
Steve Jones added: "I don't understand [the comparison with Formby]. Formby is nice but it's nothing special. They have a lovely beach and the squirrel reserve but it's a lot of old shops and cafes. I don't understand that comparison, Formby is just a small place and not a lot like Southport."
There's no hiding that Southport is perfect, the pier is still shut and has been for a number of months, with little hope it will be reopened for the busier summer months. The town has also seen the closure of Southport Theatre and Convention Centre and Bliss Hotel listed for sale following administration.
Despite closures hitting the town, Sefton Council has outlined a number of initiatives being introduced across the centre. One that has already been introduced is the refurbishment of Southport Market, with an emphasis on providing hospitality away from the traditional sense.
Last year alone, the first full year of the reopened food market, 437,000 meals and drinks were sold in what was described as a "jaw-dropping" opening year for Sefton Council. Hope is on the horizon with the building starting for the Marine Lake Events Centre and the introduction of the Enterprise Arcade to help small businesses in the town.
Southport was once the jewel of the northwest and is far from one of the worst coastal towns in the country.
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