Marine Lake
Events Centre
Southport's landmark £73m cultural venue — 1,500-seat theatre, 2,400-capacity exhibition hall, and the UK's first water and light show, right on Marine Lake.
Terry's Take
Why MLEC Is a Big Deal for Southport
I've lived in Southport all my life. I remember the old Southport Theatre — watching my kids perform there, catching the occasional touring show, standing in that foyer that hadn't had a lick of paint since about 1987. When it shut in March 2020, it felt like another blow to a town that had taken a few. But here's the thing: what's coming to replace it is genuinely extraordinary.
The Marine Lake Events Centre isn't just a new venue. It's a statement. A £73 million statement, funded by the Southport Town Deal, that says this town is serious about its future. A 1,500-seat theatre with a Liberty sprung dance floor. A 2,400-capacity exhibition hall that can be split three ways. A signature restaurant. A lakeside café with 180-degree views. And right outside the front doors, the UK's first water and light show — 106 fountains, six lasers, projections on the lake itself, seven nights a week.
Half a million additional visitors a year. Three hundred new jobs. Eighteen million pounds flowing into the local economy annually. If that doesn't get you excited about Southport's future, I don't know what will.
Inside the Building
The Venue in Detail
103,000 sq ft designed for world-class performance, conferencing, and events — all with views across Marine Lake.
Flexible Theatre & Auditorium
Up to 1,500 seats
The heart of MLEC. A state-of-the-art flexible auditorium capable of hosting West End touring productions, concerts, comedy, ballet, opera, and cinema-scale screenings. Leading digital AV technology throughout.
Exhibition Hall
2,400 capacity
A vast, column-free exhibition space that subdivides into three independent halls. Perfect for trade shows, banquets, sports events, wedding receptions, and corporate conferences. All three can be used simultaneously.
Liberty Sprung Dance Floor
'Strictly Come Dancing' spec
The same movable sprung dance floor used on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. One of only a handful installed in a UK venue — ideal for galas, dance competitions, and ballroom events.
Signature Restaurant
Lake & coastline views
A full-service restaurant built into the MLEC, offering 180-degree views across Marine Lake and the coast. Bookable independently of events — a destination dining experience in its own right.
Lakeside Café & Bistro
Open all year round
Coffee and lunch by day, tapas and cocktails by night. The lakeside café space is open to the public year-round, independently of any events programme — a new social hub for Southport.
VIP & Hospitality Suites
Flexible event spaces
Multiple VIP areas, breakout rooms, and dedicated hospitality suites. Whether you're hosting a product launch, private dining event, or awards ceremony, MLEC can be configured around you.
Professional AV & Production
Leading digital technology
Built to the technical spec demanded by touring productions and major concerts. Full fly tower, professional rigging infrastructure, broadcast-quality sound and lighting systems.
Production & Back-of-House
Professional touring spec
Dedicated loading bays, production offices, green rooms, dressing rooms, and technical support spaces. Everything a touring company or conference organiser needs, without compromises.
Meeting Rooms & Offices
Flexible configurations
Smaller meeting rooms and office spaces for events that need quieter, separate breakout areas. Suitable for interviews, press junkets, sponsor activations, and ancillary event management.
Included with MLEC
The Light FantasticThe UK's First Water & Light Show
Directly in front of MLEC, Marine Lake becomes a performance space in its own right — a £3.3m show running every night of the year, free to watch from the Promenade.
Show System Specification
All show equipment installed on 31 floating barges anchored on Marine Lake. A 60m clear channel maintained at all times for water sports. Laser operation approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.
From Demolition to Opening
Construction Timeline
Three years of work, one extraordinary result.
March 2020
Southport Theatre Closes
The former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre holds its last show after 50+ years. The site is assessed and deemed no longer fit for purpose.
Spring 2024
Demolition Begins
DSM Group appointed to demolish the old theatre. Historical heritage items — including original projectors — carefully removed and preserved for display in the new MLEC.
April 2024
Construction Starts
John Graham Construction begins work. Access road to the Promenade hotel formed (9 weeks). Substructure works begin (29 weeks).
September 2024
Superstructure Rising
Permanent site establishment complete. Superstructure (the main frame of the building) begins — 44 weeks of work above ground level.
March–April 2026
Interior & Specialist Fit-Out
High-level walkways and gantries installed (24 weeks). Fabric, finishes and specialist theatre installations begin — including the Liberty sprung dance floor and AV systems.
August 2026
Completion Activities
Final completion works begin (29 weeks). The Light Fantastic water show components installed on Marine Lake.
October 2026
Handover & Staff Training
Building formally handed over to Sefton Council. ASM Global (appointed venue manager) begins 24-week staff training and familiarisation programme.
April 2027
Doors Open
MLEC opens to the public. Southport gets its landmark cultural venue back — bigger, better, and built for the next 50 years.
Ready to Visit?
Plan Your MLEC Visit
Accommodation, transport, dining, and things to do — all covered.
Where to Stay
Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering near MLEC. From the Promenade to Lord Street, we've mapped the best options by distance and price.
Find accommodation →Getting There
MLEC is on the Promenade — easy to reach by train, bus, or car. Full guide to parking, Merseyrail, taxis, and accessibility.
Transport guide →Eat & Drink
Pre-show dinner, post-show cocktails, or a full family lunch — Southport's restaurant scene is ready for the MLEC crowd.
See nearby restaurants →Make a Weekend
MLEC is best enjoyed as part of a wider Southport trip. Beaches, King's Gardens, golf, the Promenade — there's plenty to fill a weekend.
Attractions & things to do →The Bigger Picture
What MLEC Means for Southport
For a town that has spent a decade fighting for its share of the visitor economy, the MLEC isn't just a building — it's the anchor of a wider transformation. The Town Deal isn't the only regeneration money coming to Southport, but it's the most visible. When those doors open in 2027, they'll open onto a town that has also seen investment in Lord Street, the seafront, and the wider cultural offer.
ASM Global — who also run Manchester's AO Arena and Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena — have been appointed to manage the venue. That's serious pedigree. It means touring shows, major conferences, and national acts will be looking at Southport as a genuine stop on their circuit for the first time in years.
Half a million extra visitors a year don't just go to the venue — they stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, drink in our bars, and shop on Lord Street. The ripple effect for local businesses is enormous. The businesses that position themselves now will be the ones that benefit most.
Funding Breakdown
Key Project Partners
- Lead Architect: AFL Architects
- Project Manager: Gardiner & Theobald
- Civil Engineers: AECOM
- Venue Consultants: IPW
- Main Contractor: John Graham Construction
- Demolition: DSM Group
- Venue Operator: ASM Global
- Light Show: LCI Productions
Before MLEC
Remembering the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre
The building that MLEC replaces hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment for over 50 years. The Southport Theatre and Convention Centre was a genuine regional venue — the kind of place where generations of Southport families made memories. It closed its doors for the last time in March 2020.
When demolition began in spring 2024, the team made a point of preserving the most historically significant items from the old theatre — including original projectors and heritage artefacts — which are being held in safe storage. They'll be incorporated into the new MLEC for public display. It's a classy touch: the new building will carry a piece of what came before.
The MLEC isn't a replacement — it's a transformation. The site, the lake, the views, the Promenade: all the same. But the building sitting on that plot in 2027 will be one of the finest venues in the North of England.
The Southport Theatre & Convention Centre — closed March 2020, demolished 2024.
Got Questions?
MLEC FAQs
When does the Marine Lake Events Centre open?
Practical completion is expected in April 2027. Sefton Council and venue manager ASM Global will announce specific opening events and shows in the months leading up to opening.
What kind of events will MLEC host?
The MLEC is designed for everything: concerts, comedy nights, theatre productions, ballet, West End touring shows, conferences, exhibitions, award ceremonies, weddings, banquets, and sports events. With a 1,500-seat theatre and a separate 2,400-capacity exhibition hall, it can handle multiple events simultaneously.
Where exactly is the Marine Lake Events Centre?
MLEC is located on Marine Drive / the Promenade in Southport, on the site of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. It sits directly on the shore of Marine Lake, which is why you'll also get The Light Fantastic water and light show just outside the front doors.
What is The Light Fantastic?
The Light Fantastic is a £3.3m water and light show on Marine Lake — the UK's first attraction of its kind. It features 106 jet fountains (including a 30m giant jet), six laser systems, three water projection screens, and 8-minute shows running seven days a week until 10:30pm. Themes include the History of Southport, Wildlife & Nature, Sport, Music, and Culture.
Who is managing the MLEC?
ASM Global has been appointed as venue operator. ASM Global manages over 350 venues worldwide, including Manchester's AO Arena and Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, so Southport is in capable hands.
How is MLEC being paid for?
The £73m project is funded through: £33.3m from the Southport Town Deal, £20m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and £19.9m in Sefton Council prudential borrowing. It is the central project of the Southport Town Deal.
What happened to the old Southport Theatre?
The Southport Theatre and Convention Centre closed in March 2020 after more than 50 years hosting some of the biggest names in entertainment. The building was assessed and deemed no longer fit for purpose. Demolition began in spring 2024. Historic items from the theatre have been preserved and will be incorporated into the new MLEC for public display.
How far is MLEC from Southport town centre?
MLEC is approximately 10–15 minutes on foot from Southport town centre along the Promenade. The train station is around 15 minutes' walk. King's Gardens and the beach are right next door, making it ideal for a full day out.
Be Ready for 2027
Get Listed Before the Crowds Arrive
MLEC is projected to bring 515,000 extra visitors to Southport every year. Is your accommodation, restaurant, or attraction in front of them? Get listed on SouthportGuide.co.uk now.