LCI Productions, a leading multimedia show design and production company, has been appointed as design consultant for a new immersive water display, as part of a major UK town’s waterfront regeneration.
Following a public consultation, Sefton Council has revealed its support for plans to transform Marine Lake Promenade with an all-new Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC). The 15,000 sq ft ultra-modern business and conference venue for Southport will coincide with the installation of a state-of-the-art Water and Lights Show, integrating with the town’s other leisure and tourism endeavours.
The new MLEC venue will attract thousands of patrons each year with a custom-designed auditorium suitable for large events, alongside an exhibition space which can accommodate over 3,000 people. A café and premium restaurant will provide additional facilities for tourists and the local community.
Bringing visitors to Merseyside
Southport’s expansive Marine Lake will host a permanent Water and Light Show for the first time, providing an experience which is described as “the first of its kind in the UK”. The purpose-built attraction is designed to help drive additional visitors to the MLEC and the waterfront area, distinguishing Southport from other nearby seaside towns such as Blackpool and Morecambe.
The show, which is predicted to attract 288,000 visitors a year, will portray an eclectic selection of shows using water jets and a misting water screen to produce 3D projected imagery. The structure will be assembled on a floating device situated within the middle of the lake.
LCI Productions’ design director Rob Paul says: “The after-dark shows will also include combinations of enchanting coloured lighting and laser effects. The show’s narratives will vary throughout the year, with opportunities for local artists to get involved in creating displays and effects that can be incorporated.
“The intention is to have the shows running hourly, depending on the weather, and all year round with changing narratives, encouraging locals and visitors to return to experience the latest instalments.”
A time of change
Southport, located in the North West of England and close to Liverpool, is a classic UK seaside resort featuring a kilometre-long pier and Southport Pleasureland amusement park. The seafront and lakeside areas have long been areas earmarked for regeneration by Sefton Council and entrepreneurs including Norman Wallis.
The MLEC and accompanying Water and Light Show will form part of the Southport Town Deal, which obtained funding from the UK Government funding in 2021. The project is also being funded with backing from Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
LCI Productions recently created a projection mapping show for the Bournemouth Coastal BID, an initiative designed to encourage visitors and local people to explore more of the UK seaside resort.
