The £73m Marine Lake Events Centre is one of the region’s biggest regeneration projects
Marine Lake Events Centre demolition site during the start of demolition works(Image: Sefton Council)
One of the region’s biggest and mostly costly regeneration projects is still on track, according to Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson. The leader responded to recent suggestions the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) development is in “jeopardy”.
Cllr Atkinson was speaking at a council cabinet meeting this morning (October 2) where elected members were presented with a report into the progress of the MLEC.
Last week, the Liverpool ECHO reported on the withdrawal of the local authority’s preferred development partner, Graham Construction who had already signed a Pre-Construction Service Agreement (PCSA). It is the second time a construction agreement has been terminated after the council ended the PCSA it had with Kier Group.
This prompted Liberal Democrat councillor John Pugh to call for a Gateway Review of Sefton Council’s “troubled” Southport Conference Centre project. Cllr Pugh said the council has “unavoidably serious choices to make’” as to how best to use taxpayers money and how much of it to ask for.
Marine Lake Events Centre demolition site during the start of demolition works(Image: Sefton Council)
In a presentation to cabinet at Bootle Town Hall today, the member for regeneration, economy and skills, Cllr Paulette Lappin said she has been working closely with Cllr Atkinson on the progress of the MLEC project and gave an update on future plans.
Cllr Lappin said the withdrawal of Graham Construction was a result of the council prioritising best value for the ‘public purse’ and said the rising costs associated with MLEC – particularly relating to construction – were mirrored by other regenerations projects across the country.
Addressing the recommendations in the council report, Cllr Lappin added: “We are wholly committed to delivering the scheme and the Council will provide the capital required to bridge the gap once that number is finalised, but our focus must remain on robust commercial negotiation to secure the right partner to deliver the project for the right price and against the right programme.
“I am pleased to see continued operator confidence in the project, and the increased revenue that an enhanced business plan will deliver will help the Council to bridge the gap referred to. This reflects the sustained confidence in the MLEC project, in Southport and in Sefton, of one of the world’s leading and largest venue operators.
“We are also pleased to have support from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government with management of funding timescales in a manner that enables us to secure best value, and that reflects their sustained confidence in our ability to deliver this exciting project.
An artist’s impression of the new Marine lake Events Centre in Southport.(Image: InYourArea)
“Aspects of this ongoing process are, and will be, commercially sensitive and therefore confidential, but we remain committed to sharing updates as completely as we can, and as early as we can, and I therefore welcome this comprehensive project update.”
The local authority confirmed work will continue on site in the interim period following completion of demolition, and said it aims to secure a main contractor to start on site during the Spring of 2026. The council maintains that the economic case for MLEC is still “incredibly robust” and expects to bring hundreds of thousands of new visitors to the town each year.
Cllr Lappin added: “[MLEC] will generate more than £19m per annum for our economy, and will generate hundreds of new jobs during both the construction and operational phases of the project.
“MLEC sits alongside projects such as the Enterprise Arcade, the public realm enhancements undertaken and proposed across town, the forthcoming works at Southport Pier and on the Southport town square and gardens, as well as a range of private-sector led investment and development across the town.
“[…] These are exciting times for Southport and for Sefton, and while major construction will inevitably bring challenges and complexities, we are confident in our ability to manage these as effectively as possible to secure best value and the best outcomes for the Council and its residents.”
Responding to the presentation, Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “Hopefully that puts to bed any headlines about things being in jeopardy and us not committing to this massively important regeneration scheme within our borough. hopefully that stops those wrong headlines.”