Standing up for Southport!
I took over the Pleasureland site in Southport back in 2007. At that time, it had been all but destroyed in a bid to prevent it ever opening again in competition to other attractions on the North West Coast. So, I have first-hand experience of taking something in a state of severe decline and turning it into a prosperous and vibrant destination.
I have a passion for and a strong belief in the town of Southport. The Victorians left a great legacy for future generations here in Southport – beautiful architecture, fabulous parks and gardens, and our lakes. Not forgetting Lord Street – the stunning tree line boulevard that inspired the famous Champs Elysees in Paris.
Lord Street may be beautiful, but the shape of every high street in the country has changed beyond all recognition in recent years. With all three department stores in Southport either closed or set for imminent closure it’s time to start thinking differently about how we can turn the prospects of Southport around and help the whole town grow and flourish with events that support longer stays for visitors to benefit the whole town.
Southport puts on a series of events each year and whilst they have certainly had some success over the years, it’s time to start looking at new and exciting ways to bring people to the town. The same events year on year are just delivering the same results and are on a downward decline.
Ideas have been mooted to turn the market hall in Southport into a new food and drink hub, but do we need more food and drink outlets in the town? Doesn’t it risk diluting the offering and creating even more competition for the many cafes and restaurants that we have in the town already? I personally believe that there are other more beneficial avenues that could make much better use of the market hall space
Here are just a few of the ideas that I’ve had that may be of use to help the regeneration of our great town:
A national motor racing event such as Formula E (possibly an all female E-race) or a go-kart grand prix festival – run around the town in a mini Monaco-style
A hot air balloon night glow spectacular where balloons are tethered and light up the night sky in a colourful and vibrant display
A Centre of Excellence for Tourism. Southport was created for tourism and we shouldn’t forget that. Tourism is a growth industry which we should embrace. We should do everything we can to secure the future of Southport for generations to come, and what better way than creating a Centre of Excellence that can provide training in all the aspects of Tourism and Leisure right here in Southport itself. The skills required in the tourism industry is far broader than most people realise – we need not only hospitality staff, but craftsmen, skilled tradespeople, designers and much more. The industry is worldwide and the career opportunities within the industry are absolutely vast. One of the former department stores in the town centre could provide a perfect venue for this venture. It would make the town centre vibrant, and create a similar atmosphere to that seen in the Manchester Northern Quarter and the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool.
The town has a team of professional and proven destination creators and marketers at its disposal and willing to do everything it can to move forward. I want this town to succeed – more, I know it can succeed – and I’m prepared to do everything I can to help. I’m quite happy to discuss this further with anyone who would like to do so.
Norman Wallis
Southport Pleasureland
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