These remarkable pictures show a new shopping centre being built in Southport in the 1980s.
Photographer Stuart Allister captured the work in progress as a series of shops and other buildings on Tulketh Street and Eastbank Street in Southport town centre were demolished with the Marble Place shopping centre built in their place.
Not every shop succumbed of course with Wesley Fish on Tulketh Street famously holding out – and remaining to this day.
The first big anchor store in Marble Place was C&A – do you remember when they were there?
Marble Place in Southport under construction. Photo by Stuart Allister
The big store in Marble Place today is TK Maxx, whose enduring popularity was demonstrated by its recent expansion.
Stuart said: “I used to work in a photography shop on Eastbank Street in the late 1980s so I was always snapping pics. I’ve got quite a few of Marble Place being built and thought they would be of interest.
“I have also got pictures of what was there before. I remember Quirk’s Records being demolished, I think there was a Johnson’s Cleaners… all a bit vague.
“I was sad to see my favourite independent record store close. I’m a bit of a die-hard vinyl lover .
Marble Place in Southport under construction. Photo by Stuart Allister
“I remember a bit of arguing surrounding it. Some people were in favour, some thought they would never fill it or, worse, not finish it like a few other of the town’s projects.”
The most famous failed project in Southport in the 1980s was the controversial Sibec scheme, which was given the go-ahead by planners despite a substantial campaign against it.
A huge complex was due to be built on the site behind the Ribble Buildings on Lord Street, with the whole area reconfigured. The iconic Southport Model Village was famously situated on part of the land where the new development would be.
Marble Place in Southport under construction. Photo by Stuart Allister
Building work began with huge steel frames built – but then the developer behind the scheme went bust. The remnants of the development were dubbed “Europe’s biggest climbing frame” before they were pulled down and eventually replaced by Safeway supermarket, which has since become Morrisons.
Stuart said: “Do you remember before the Sibec white elephant was built? There was an unfinished building project that was Government-funded opposite the old model village, kind of between that and Southport Baths.
Marble Place in Southport under construction. Photo by Stuart Allister
“It was fenced off for years with wooden boards with interlinked circles painted on it . I think it was going to be a records office or something like that.
“If you can picture approaching the model village (on the right) which was on a slight hill if you were travelling down Rotten Row towards the Promenade. The building site was on the left as you got to the top of the hill, as a kid I climbed the fence and remember loads of concrete footings, it was all sunk down low from the road, a bit like Morrisons car park is now.. A dark blue fence with big rings on might spark memories for people.”
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Marble Place in Southport under construction. Photo by Stuart Allister
Marble Place in Southport under construction. Photo by Stuart Allister
