Community groups are calling for a return to a Southport of ‘Christmas past’ after it was revealed this weekend that there won’t be a main festive celebration in the town.
It was announced this week that Southport won’t have a Christmas lights Switch On event this year after bosses at Southport BID said businesses don’t want to fund it.
Instead a series of smaller events throughout the Christmas period will be held to encourage more footfall in the town, although there is no word as yet to say what these events will be.
A Business Improvement District spokesperson said: “The BID has very limited resources, especially in the post Covid era as we attempt to help businesses and Southport town centre recover.
“The BID has to ensure that the investment of our local business community is used in the most effective way, delivering the best results for our businesses and the town.”
The news has sparked a mixed reaction, with OTS receiving a number of emails from readers to bemoan the decision.
Colin Rimmer, a self proclaimed lifelong Sandgrounder, wrote: “This is the nail in the Christmas coffin of a town once bursting with joy.
“Christmas in Southport when I was a boy and even up until the late 80s was such a special time.
“Now we won’t even have a switch on which is a huge shame. The BID did a great job when they came in and had some big names to switch on the lights and the town was packed.
“It seemed so much better than the rubbish we had in the late 90s, whoever organised that.
“If the corporate powers that be won’t do it, we have to.
“We need to bring back a proper beautiful tree, Christmas markets with local produce and goods. That will boost businesses and jobs. We should have local performers and college students using their vocations to make the town a great sight at Christmas.”
“Where has our Christmas spirit gone?!”