Southport has unveiled an “elegantly eccentric” long-term cultural program as it seeks to lure tourists after last summer’s deadly shootings.
The city of Merseyside can be transformed into an “open air ballroom” as part of a spectacular outdoor instigation of Company Company Company Trans Express in the spring.
Other events include a specially designed light and sound installation in February in May, the Chatish FireWorks Championship, and a music festival in October.
The annual extravaganza is planned to draw back visitors and boost the city’s economy after the murder of three girls at a Taylor Swift Dance Workshop on 29 July 2024.
Marion Atkinson, the labor leader of Sefton Council, said that those affected by the attack wanted to make sure that a town that relied on summer – did not suffer as a result.
“There will always be a memory of what happened but we can’t let it explain it,” he said earlier this year.
Southeport 2026: The elegantly eccentric program was launched in a modern recreation of 1936 painting Southport for a Ventertime Mania holiday with business owners.
Patrick Hurley, the Southport MP, said: “In the north of England, Southport has always stood out for its refined vision of perfection, and it has been updated for the 2020s.
“Having been a boom in the last couple of decades, Southport is now determined to change again.
“I’m proud to support Southport 2026 and the people who make this bold, beautiful idea a reality and I’m determined to make sure Southport’s bright days go ahead.”
For more than two centuries, Southport has entertained guests as diverse as Napoleon III, Judy Garland and regular day-trippers. Victorians enjoyed coastal camel and elephant races on the town’s main drag, lord street, and street racers from the enclosed pier.
Claire McColgan CBE, the associate director of culture for Liverpool city region, said next year’s cultural program would be rooted in the “rich history” of the town”. “It was an epicenter for entertainment and fun for generations and now we want visitors from near and far to come and rediscover what this jewel on the coast has to offer,” she said.
The events will begin in February with a clean light and sound installation from international artists that will move color and creativity,” according to Sefton Council.
In April, Trans Express will launch this amazing wonder in the air, cristal palace, with a 15-meter flying chandelier, live music, aerial dance.
Next month will see the city’s host in action, including Circa and Gandini juggling, before the summer of festovals and drinking festovals, the flower festivals in the air and the British Musical Fireworks Championship.
After October the program will return to reading a “reipagagulo literature festival” for families and young readers. Southport will be packed with storytelling installations, live performance and author-led performances for the half term holiday.