working hard behind the scenes newsletter · and our work with the police plus future project...

The Board are seeking nominations

PromenadeSouthport PR9 0DZTel: 01704 538382

[email protected] www.southportbid.com @southportBID

In this issue

30 MinuteParking#shopsouthportPage 2

SpringEvents!Page 3

Directornominations

Page 4

NewsletterMarch 2018

Working hardbehind the scenes

Our regular Focus Groups are for youas business representatives to askquestions and discuss our current andfuture projects.

These smaller groups are made up ofrepresentatives from different sectorsand business types whether

independent or high street brands.

If you would like to attend please letSarah know. If you have any othertopics you would like to see discussedplease suggest ideas.

Topics so far have included the valueof events to the town and increasingengagement, spending priorities, crimeand our work with the police plus futureproject ideas.

Events & Marketing -Tuesday 10th April 9amTuesday 8th May 9am

Crime and Environment -Tuesday 17th April 9am

Independents and RetailTuesday 24th April 9am

The Board are seekingnominations for new Directors. Ifyou’re interested in puttingyourself forward details of how toapply are inside.

Our big recent “win” was topersuade Sefton Council to bringback the 30-minute parking option.It took a while to get it done, andthere’s still more to do on parkinggenerally, but it’s a good start.There’s more on that inside.

Another success was receiving thePurple Flag award. Theinvestment that our pubs and clubsput into their business and theback up support from the BID, thepolice, Pubwatch, Sefton Council,the street pastors, and Light forLife amongst others were thestand-out factors in our successfulassessment.

Our next step is to introduce theBest Bar None scheme. Readmore about that inside.

Read on too to learn more aboutour forthcoming retail site.

Hugh Evans



The loss of the 30- minute parking option was one of the biggest issuesthat town centre businesses have consistently raised with us and one thatwe were determined to see reversed.

We had already successfully lobbied the Council for the increase in thefour-hour maximum stay and that’s clearly been a success. When webegan to number-crunch the data on ticket sales the case for reinstatementof the 30-minute option was cast iron in our view.

We were delighted when Sefton’s parking team, after listening carefully toour arguments, accepted our detailed recommendations and agreed toinclude them in their budget proposals.

Town centres in general are exposed to intense competition and so must do what they can to ensure that they remainaccessible and convenient. The new parking option doesn’t level the playing field entirely as our town centre willalways face intense competition from out of town shopping centres where parking is free.

But it does provide an additional reason for visiting and shopping in our town. And, in doing so, will provide addi-tional support for local small and independent retailers.

30 Minute Parking to return following BID lobby

Our brand new website shoppinginsouthport.com launches thisEaster and will be a one stop directory for all shops in the BID area.

Produced and managed by the BID, the site has been developed as asister site to Visit Southport and as such will benefit from Visit Southport’sprofile and their work to get to the top of Google’s searches giving the sitegreat prominence.

The site will provide a full directory of all retail shops in the BID area alongwith special offers, news and sales details. Each store will receive a profilepage.

There will also be a full ‘Where to eat’ guide within the site

mailto:[email protected]




Southport Festival returns for its third year this May with three days of music,art and dance in venues throughout the town centre.

There will be interactive art workshops and events in various street locations,all free for families to attend. Chapel Street will host live music and performingarts whilst bands will perform at bars and clubs throughout town.

It isn’t too late to get involved! If you would like to put on live music, poetryor dance then email [email protected] with the details for inclusionon the website listings.

It doesn’t have to be music - it can be arts and crafts demonstrations or ameet the author session for example!

The festival has seen over 100,000 people in town over thecourse of the weekend during its first two years and hasreceived regional media coverage.

Southportfestival.com @southportfestival

The Easter Bunnies are about! Southport Collegestudents have created 15 quirky Easter Bunnies andthey have found their way into 15 venues in the towncentre. Maps showing where they are hidden areavailable in The Atkinson.





Purple Flag accreditation for Southport!Southport has been awarded Purple Flagaccreditation after a lengthy campaign co-coordinated by Southport BusinessImprovement District (BID) working inpartnership with Merseyside Police, SeftonCouncil, Pubwatch and the Street Pastors.

The Purple Flag standard, launched in 2007, isan accreditation process similar to the GreenFlag award for parks and the Blue Flag forbeaches. It allows members of the public toquickly identify town and city centres that offeran entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyablenight out.

The assessment criteria considered a number of factors including cleanliness and safety, movementand transport, the range of attractions, entertainment and events, high quality environment andevidence of strong partnership working.

If you are a registered voting member of the BID youare eligible to nominate yourself to sit on the BID Boardof Directors for the current and forthcoming year.

If you wish to be nominated, please submit a brief CVand letter outlining your reasons for applying [email protected] no later than 9th April 2018.

If you are not a registered voting member of the BIDand wish to become one please [email protected] for further details.

1. The completion and submission of your nomination does not guarantee a seaton the BID Board of Directors. In order to ensure that relevant skills arerepresented on the BID Board candidates will need to demonstrate they havethe necessary experience and commitment to ensuring the success ofSouthport BID.

2. Voting will be by registered members only and the result determined by simplemajority. In the event of a tie, the decision will be deferred pending theappointment of the Chair of the Board who will carry the casting vote.

3. This is a voluntary role, as none of the Directors receive any remuneration.Board members are expected to give their time, experience, passion andexpertise to the success of Southport BID for free

Become a BID DirectorSouthport BID and Pubwatch are workingtogether on a campaign to reinstate theBest Bar None award scheme in Southport.

Best Bar None is a national award schemesupported by the Home Office and aimed atpromoting responsible management andoperation of alcohol licensed premises, leadingto an enhanced customer experience.

Best Bar Nonemaintains andraises standardsand rewardsgoodmanagement ofthose venues

that attain the Award. The scheme will beopen to pubs, bars and nightclubs in the towncentre.

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