Southport changes coming! Spooky town history, smallest pub in Britain, secret underground street!

Southport changes are coming! I take a walk around one of England's most interesting and historic seaside towns. I check out a really spooky building and show you the history with inside stories! I see the smallest pub in Britain, have a look at some of the Art Deco repairs going on. Also take a town walk right through Lord Street and also show you where there is a secret underground street in Southport.
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. At the 2021 census, it had a population of 94,421, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England.
Southport lies on the Irish Sea coast and is fringed to the north by the Ribble estuary. The town is 17 miles (27 km) north of Liverpool and 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Preston.
Southport is one of the nicest places in UK. It is quiet, peaceful and beautiful, from the seaside, marine lake, theme park, famous shopping aracades, sand dunes, forests, Victorian streets and much more, there is plenty to see and do. Festivals and events are running all year round such as the Jazz Festival, the Flower Show, the Air Show, the Golf Grand Open.
#smallestpub #seaside #northwest #southport #merseyside #merseyside #england #englishtown #seasidetown #englishseaside
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[@jackjames3190]

Fascinating video ! As a Londoner I’m so jealous of how much beautiful Victorian and art deco architecture there still exists unspoilt by over development - I hope underdevelopment does not spoil what’s survived so far. Too my London eyes Southports architecture looks like the poshest parts of Chelsea, Kensington - it’s really remarkable the quality of the building sand I hope they are going to be preserved, it’s looks like Southport was very wealthy once upon a time. Those houses at the end look amazing - they’d be 20 million plus houses if they were in Hampstead - and Southport looks nicer (!)

[@andrewemmerson]

Thanks for your comment! Yes a bit like Chelsea with the red brick. Those houses at the end would cost around 350-400K for the whole building, not the poshest area of southport, but up and coming area! 😁

[@markshirley01]

Birkdale and Hillside have amazing houses - they are the adjacent villages

[@markshirley01]

Birkdale and Hillside the adjacent suburbs have some amazing houses from the Manchester mill owners time.

[@jacquelinesusansmith7798]

Don’t know if my previous message was through to you Andrew, but really love your Southport videos My message didn’t seem to register I went to KGV sixth form as a girl , when the old boys school was still there crumbling on Scarisbrick rd. I remember the Sands Pub at Ainsdale being open, and Toad Hall by the dunes in Ainsdale which a few years ago an artist painted with lizards or natterjack toads. Apparently according to one of my elderly neighbours about 25 years ago - related to me that Bedford Park when she was a girl was sand dunes She would have been born around 1900

[@andrewemmerson]

Hello and thank you for leaving a comment. I don’t remember another one, but sometimes if comments are added to a thread I might miss them, so apologies if I did. I hope you enjoyed the video and also interesting to hear about your own Southport history. I’d like to make some more of the town as there are so many interesting and historic places to explore! Best wishes Andrew 🙏

[@outwithem]

A really lovely video, I have so many happy memories of Southport 😊 I need to get back there and do a video myself.

[@andrewemmerson]

Thank you! I will check out your channel :)

[@outwithem]

@@andrewemmerson You're more than welcome. Thank you 😊

[@kaymarshall2485]

Thank you Andy for your Southport video I love Southport so sad to have watched its decline 😢 I live 10 minutes away from town center please do another another one on SOUTHPORT when you can Andy such a lot to see take care ❤ Xx

[@andrewemmerson]

Thank you so much! Yes there's a lot to see, couldn't do it justice in one video, so probably will do another one soon :)

[@markshirley01]

@@andrewemmerson might be good to do a bit of Birkdale because its so linked to Southport.

[@Awarebynature]

Decline? When they are busy fixing it up?!

[@oliverbakker8381]

​@@markshirley01birkdale is southport

[@markshirley01]

@@oliverbakker8381 I know 😊

[@therespectedlex9794]

The one I just discovered was demolished was the chapel, on (of course) Chapel Street. Some other notable losses were the sea bathing 'lake', the Palace Hotel and KGV Grammar School.

[@andrewemmerson]

Thank you I didn’t know about the chapel or the grammar school!

[@therespectedlex9794]

@@andrewemmerson You're welcome, any time.

[@andywright3450]

Hi mate great content thanks Andy

[@andrewemmerson]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@jillmorris2521]

I’m just glad I lived in work there as a teenager in the late 50s and it was full of flowers and the floral hall wasn’t a disgrace. It is now.

[@andrewemmerson]

New building coming to that floral hall site! 👍

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

It isn't now as it is no longer there, demolition team on site, the 'hall' stripped of all valuable furnishings too - on we go, lets hope this is not going to be a gigantice mistake with yet another carbunkle on the horizon - time will tell!

[@jillmorris2521]

@@user-jz5ye1iu3k sadly it will as all they see is build a profit not a place for people , to see a mass of people in summer on deckchairs hearing a band in sunny air a joy . Nfw concrete it

[@opagodaswirling9383]

Very interesting video -- showing parts the mainstream media would not dare touch ! You have certainly added Southport to my ever- lengthening list of places I must experience . I was told there is a railway station, albeit well hidden , near the Scarisbrick Hotel. Others have advised me to arrive by bus from Liverpool . Good health .

[@andrewemmerson]

Glad you enjoyed the video, there’s still a train station in the centre of town if you journey from Liverpool 👍

[@oliverbakker8381]

The station is falling apart the 80% of hotels are a dump

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

I believe they will mean the 'out of use now' station?

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

@@oliverbakker8381 Could that be because the most recent owners of these beautiful top class hotels (that were) chose to house immigrants in them as opposed to holiday guests, apparently receiving lump sums of money for same. Some of these hotels have been stripped now of all of their vintage furnishings, especially The Royal Clifton. Just abominable. The thing is nobody ever sees/hears the real stories!

[@oliverbakker8381]

@@user-jz5ye1iu3k no it's not

[@FTFLCY]

Never knew there was so much Art Deco in Southport. Once can get bored of Georgian (Bath resident)!! Must take a trip up there.

[@andrewemmerson]

There’s more than I could show in the time, some interesting private art deco houses too! Might have to revisit this idea!

[@FTFLCY]

@@andrewemmerson I would so love an Art Deco house, but scarce in the UK. The golf club in the vid looked amazing. Would be very interested in seeing more....!

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

@@andrewemmerson YOU MUST, lol!

[@jenniferjones188]

I have never been to Southport it looks absolutely lovely. Would love to visit.

[@andrewemmerson]

You should! Hope you manage to visit :)

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

Before you do please look at exactly what there is as there is so much to see and do and the public just are not aware, plus we are in an ideal position for visiting other wonderful places including cities and countryside. We have great parks here too, Botanic gardens a must see. Our events programme fabulous too!

[@markshirley01]

I've just walked past Marine Gate, thanks for the video, very interesting, nice to see someone else's perspective. PS Trinity Church is across the road from where I live ❤

[@andrewemmerson]

Oh wow, I hope as a local you liked the video and I managed to do it justice!

[@markshirley01]

@@andrewemmerson yes very interesting, I've never noticed the building on bath street. Your knowledge was great, thanks. I think we're all hoping the new conference centre will attract more visitors. Southport has suffered from the opening of Liverpool One and the rise in popularity of Birkdale and Churchtown as places to eat and drink.

[@andrewemmerson]

@@markshirley01 yes the conference centre could prove to be a vital part of getting the town up where it should be!

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

@@markshirley01 Yes! I was in Ainsdale only yesterday and was surprised at how (in such a short time) it has developed so much particularly in the village area. We took a walk down Shore Rd too, just as lovely as it always was and down to the beach which was outstanding. Not one item of litter, sand the beautiful golden colour it always was, lifeguards very attentive to their job with regular patrols along the beach itself also sea area. There has to be a spoiler though doesn't there? Charge to go on this beach £10 - so make sure you have the weather sorted and pack a picnic as no refreshments now Lakeside closed, looking a pretty side site as is the horrendous ugly painted monstrosity on the building next to the now defunct Pontins, so much could be done with these properties!

[@veronical.lianmaseras4543]

Subbed!

[@andrewemmerson]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@mik99D]

Andrew. Why didn't you do Cambridge Walks?

[@andrewemmerson]

Couldn’t cover everything in one video 😆👍

[@froggypr1ncess]

i live here and went on a walk around lord street a few days ago, i remember a few years ago there was a trading card shop that did stuff like yugioh or magic the gathering type stuff does anyone know if its still there because id like to visit again

[@andrewemmerson]

You might try in the antique centre at the end of lord street, might have moved into there!

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

Famous people from Southport :- Marcus Wareing Marc Almond Lee Mack Miranda Richardson.

[@andrewemmerson]

I never knew about those 👍

[@markshirley01]

add: Sir Anthony Quayle (Ainsdale), and Lee Mack

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

@@andrewemmerson There are many more, plus those who have resided here by choice!!

[@jennybertenshaw7694]

P.S You must research the story that Napoleon stayed in Southport (after fire destroyed central Paris ) and he based the new design of Paris along the lines of Lord street s boulevard

[@andrewemmerson]

Yes I heard about Napoleon’s visit 👍

[@honeypzzz]

Born and Grew up there, till was married, Iived near Bournemouth since then.

[@andrewemmerson]

Bournemouth is also a nice place to live

[@johnparkinson-nw1nn]

Andrew, did you ever work in the hospitality / pub business ?

[@andrewemmerson]

No I never did, did you?

[@honeypzzz]

That little pier was covered with yachts

[@andrewemmerson]

sounds good!

[@sheilamoss3723]

The music very strange all out of sink.

[@andrewemmerson]

It is a bit yes 😆

[@EpicAelflaed]

He’s had a few - the musical notes I mean

[@jazzcatlesley]

No music would be preferable. This detracts from the video & I’m inclined to turn off the sound like I do with a lot of videos these days

[@jazzcatlesley]

In fact seagulls bird song the sound of the sea would be better

[@davidsumner4335]

It's not London Square; it's named "The Monument".

[@andrewemmerson]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southport_War_Memorial - Going off google! Could be wrong though.

[@markshirley01]

yes, but Its proper name is London Square, but everyone calls it the monument.

[@davidsumner4335]

@@markshirley01 In 2012 at the Southport Area Committee the Monument was officially given it's correct name, "The Monument" after I as a Southport councillor had informed Sefton Council that this should have been the correct name given by the Mayor at the commissioning in 1923. See the 2 road signs.

[@SuperHelious]

lets hope its not brittainia hotel xx

[@andrewemmerson]

I don’t think so 😂

[@goodstuff1977]

That building is old hospital from the war times, my grand parents worked there

[@andrewemmerson]

Ah, is that the Kenworthy Apartments? Looks a little bit like a wartime hospital, very interesting!

[@Rubyrue03]

Southport is awful but with a few pockets of lovely areas. Unfortunately it has the grimmest beach you’ll ever see. I live North of Southport I but much prefer Formby Beach near Liverpool and visiting Liverpool for the architecture, shopping, restaurants and the people are always welcoming.

[@andrewemmerson]

Formby beach is very beautiful that’s true, but there’s not a lot going for the town. Also yes the people in Liverpool are the friendliest ever!

[@Rubyrue03]

Love Formby beach but the residential area is far too built up now it’s a nightmare. But the beach is beautiful for sure 😍

[@andrewemmerson]

@@Rubyrue03 very true

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

@@Rubyrue03 Just as Southports once was (Birkdale too) until Rainfords got the contract to extract millions of tons of sand from the beach for their own purposes - I dislike hearing folk pointing the finger at Southport continually when all the town has done is battle for survival - eg. Lido closed, Outdoor pool demolished- Pleasureland sold, it goes on and on. Ainsdale beach is pretty damn good!

[@therespectedlex9794]

Southport is safer and more civil than Liverpool. That's why people choose to retire here. In fact a lot of younger people from Liverpool move here for that reason. A number of people I worked with were scousers, and I'd rather they hadn't been.

[@stephanblack4558]

Is Garry Glitter hiding in the Church?.

[@andrewemmerson]

Not sure about that one 😂

[@user-jz5ye1iu3k]

@@andrewemmerson Neither am I - is it meant to be funny, sarcastic or what as it has no place in what you are filming or discussing???

[@mickeyfinn8956]

Another video ruined with the tinny tik tik hi-hat musak

[@andrewemmerson]

Sorry you didn’t like the music, won’t be everyone’s taste 😆

[@EpicAelflaed]

It was his three year old taking a music lesson