The proposed new hotel for our Promenade to be located next to the Floral Hall certainly looks impressive and is generally welcomed by the Party as another opportunity to drive up standards and further enhance our long existing classic resort.
Looking like a land-locked ocean liner with its bridge-like frontage – no doubt the architects thought that a nautical look would be complemented by its bow overlooking the Marine Lake and to the open sea beyond -  this adds to its prominent seaside setting.
Other major resort towns now have upgraded combined hotel and conference facilities that bring in a very useful annual income. So it is only fitting and proper for Southport to also join the higher league by providing such modern-day requirements.
Some of our Party’s reservations are that a little design ‘tweaking’ needs to be applied, such as avoiding having the Promenade entrance looking like the stern of a ship, but rather to be more impressive and in keeping with nearby Promenade buildings. One other problem is the lakeside outlook that would be seen from the new hotel. Currently the view takes in the ‘bins of Matalan’. This needs to be screened off and the adjacent seaward side of the lake suitably landscaped to improve the general appearance. Finally, care needs to be taken about the height of the structure and any unnecessary obstruction of the sea views from The Promenade. We have written to Sefton Council expressing our reservations