MP Patrick Hurley has been speaking with businesses and colleges locally to ensure that “Southport’s best days lie ahead”.
Mr Hurley recently met with Silcock Leisure Group Managing Director Herbert Silcock; Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince; Operations Manager Jameson Silcock; and IT Manager Justin Prescott; along with BACTA President John Bollom and BACTA Membership Support Officer Simon Bradbury at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant, Funland and the Carousel.
He then spoke in Parliament as he pressed the case to support the local economy.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “This Government was elected on a platform to embed economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity.
“In the past couple of weeks, I have spoken to colleges and businesses across my Southport constituency, including our rightly famous Silcock’s family entertainment centre, to see how we can develop our skills policy to ensure that for towns such as Southport, the best days lie ahead.
“How will the Department work to support the next generation of entrepreneurs to ensure that our economic mission is furthered?”
Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds said: “I pay tribute to my Honourable Friend after what his community has been through, and the incredible way that he stepped up to represent that community. That is something we would all like to acknowledge.
“The points that my Honourable Friend makes are right: small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups are essential to our economic success, in Southport and in every part of the UK, and the support we will give them covers advice, guidance and training.
“On his point about skills, that is why we have established Skills England. If we want entrepreneurs to take real risks with their own property and income, we must give them stability. We cannot change policy every year.
“The stability and consistency we will bring is as important as the policy environment we will create to do exactly what my hon. Friend says.”
Silcock Leisure Group Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince said: “It was great to meet our new MP for Southport and to let him know about how long Silcock Leisure Group has been here in Southport, and to offer our support.
“Southport has been through some very tough times.
“We all have to work together to make Southport what it can and should be.
“It was a good opportunity to be able to speak about the issues affecting all of us, including the desire of everyone to see investment secured to reopen Southport Pier, alongside other issues affecting Southport.
“What has happened in Southport this summer has been mind-blowing. We are all desperately sad for all the children and families affected. It has been an unprecedented time.
“We are all keen to look forward and see where Southport goes from here.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]