Sefton Council Faces Backlash Over Plans for Salfordian Hotel

Sefton Council is confronting significant opposition from local residents regarding its proposal to purchase the Grade II Listed Salfordian Hotel in Southport for use as temporary accommodation. Over 1,500 signatures have been gathered on a petition urging the council to abandon its plans, citing concerns about the potential impact on the community and the nature of the individuals who may be housed there.

The Salfordian Hotel, located at 37 Park Crescent, has a storied history. Opened in 1963 by Salford Council, it was designed to provide holiday accommodations for residents and their carers, complete with 24-hour support services. Although Salford City Council has owned the property since its inception, it is now looking to sell the site to Sefton Council, which is facing increasing pressures to address homelessness in the region.

If the purchase goes ahead, Sefton Council will need to secure the necessary planning approvals before finalizing the sale. Acknowledging community concerns, the council emphasized that local residents would have opportunities to comment on any planning applications. Many residents fear that housing vulnerable populations in the hotel would lead to lasting negative changes in the area.

A group of local families, preferring to remain anonymous, expressed their apprehensions during a recent meeting. They released a statement saying, “Uppermost in all our minds is that we all want to see homelessness reduced and to make sure vulnerable people in Southport get the support they need. Nobody should be left without a home in our town. However, the Salfordian on Park Crescent in Southport is the wrong place for so many reasons.”

Residents have raised questions about the council’s assertion that the hotel would serve as accommodation for homeless families. They pointed out that, legally, families cannot be housed in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Concerns are mounting that the hotel could instead be used to house single adult men, including ex-offenders, without adequate risk assessments.

In response to the growing unease, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, stated, “If the purchase goes through then The Salfordian can once more provide a safe and supported environment for our most in need residents.” She noted that the council has published a series of FAQs to clarify misconceptions surrounding the proposal.

Sefton Council has a statutory obligation to prevent and relieve homelessness among its residents. Cllr Atkinson emphasized the importance of support services available to those in temporary accommodation, which aim to help individuals find permanent housing. “This will be a fantastic opportunity to help those most in need,” she added, highlighting the potential benefits for the community.

On October 2, 2025, Sefton Council’s Cabinet will convene at Bootle Town Hall to discuss the future of the Salfordian Hotel. A report prepared for the meeting indicates an intention to allocate £1 million for the potential acquisition and necessary refurbishment of the property for temporary accommodation. The report also outlines the sharp increase in homelessness rates within the borough, which have surged by more than 100% since August 2023, with around 200 households presenting as homeless each month.

The council’s 2024-29 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy reveals a critical shortage of social housing and reflects the challenges posed by a fluctuating private rental market, including rising no-fault evictions and high support needs among the homeless population.

Cllr Atkinson reiterated the necessity of addressing homelessness, stating, “Given the increasing demand for temporary accommodation both locally in Sefton, as well as nationally, [The Salfordian Hotel] has the potential to help meet the needs of Sefton residents experiencing homelessness.” If the council chooses to move forward with the acquisition, it has committed to consulting residents and local businesses as part of the planning process.

Currently, the Salfordian Hotel is not operational, and Salford Council has arranged for live-in guardians to protect the property from vandalism and to manage maintenance issues. Despite speculation circulating on social media regarding the potential accommodation of asylum seekers, the local authority clarified that the proposal does not include this demographic.

Addressing transparency concerns, the council stated that while most information will be made publicly available, discussions related to the purchase price will remain confidential due to commercial sensitivity. The outcome of the Cabinet meeting on October 2 will be pivotal in determining the future of the Salfordian Hotel and its role in addressing the pressing issue of homelessness in the region.