Tourism Chiefs meet to discuss plans for Southport recovery

Political and business leaders from Sefton and Southport have met Liverpool City Region tourism chiefs to talk about the impact of the summer’s tragic events on the resort as well as plans for its future.

At the Waterfront Hotel in Southport, Sefton Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Paulette Lappin and Chief Executive Phil Porter met Tony Hall CBE, Lord Hall of Birkenhead, who chairs the new Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the Liverpool City Region.

And the full Board, along with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, visited Southport for its quarterly board meeting, which was preceded by a special breakfast meeting at which senior Sefton Council officers and local business leaders outlined the impact of the summer’s events.

After the meeting, also at the Waterfront Hotel in Southport, board members were taken to see construction work at the Southport Marine Lake Events Centre.

The new multipurpose events centre will host entertainment shows, touring theatre acts, conferences, exhibitions and much more. Work is underway to prepare the site, which will be complimented by a spectacular water and light show on the Lake, the first of its kind in the UK.

The board heard how the tragic events of July had a significant impact on the local economy but that seeing progress on major schemes such as MLEC will be vital in giving investors the confidence they need to see that Southport has a bright future ahead and in turn encourage more jobs, visitors and investment in the area.

Southport Recovery - Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Southport Recovery - Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Sefton Council Deputy Leader Cllr Paulette Lappin said:

“Southport is a wonderful, welcoming place for everyone and that has been the case for more than a century. It is a town that has not only been a staycation staple for generations of families but also welcomes an impressive amount of international visitors year after year.

“Sefton Council’s Tourism team have played an incredible role in helping keep Southport at the forefront of the seaside resort sector amid a backdrop of challenges, not least following the truly awful and heartbreaking events of July this year.

“We know there is a lot of work ahead of us and we will continue to work with local businesses, the Liverpool City Region and Central Government to do all we can for Southport and its economy.

“It was especially pleasing for Lord Hall and members of the Local Visitor Economy Partnership to see what makes Southport’s fantastic visitor proposition so unique in our region, to visit the site of the future Marine Lake Events Centre, and to share with them the aspirations and ambitions of the Council and of the town for Southport’s future.”