What Business Developments Will Southport See in 2020?

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Southport was recently voted one of the happiest places to live in the UK. While there are certainly many developments in the region that reinforce this, there is always room for improvement. A theme with the government has been levelling up the north and ensuring it has the same opportunities and investment as London and the home counties. What developments across Southport have we seen and what does it tell us about the direction of business in the region?

Southport train operator Merseyrail celebrated being named the best regional rail operator, with 96% of trains reported to have been running on time in 2019. As uproar over other rail operators dominates a lot of the conversation, this seems like an even better achievement. The Liverpool-based train company extends its services to Southport and as the rising tide of success lifts Liverpool, it does the same for Southport. Stronger transport links to Liverpool allow Southport to position itself better as a coastal town a simple and reliable train ride away.

On time – again! @merseyrail has won the title of most punctual train operator – for the second year running. Figures for 2019 show that 96.36% of all services were on time. @merseyrail say they this is despite them having the oldest train fleet in the UK pic.twitter.com/iTZ6LCCDZ9

— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) January 20, 2020

Southport Pleasureland is also undergoing development. This is to keep the entertainment complex in line with the latest in what people want to engage with entertainment-wise, especially out of the house. Recent trends have found that people are opting to stay in. With the rise in streaming services and the ability to even watch the latest cinema blockbusters at home, entertainment complexes need to do more to appeal to these who might feel it is easier to stay at home.

Moving away from an amusement arcade and more towards a year-round entertainment complex is more in line with how customers are consuming this kind of entertainment. There are new rides planned, too. Pleasureland is likely to also improve its digital offering and the way customers engage with its ticketing. They could learn from the casino industry, who have found a massive migration online. This comes partly down to the incentives to play online in the UK, such as the welcome bonuses and free spins that many online casinos offer.

Department store Beales went into administration earlier in 2020 and its fate in the high street is still up in the air. KPMG experts have been drafted in to save the Bournemouth-based company; whose Southport store was a fixture of the town. All is not yet lost as there are many methods that the store could employ in Southport to re-energise its presence. The high street has felt a heavy blow in the form of Debenhams also going under. Part of this is due to the rise in people shopping online, as well as tighter budgets. There are ways to mitigate against the online expenditure and thrive by providing experiences and prestige that comes with a shopping trip.

There are many exciting business developments in Southport in 2020 – as well as some setbacks to learn from. Ultimately, the region looks to continue to improve and to hold onto its ‘happiest place’ moniker. From successful rail links to invigorated entertainment complexes and the challenges that shopping online presents, Southport is ready to flourish in 2020.