History of Southport in Timeline
Southport is a coastal town located in Merseyside, England, specifically within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton. As of the 2021 census, the town had a population of 94,421, ranking it as the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England.
1901: Southport Central Station Closure
In 1901, the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&Y), seeking to streamline operations, completed a significant restructuring of the railway lines approaching Southport Central Station. This allowed trains to be diverted to the Manchester to Southport line and into Southport Chapel Street Station. As a result, Southport Central was closed to passenger services and repurposed as a goods depot, eventually merging with the Chapel Street depot.
1904: Southport Journal Begins Circulation
The Southport Journal, a local newspaper, commenced publication in 1904.
1905: County Borough Status
Having reached the required population threshold, Southport became an independent county borough in 1905, separating from the administrative control of Lancashire.
1905: Southport F.C. Begins Playing at Haig Avenue
In 1905, Southport F.C. began playing their home matches at Haig Avenue, Blowick ground.
1911: Population Growth
The 1911 census revealed Southport's population to be 51,643, surpassing the 50,000 benchmark needed for independent county borough status.
1912: Incorporation of Birkdale
Birkdale and Ainsdale, having previously been governed by Birkdale Urban District Council, were incorporated into the county borough of Southport in 1912, significantly expanding the town's size.
1912: Pleasureland Established
The iconic Pleasureland fairground, a cherished Southport attraction, was first established in 1912.
1912: Birkdale's Incorporation
The year 1912 saw the inclusion of Birkdale Urban District, encompassing the parishes of Birkdale and Ainsdale, into Southport.
1914: Wartime Romance
In 1914, during World War I, a brief romance unfolded between a soldier from Southport and a French woman in Valenciennes, as documented in Andrée Ducatez's journal.
1921: Southport F.C. Joins The Football League
Southport F.C. joined The Football League in 1921 and became a founding member of the Third Division North.
1925: Henry Segrave Sets Land Speed Record
In 1925, Henry Segrave achieved a new world land speed record of 152.33 mph while driving a Sunbeam Tiger on Southport's beach.
1925: RNLI Departure
The RNLI closed its station in Southport in 1925, leaving the town without a lifeboat.
March 1926: Land Speed Record
Henry Segrave achieved a new land speed record in March 1926, driving his Sunbeam Tiger Ladybird at 152.33 mph on Southport's sands. This record was short-lived, surpassed by J.G. Parry-Thomas just a month later.
1926: King George V Grammar School for Boys Founded
King George V Grammar School for Boys, later replaced by King George V Sixth Form College, was founded in 1926.
September 1929: Kew Speedway Proposal Halted
A planned speedway meeting at Kew Speedway in Southport was stopped in September 1929 due to intervention from the Auto Cycle Union (ACU). The reason for the intervention is unknown.
1932: Southport Journal Ends Publication
The Southport Journal, after 28 years in circulation, ceased publication in 1932.
1953: Southport Guardian Ceases Publication
The Southport Guardian, a local newspaper, ceased publication in 1953, marking the end of an era for the publication.
1954: Royal Birkdale's First Men's Open Championship
Royal Birkdale Golf Club hosted its inaugural men's Open Championship in 1954, cementing its place in golfing history.
1965: Chewit Production Begins
Chewits, a popular brand of chewy candy, began its production in Southport in 1965.
February 1971: Lobbying for Merseyside Inclusion
In February 1971, the UK government proposed a Local Government White Paper that would strip Southport of its county borough status. In response, Southport Corporation advocated for the town's inclusion in the newly planned metropolitan county of Merseyside, aiming to merge with Bootle and other areas to retain its autonomy in education and social services.
1978: Southport F.C. Voted Out of Football League
In 1978, Southport F.C. was voted out of the Football League after finishing in 23rd place for three consecutive seasons. They were replaced by Wigan Athletic.
1979: King George V Sixth Form College Established
King George V Sixth Form College, offering both A-Level and BTEC qualifications, first opened its doors in 1979, replacing the former King George V Grammar School for Boys on the same site.
1980: Proposed Realignment
A Private Member's Bill in 1980 proposed detaching Southport from Sefton and returning it to Lancashire, while renaming the remainder of Sefton as the Metropolitan Borough of Bootle.
1983: Southport Back in Lancashire Party
Kevin Laroux Wood, a Southport native, campaigned in the 1983 general election under the banner of the "Southport Back in Lancashire Party." Despite not winning, the campaign highlighted the ongoing local sentiment for Southport's return to Lancashire.
1985: Looping Star Roller Coaster Debuts
The Looping Star roller coaster, featured in the music video for Black's "Wonderful Life", thrilled riders at Pleasureland from its installation in 1985.
1986: Automatic Relegation Introduced
Automatic relegation from the Fourth Division of the Football League was introduced in the 1986-1987 season.
1987: Automatic Relegation Introduced
Automatic relegation from the Fourth Division of the Football League was introduced in the 1986-1987 season.
1987: Boundary Review
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBC) initiated a review of the area in 1987, receiving significant public feedback, including a large number of form letters advocating for Southport's return to Lancashire.
1987: Looping Star Roller Coaster Removed
The Looping Star roller coaster was removed from Pleasureland in 1987, just two years after its debut.
1990: LGBC Recommendations
In 1990, the LGBC put forth the suggestion of incorporating Southport, Ainsdale, and Birkdale back into Lancashire as a separate district.
1991: Final Recommendations
By 1991, the LGBC acknowledged a more divided public opinion than initially perceived and noted the weaker eastward transport connections with Lancashire compared to southward links to Liverpool, ultimately leading to maintaining the existing administrative structure.
May 1996: Southport Model Railway Village Opens
Created by Ray and Jean Jones, the Southport Model Railway Village welcomed visitors for the first time in May 1996 and continues to be a popular attraction run by the Jones family.
December 1996: Renewed Boundary Review
The government once again instructed the Local Government Commission for England to conduct a boundary review in December 1996, focusing on the area after the completion of unitary authority implementations.
January 1997: Review Commences
The boundary review officially began in January 1997, limited by the commission's legal constraints on altering the existing Sefton-West Lancashire boundary.
February 1997: New Sea Defenses
Construction of new sea defenses to protect Southport from flooding commenced in February 1997.
2001: Population Demographics
The 2001 UK Census recorded Southport's population as 90,336. It also revealed that 96% of residents declared being born in the UK.
2002: Rise of the Southport Party
A local political party, the Southport Party, emerged in 2002, advocating for Southport's separation from Sefton. They secured three council seats in the 2002 local elections, including that of the Sefton Council leader, but saw a decline in votes in subsequent elections.
2002: Sea Defense Completion
The extensive sea defense project in Southport, aimed at mitigating flooding risks, reached completion in 2002.
2002: Tower Dene School Closure
Tower Dene, another independent school in Southport, met a similar fate in 2002, closing due to a lack of pupils. One of the Victorian buildings that housed the school was later converted into apartments, while the other is now a nursery.
May 2004: Marine Way Bridge Opens
The Marine Way Bridge, connecting the bustling Lord Street shopping area with the newly developed seafront, was officially opened in May 2004. The impressive 150-foot high structure is estimated to have cost approximately £5 million.
2004: Boundary Review Possibility
As of 2004, no further actions have been taken to modify Sefton's boundaries, although the Boundary Commission hinted at the possibility of a future review.
2004: Status Quo Maintained
In 2004, the commission decided to retain Southport's existing administrative status, citing its relatively small population for an independent unitary authority, even when considering the inclusion of Formby, and concerns about the viability of a South Sefton authority without Southport.
2004: Southport Party's Setback
The 2004 local elections marked a setback for the Southport Party, with one councillor stepping down and the remaining two losing their seats.
September 2006: Pleasureland Closes its Doors
Pleasureland, a beloved fairground owned by the Thompson family and a staple of Southport since 1912, closed down in September 2006.
2006: Chewit Production Relocates
After operating in Southport for several decades, Chewits closed its manufacturing facility and moved production to Slovakia in 2006.
2006: 40th Anniversary of Southport 24 Hour Race
The Southport 24 Hour Race, an endurance sailing event organized by the West Lancashire Yacht Club, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2006.
June 2007: Splash World Opens
Splash World, an indoor water park connected to the Dunes swimming pool, opened its doors to the public in June 2007, adding to Southport's attractions.
July 2007: New Pleasureland Opens
A new fairground, temporarily named New Pleasureland, opened its gates on the former site of Pleasureland in July 2007.
June 2008: Southport Named Cycling Town
Southport was selected as one of 11 cycling towns in June 2008 by Cycling England. This initiative aimed to promote cycling for leisure, tourism, and commuting, receiving a share of £47 million in government funding.
April 2009: Fire Destroys The River Caves at New Pleasureland
Tragedy struck New Pleasureland in April 2009 when a devastating fire, later attributed to arson, completely destroyed The River Caves, the oldest attraction in the park. A 16-year-old boy was apprehended in connection with the incident.
2009: Southport F.C. Wins Conference North
Southport F.C. won the Conference North league title in the 2009-2010 season.
2010: Royal Birkdale Welcomes Women's Open Championship
Royal Birkdale Golf Club hosted the women's Open Championship in 2010, showcasing its reputation as a premier golfing destination.
2010: Southport F.C. Wins Conference North
Southport F.C. won the Conference North league title in the 2009-2010 season.
2010: Sunnymede School Closure
Sunnymede School, the last independent preparatory school in Southport, located on Westcliffe Road in Birkdale, closed its doors in 2010 due to a decline in student enrollment.
2011: Tourism Revival
Despite facing challenges in the mid-20th century due to the rise of affordable air travel, Southport experienced a resurgence in tourism in 2011. The town was ranked the 14th most popular coastal resort in the UK, boosted by a 23% surge in tourism spending.
2011: Southport Identified as Town Lacking Direct Motorway Link
The 2011 census revealed that Southport held the distinction of being the second largest town in Britain without a direct dual-carriageway connection to the national motorway network.
August 2012: Dune FM Closure
Dune FM, the town's commercial radio station, ceased broadcasting in August 2012, leaving a void in the local radio landscape.
2012: King George V College Enrollment Peaks
King George V College experienced peak enrollment in 2012 with 1,530 students.
2012: Meols Cop High School Featured in Ofsted Handbook
Meols Cop High School gained national recognition in 2012 when it was featured in the Ofsted School Inspections handbook as one of only six schools across the country.
2013: King George V College Achieves Top Ranking
In 2013, King George V College earned recognition as the top-performing state-funded college within an 18-mile radius.
2015: Ofsted Report Requires Improvement
King George V College faced a setback in 2015 when an Ofsted inspection deemed its performance as "Requires improvement."
February 2016: Meols Cop High School Expansion
In February 2016, Meols Cop High School, recognized as one of the top-performing schools in Sefton, underwent a construction project to expand its facilities to accommodate the growing student population.
2016: Ofsted Issues Poor Rating and Merger Proposal
In 2016, Ofsted conducted another inspection and again gave King George V College a poor rating, prompting a government report to recommend a merger with nearby Southport College. Consequently, the college's principal resigned following the report.
2016: Southport Pier Tramway Closure
The Southport Pier Tramway, which once carried passengers along the 3,600-foot pier, ceased operations in 2016. The closure was attributed to concerns about the impact of the trams' weight on the structural integrity of the pier.
2017: End of an Era
John Pugh, the Liberal Democrat MP for Southport, stepped down in 2017 after representing the constituency for 16 years.
March 2018: Liberal Democrats Hold Spring Conference
The Liberal Democrats chose Southport as the location for their federal Spring conference in March 2018.
December 2018: Mighty Radio Awarded FM License
In December 2018, Mighty Radio, Southport's community FM radio station, was awarded their FM license by OFCOM.
2020: Southport Theatre & Convention Centre Closure
A significant venue for conferences and events, the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre, closed its doors in 2020.
2021: Census
The 2021 census recorded Southport's population as 94,421, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England.
June 2022: Planning Application Submitted for Marine Lake Events Centre
In June 2022, a planning permission application was submitted for a new Marine Lake Events Centre, following the closure of the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre in 2020.
2024: Historic Political Shift
In a groundbreaking victory, Labour candidate Patrick Hurley won the 2024 general election in Southport, marking the first time a Labour candidate secured the seat since the constituency's establishment in the 1880s.
2024: Labour's Victory and Tragic Stabbing
Southport saw its first Labour MP elected in the 2024 general election. The same year, the town was also shaken by a stabbing incident involving children.
