A Southport family business is progressing with incredible plans to create new job opportunities, apprenticeships and economic growth across the Borough, thanks to support from Sefton Council.

With support from the Local Authority’s Business and Regeneration team, EFT Group Ltd are set to relocate to a long-vacant piece of land at Southport Business Park, with the Council granting a 999-year lease on plots F, G and H at the Wight Moss Way based business park.

Major milestone

The next stage of the project involves stringent planning processes, with this week marking the beginning of that major milestone.

EFT Group, which specialises in life safety, security and construction services and has grown significantly in recent years while still remaining committed to staying in Southport, where it employs a large local workforce and supports school-based apprenticeship schemes.

The company’s new headquarters has, until now, remained undeveloped for more than a decade due to challenging ground conditions and the absence of government funding.

Pre-application

The proposed Wight Moss Way development has received a hugely positive response from planners who have assessed the scheme from a pre-application perspective.

Recently Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, joined company directors Adam Watts and Stewart Meechan for the official unveiling of the new EFT Global headquarters

She said: “This move represents yet another major step forward for Southport’s economic future and I must commend our Business, Regeneration and Planning officers for working alongside EFT Group to help them get to this vitally important stage.

“Not only will we retain a thriving local business but we’ll also bring new life to a site that has been underused for far too long.

“EFT Group’s investment will create high-quality jobs and opportunities for residents while demonstrating our commitment to supporting homegrown businesses.

“By encouraging businesses to invest locally, provide apprenticeships and create meaningful employment, we doing everything we can to secure the long term economic recovery and improvement of Southport and Sefton.

“Businesses recognise what an incredible platform this part of the Liverpool City Region can be for their own growth and for us it helps keep amazing talent in our borough, supports our care experienced young people into work and ultimately builds a stronger future for everyone in Sefton.”

Jordan Duggan, Co-Director of EFT Group, said: “As a local family company, we are proud of our roots in Southport.

“This development reflects our commitment to the area and our belief in its future, with this investment EFT Group is firmly bedding our roots into Southport for the next 50 years, creating a lasting base for our business, our employees and the next generation of workers across Sefton.

“We look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders, the local authority and the community as this exciting project progresses.”

The proposal will be debated at a future meeting of Sefton Council’s independent Planning Committee, who will take into consideration all factors prior to a decision being reached.