Southport BID is calling for local people to invest in their town and support local businesses when they reopen from Monday (12 April).

‘Step 2’ of the easing of national Covid-19 restrictions will see scores of places able to welcome customers after being forced to close over the winter months.

They include all retail, charity shops, showrooms, car washes, hairdressers, beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas, tanning salons, gyms, outdoor hospitality, attractions including Southport Pleasureland and parts of The Atkinson and others.

Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “Everyone in Southport is excited to see so many of our businesses reopening after being closed for so many months.

“These have been a very challenging few months for our local business owners and they will need huge support from local people now they are finally able to welcome back customers.

“People need to really invest in their town and to shop local, eat local and spend local wherever and whenever they can.

“We need a spirit of unity and collective ownership in Southport.

“Over these past few weeks local business owners have been working incredibly hard to make changes to their premises, particularly in the hospitality sector. People will be able to enjoy seeing much more outdoor facilities such as outdoor furniture, lighting and marquees.

“Traders I have spoken to have also told me about the extensive measures they have been putting in place to ensure that their premises and the systems they have are Covid secure, to give customers the confidence they need to return.

“It will be fantastic to see life return to Southport from Monday. Please give our local businesses every support you can, our town is only as good as we all make it.”

During lockdown, Southport BID completed its impressive project to transform the mile-long Lord Street into “a boulevard of light” to provide a beautiful environment for people enjoying Southport town centre at night.

New legislation allows shops to open until 10pm if they wish while restaurants, cafes and bars are now allowed to open outside, without the need for substantial meals, and without curfew.

A total of 300,000 lights have been installed across 80 trees on Lord Street with Southport BID contracting Southport firm Illumidex UK Ltd to carry out the work.

Work is continuing on the new look Southport Market, with a food, drink and events focus, with the grand opening taking place in the next few weeks.

Southport BID is inviting people and local businesses to sign up to the new Southport Gift Card.

Southport Gift Card was launched by the Southport Business Improvement District last year as a way of giving a boost to our local economy while encouraging people to spend local.

Over 80 Southport town centre retailers, restaurants, cafes, bars and leisure venues have already signed up to accept the brand-new Southport Gift Card, with more added each week.

The card is ready to be spent in high street favourites such as M&S, The Entertainer, Flannels and Sports Direct plus dozens of popular independent favourites such as Volare, Reputation, Tap & Bottles and Over The Moon kids boutique.

Love to spend more time in Southport.

Just get rid of the bike lanes and have more parking!

Shopping local on the bike more frequently now, thanks to improved cycle facilities!

Originally Posted by The PNP

Shopping local on the bike more frequently now, thanks to improved cycle facilities!

Yep me too! Let’s have some more of them please.

Originally Posted by r4dent

Love to spend more time in Southport.

Just get rid of the bike lanes and have more parking!

Instead of being overwhelmed by the urge to park on Hoghton Street add a bit of variety to your life and try parking in one of the many car parks or dozens of other streets. It's the spice of life.

Another great bike lane thread I see .

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Another great bike lane thread I see .

Lol!

Originally Posted by r4dent

Love to spend more time in Southport.

Just get rid of the bike lanes and have more parking!

Get over it.

Carrying my shopping on a bike is dangerous, unless I limit myself to one journey for a few items each time, so that it isn't so difficult.
If I need to go to more than one shop, I couldn't leave my bike and shopping outside, it would get pinched. (The Bike too probably).

The answer is, to have a better public transport system, or controlled free 2 hour parking near the shops. The shops would be well used by many who now enjoy that service at Tesco, Morrisons etc. even Asda refund the parking charges at their store.

It's pretty obvious to see that you can park stress free, at the supermarkets, and even a more frequent clientelle would be built up with a better bus service.

What about one or two days a week for free parking in town to see what effect it would have.

It is a pleasure using the bike lanes down Houghton street, more of this please. (Preferably with post that damage cars when they are ran over)