Sand has been taken from the Sefton Coast for many years and put to use in many industries. Just to the north of Southport, just by the Marshside RSPB reserve, was a sand washing plant where sand taken from the Horse Bank off Southport was washed and then distributed to industry, Southport sand has exceptional qualities for the foundry trade and for polishing glass.

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your point of view, the company operating this facility ceased trading in 2007 and the plant has now been dismantled and is possibly reverting to nature. So this sight can never be seen on the Southport Coast again.