Central 12 Car Park

Right, so you're driving into town, eh? Listen, parking in Southport can be a proper pain, especially on a Saturday when the shops are rammed. I reckon Central 12 Car Park is usually your best bet, to be honest. It's right in the middle of everything, next to the shops, so you're not miles away lugging bags. Google says it's got a 4.1 rating from 15 reviews, which sounds about right – it's a car park, not the Ritz!

It's open whenever the shops are, basically. Check c12shopping.co.uk for exact times, because they change a bit depending on the season and if there's a late-night shopping thing on. I always head there first, and if it's full, then I start looking at the on-street parking, but that's usually a nightmare.

Downsides? Well, it can get busy, obviously, and it's not the cheapest car park in town. But you're paying for location, aren't you? Plus, it's well-lit and feels safe enough, even at night. I've used it loads of times when I've been to the cinema or out for a meal.

Just a heads-up: have some change handy, even though they take cards as well. Sometimes the machines can be a bit temperamental, especially if it's raining.