Southport News
The latest Southport news: planning decisions, council and crime updates, business and community stories, each linked back to its official source.
Top story
Sefton House Prices Hit Record £225,433, Up 5.2% in a Year
The average Sefton home reached £225,433 in June, the highest figure since the index began in 1995. Terraced homes rose fastest at 6.7%; flats barely moved.
More stories
Formby
Formby Hall Hosts Golf Tourism England Convention, July 2027
Golf Tourism England's 2027 convention runs 25 to 27 July at Formby Hall, ten years after the first one was held there. A pre-event trip to Royal Birkdale and Hillside is planned.
Jobs
Sefton Claimant Count July 2026: 6,295, Under-25s Rise
Under-25s make up 1,340 of Sefton's 6,295 claimants, the highest July figure since 2021. The 25 to 49 group fell again. All seven Southport wards.
Business
Sefton Visitor Economy Hits £716.9m but Tourism Jobs Fall
Sefton's visitor economy grew 5% to £716.9m in 2025 on 7.79m visits, but tourism jobs slipped again to 6,160 and visitor numbers are still below 2023.
Schools
Southport Ofsted 2026: Every Grade for 7 Local Schools
Birkdale High scored Strong standard in four of six areas. Educ8 Southport needs urgent improvement. Every 2026 Ofsted grade for seven local schools.
Business
Sir Henry Segrave Southport: Wetherspoon Plans Hotel Use
Wetherspoon will run the Lord Street pub as a hotel and has applied to change its licence. Representations close Friday 21 August. What is actually changing.
Formby
Formby dunes fire burned 10 hectares, six engines sent
Six fire engines fought a gorse fire in the dunes near Albert Road from 8pm on Wednesday. Wind pushed it to 500m by 200m, and lighting a fire there is already an offence.
Southport
Southport aviary closure saves £60,000, budget book shows
Sefton's own budget puts the saving at nil this year and £60,000 in 2027/28, against £80,750 to run the aviary. PETA backed the closure on Thursday.
Business
Emily's Formby operator in liquidation a year after CVA
Rebel Restaurants Group Ltd, which trades as Emily's on Brows Lane, appointed liquidators on 6 August, thirteen months after creditors approved a rescue plan.
What's On
Southport Flower Show 2026: Ran 20-23 August, £32 a Day
The show ran 20 to 23 August at Victoria Park. The gate price was £32, £20 in PR8 and PR9, parking £10. The 2027 dates are not published yet.