Southport Lions and Southport BID helped to put smiles on the faces of over 800 children and their families.
The return of the popular Christmas Grotto inside Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street, was among a full package of festive delights provided by the BID during November and December – designed to encourage people from across the region to support local businesses during the crucial Christmas shopping season.
Volunteers from Southport Lions have run their popular Grotto inside the arcade for over a decade, attracting visitors into the town centre and ensuring that Father Christmas is on hand to create special memories for thousands of youngsters.
Because of the Covid pandemic, the Grotto wasn’t able to happen in 2019 or 2020. But thanks to £2,500 in financial support from Southport BID and its levy payers – local businesses in Southport town centre – the Grotto was able to return on the weekends during December and then in the final days leading up to Christmas.
Southport company Star Kidz also played its part in the success this year, providing some of its famous elves and performers to create a special Frozen themed Grotto on December 20th-24th.
The cost was just £5 per child, which included a Christmas present, with proceeds distributed to local charities by Southport Lions Club.
Southport Lions Secretary Rob Brotherstone said: “The Southport Lions started the Christmas Grotto around 12 years ago. I began with the lions in 2009, and it had been going for a couple of years before that.
“The prime aim of the Grotto is not just to raise funds, but also to really enhance Wayfarers Arcade and to attract people into Southport town centre to enjoy the Christmas season.
“During December we operated the Grotto every weekend, and then every day in the lead-up to Christmas once the schools had broken up for the end of term.”
He added: “For the first time, the Southport Christmas Grotto was sponsored by Southport BID. It was fantastic to be able to enjoy some financial help.
“Because of the Covid pandemic, the Christmas Grotto wasn’t able to take place over the past couple of years.
“It was really good to see it back in December, although it was very different this time, as we put in place a number of Covid-safe measures.
“We have always held the Grotto in a little hut, with Father Christmas inside welcoming families.
“This year, there was no hut to keep everyone Covid safe. Father Christmas said he noticed how much colder it had been this year.
“We saw hundreds of children this year. It was lovely to see their reaction after two years of the Grotto not being able to be held.
“We saw children from all over the country, and some from across Europe, although not as many as in previous years. Grandparents in Southport invite their families back to see them at Christmas, and the children come here from everywhere.
“Father Christmas saw around 800 children this year.”
An online booking system was in place to prevent queueing and keep everyone safe.
Rob added: “We had great support from Star Kidz this year, with some of their elves coming down. They were very good, really enthusiastic.
“It also worked very well asking the kids to choose their presents from one of the shop windows rather than being handed presents by Santa himself.”
The money raised by Southport Lions does a huge amount of good in the local community.
Rob explained: “During the year we provide a lot of help for families in distress. We help families who move to our town and need our help in setting up.
“We run a charity shop in Ainsdale, where we are always looking for support.
“We provide defibrillators at locations within the Southport area. We also provide transport for young carers in Sefton.
“We provide financial support for the local foodbank.
“The money we raise each year contributes to all of that being able to happen.
“The £2,5000 in financial support we received from Southport BID will make a tremendous difference to us.
“We are very grateful to Southport BID for their help and support this year.”
Southport BID provided a wide package of events and attractions that were designed to encourage people from around the region to visit Southport town centre throughout November and December in the run-up to Christmas.
They included: Santa’s Grotto; a Frozen Grotto; the Southport Gingerbread Trail; and the UK’s first ever Digital Christmas Experience – an immersive wonderland at Marble Place (pictured below).
Southport BID had already made Southport sparkle last year through the completion of its ‘boulevard of light’, with 300,000 lights strung between the trees on both sides of the Lord Street shopping and dining boulevard.
The BID, through contractors IllumiDex UK Ltd, also installed Christmas decorations throughout the town centre.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “We were excited to unveil a comprehensive package of festive themed attractions throughout the BID area that attracted shoppers, diners and other visitors to Southport throughout these crucial few weeks in the run-up to Christmas.
“This schedule of activities encouraged visitors and local residents to engage with Southport on multiple occasions across the festive period.”
* If you are interested in joining or volunteering to help Southport Lions, please phone: 01704 577446 or email: rob.brotherstone@gmail.com
