Southport Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis comments on the ₤37.5 Town Deal that will ensure Town's future success

THE owner of Southport Pleasureland, Norman Wallis, who us part of the Town Deal board that has successfully applied for a multi million pound Government investment through the Budget has said that the funds will be Mr Wallis, who is the CEO of Universal Rides Limited, has exciting plans for his park. He is aiming to transform Southport Pleasureland into an all weather, all year round attraction that will attract millions of additional visitors into Southport each year. He believes the successful Town Deal funding will provide a huge boost to the whole resort helping to create new jobs and attract further private investment.

Mr Wallis said:- "This is absolutely fabulous news for Southport and is the catalyst needed to help ensure the future success of our wonderful town for many generations to come. I was very pleased to have been part of the Town Deal Board, and for Southport Pleasureland to have played a major part in this successful bid. The whole board worked as a cohesive unit to deliver the submission. Local MP Damien Moore's contribution has certainly helped to gain this wonderful achievement for the town of Southport. All too often Sefton Council are criticised for what they could or should have done, but this is a marvellous example of how they have pulled the team and the bid together to get this fantastic result for Southport, in particular Stephen Watson and Stuart Barnes whose tireless contributions helped ensure the success of this project."

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced the sum for Southport after backing the Town's impressive Town Deal submission for funding. Details of exactly how the money will now be spent will be revealed over the course of 2021.

Central to the bid was a new waterside events centre after Southport Theatre and Convention Centre closed in April 2020, along with other schemes including:- a new light and water show in the Marine Lake and new incubator and co-working space for businesses.

Southport MP Damien Moore said:- "This funding is an opportunity to present a vision not only of what we want for Southport now, but where we want to be in the future. This has always been my goal, to deliver a locally driven, joined up package for Southport. I have repeatedly made the case for sustained investment in our town, both to Sefton Council and to central Government; investment attached to a long term vision. That case was made much easier by the creation of the Southport Town board, without which this bid would not have been possible, and a Conservative MP working with a Conservative Government."
 

SOUTHPORT BID's CEO Rachel Fitzgerald has welcomed the announcement of ₤37.5million Town Deal funding for Southport. The BID had a place on the Town Deal Board which submitted multi million pound proposals for investment in Southport to the Government. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced a total of ₤1billion in Town Deal funding for a total of 45 UK Towns through the Towns Fund, including Southport. Central to Southport's successful bid was the creation of a new waterside events centre, after Southport Theatre and Convention Centre closed in March last year when the operator entered liquidation.

Also included are exciting plans for a new light and water show on the Marine Lake; incubator and start up space for local businesses; and public realm improvements.

Advance funding through the Southport Town Deal has already seen ₤100,000 being invested in the Southport BID initiative to provide lighting along Lord Street, which is now nearing completion.

A further ₤900,000 in Town Deal funding has gone towards the ₤1.4million redevelopment of Southport Market as an exciting food, drink and events hub.

Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "I am delighted to see such substantial funding for Southport through the Town Deal. The BID was part of the Town Deal board which submitted its multi million pound proposals to the Government. A huge amount of work has gone into preparing the submission over the past 12 months. Southport BID has worked hard along the Southport MP, Sefton Council, Southport College, local business leaders and board members from the public sector to ensure that we secured this vital investment. I hope it now gives confidence to the private sector that Southport is an ambitious town looking towards a positive future, and that our forward thinking resort is a great place to invest and do business. Southport BID will continue to do all we can to attract vital investment into Southport."