Five million visit town in boost to tourist industry

MORE than five million people have visited Southport already this year, tempted by exciting new attractions and a staycation boom.

The total number of visitors for the year to date is 5,065,024 which is 16.6% up on the previous year.

Year on year, footfall in Southport is currently 5.1 % higher than 2019 the last normal trading year before the Covid pandemic - set against -14 % for the North and Yorkshire and -21.7 % for the UK.

The impressive footfall figures, compiled by Springboard Research Ltd, shows that the number of people visiting Southport is double the average for the North and Yorkshire region and five times the average for the UK.

The growth is being driven by significant government and private investment in the beautiful coastal town.

The new Beales department store opened this month - the third Beales store in the UK and the first in the North of England - while the new Southport Market food, drink and events venue opened in July following a £1.4 million transformation led by Sefton Council and supported by Town Deal funding.

Southport Business Improvement District (Southport BID) working with contractors IllumiDex UK Ltd created ‘a boulevard of light’ with 300,000 lights along the mile-long Lord Street earlier this year to boost the town’s night-time economy.

The scheme was praised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Parliament.

And the £38.5 million awarded to Southport by the Government through the Towns Fund is set to secure schemes including a new Lakeside Events Centre and a spectacular light show in the Marine Lake.

Southport has also been buoyed by the current UK staycation boom with attractions such as Southport Pleasureland now fully operational after lockdown, and popular events such as the British Musical Fireworks, Southport Food and Drink Festival and Southport Comedy Festival all returning.

Southport BID business engagement manager Luke Randles said: “After the difficulties that businesses have faced over the last 18 months, it’s fantastic to see how our town centre is emerging stronger than ever.

“These footfall figures reaffirm the recent feedback we have received from both Southport businesses and residents, and show just how important high-quality retail is to our high streets.

“This data, coupled with the recent streak of news regarding investment, shows that Southport has the infrastructure in place to continue with a positive trend.”

Beales CEO Tony Brown said: “These figures are really good news for Southport.

“I am incredibly pleased that the opening of Beales has helped to make such a difference, especially in the continued revitalisation of Lord Street.

“Our new store is currently trading beyond our expectations.

“We are very pleased with the direction, the product mix and the product placement on offer. We still have more new brands to come in and join us.”

Sefton Council cabinet member for regeneration and skills, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: “It’s fantastic news that there has been an increase in footfall in Southport this year and indicates a step in the right direction as we look for the local economy to