Sefton Council is looking to work with Southport BID to encourage visitors to come and enjoy staycations in Southport this summer.
After Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined his ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown restrictions businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors in Southport have been looking forward to reopening and welcoming back customers.
If the vaccination rollout continues at pace and Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations continue to fall, then from 12 April onwards all shops, most outdoor attractions, gyms and self-contained accommodation would be allowed to reopen.
From 17 May onwards, indoor hospitality, indoor entertainment and attractions, remaining accommodation and remaining outdoor entertainment would also be able to restart.
Speaking at the recent Southport Business Improvement District (BID) – Retail Leadership Group, Service Manager for Tourism Mark Catherall revealed that the council is aiming to maximise its budget during the summer months to target both ‘day and staying visits’ and will work with the BID to ensure that campaigns encourage people to visit Southport and the coast.
More than 9.1million visitors came to Southport in 2019, and it is hoped that the easing of lockdown restrictions will entice millions of people to return.
Mark Catherall told the meeting that it had been a difficult time for tourism over the last 12 months and that Sefton Council is currently waiting for the Government to confirm route map details in order to plan for future major events.
Sefton Council is working with the hotel sector, guest houses and other accommodation providers to ascertain occupancy levels. This information will subsequently be shared with local retailers through Southport BID to help them for planning purposes.
Mark Catherall gave an update on progress with the Southport Town Deal initiative.
On 31 October last year, the Southport Town Deal board on which Southport BID sits submitted proposals worth £50million to the Government.
Central to the submission is the construction of a new conference and events centre to replace Southport Theatre, which closed in March last year due to the previous operator entering liquidation.
Mark Catherall revealed that a decision from the Government is expected soon.
A discussion was held around how Southport BID can support a ‘buy local’ initiative.
Given the importance of having both smaller independent retailers and multi-nationals to drive footfall, focus now needs to be on engaging with local people.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald confirmed that the BID is looking to organise a new campaign around ‘buy local’, with more details to be discussed at the next BID Board meeting.
Mark Catherall will be invited back to the next meeting to discuss the Southport Visitor Economy in further detail.
Find out more details about Southport BID at southportbid.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In on @southportBID
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