A well-known Southport business has taken on a distinguished new member of staff, with one of the UK’s most senior politicians joining them to serve ice cream to local residents.
Silcock Leisure Group welcomed Conervative Party Co-Chairman Amanda Milling MP to their premises at Funland at Southport Pier and Flavours Ice Cream Parlour on Nevill Street.
The visit aimed to show how shops, restaurants, leisure attractions and other ventures in Southport are back open for trade as they urged people to venture out and support their local businesses.
Silcock’s staff gave Amanda Milling and Southport MP Damien Moore a tour of their facilities and the extensive work they have carried out to bring in various Covid secure safety measures.
Silcock’s Manager Justin Prescott said: “It was wonderful to welcome our MP Damien Moore and Conservative Party Co-Chairman Amanda Milling to Sunny Southport. There were blue skies throughout the visit, the weather was gorgeous and it was a great opportunity to show just how important the tourism industry is to our town. The visit puts Southport on the map which is what we need.
“We have put a lot of safety measures in place at Silcock’s. If customers feel safe, then they will come in and spend money in the local economy.
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“We were delighted to welcome our VIP guests to Funland at Southport Pier and to Flavours Ice Cream Parlour, where we make our own ice cream using milk from local dairy farms.
“It was great to see Amanda Milling serving our ice cream to customers. The message to people was very much ‘support your local town’ and ‘Southport is very much open for business’.”
Silcock’s, which employs between 50 and 60 staff – more during the busy Summer season – has over 100 years experience in the amusement business in both Southport and Blackpool, over five generations.
In the 1880s Edward Silcock Snr founded Silcock’s Travelling Fairs which travelled the North of England entertaining the general public. All four sons of Edward Silcock Snr (Lawrence, Edward, Herbert and Arthur) went into the same business of their father.
Conservative Party Co-Chairman Amanda Milling MP enjoyed a visit to Silcock’s Funland and Silcock’s Flavours Ice Cream Parlour in Southport. The MP was welcomed by Southport MP Damien Moore, Sefton Council Conservative Group leader Cllr Tony Brough and Herbert Silcockand his family
Silcock’s has been operating in Southport since 1959 but has never faced a crisis like the Coronavirus pandemic.
They have been helped by Government measures including the furlough Job Retention scheme and last week’s announcement of a cut in VAT for hospitality, accommodation and attraction businesses from 20 per cent to 5 per cent. Siilcock’s is one of 490 businesses in the busy tourist town which stand to benefit from the measures.
They are also looking forward to taking advantage of the Government’s new Eat Out To Help Out scheme, which was also revealed by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week.
Justin Prescott said: “The furlough scheme has been amazing. It has allowed Silcock’s to keep all of our staff employed and now the economy is opening up again, we have been able to bring them all back from furlough.
“The cut in VAT from 20% to 5% on food, accommodation and attractions is something which will really help us.
“We are finding out more about the Eat Out To Help Out scheme and whether we can take part but that sounds like something which can be a great help as well.”
Conservative Party Co-Chairman Amanda Milling MP enjoyed a visit to Silcock’s Funland and Silcock’s Flavours Ice Cream Parlour in Southport. The MP was welcomed by Southport MP Damien Moore, Sefton Council Conservative Group leader Cllr Tony Brough and Herbert Silcock and his family
Silcock’s is looking forward to a busy Summer in Southport but issued a plea to visitors that the stunning seaside town is open 12 months a year.
Justin Prescott said: “This Summer will be great but most of our premises are open all year round. Funland for example is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and so Winter tourism is important for us and for Southport as well.
“We have lost half of the Summer already due to the Coronavirus pandemic which is why schemes such as furlough and the VAT cut have really helped.”
While in Funland Amanda Milling enjoyed operating one of the grabber arcade machines and looked around the premises before serving ice creams to customers at Flavours Ice Cream Parlour. She was given a tour of all the safety initiatives and staff training measures which the company has put into place.
Amanda Milling MP said: “I would like to thank Silcock’s Funland and Silcock’s Flavours to see how they have adapted to ensure their customers and staff are safe.
“Throughout the crisis the Government has protected millions of jobs and livelihoods, but now is the time to get businesses back on their feet and kickstart the economy in the region.”
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Southport MP Damien Moore and Sefton Conservative Group Leader Cllr Tony Brough were delighted to host Amanda Milling MP on her visit to Southport.
Damien Moore said: “Families will be looking to have some enjoyment this year after a very difficult few months and while many people may be reticent about going abroad, they can come and enjoy a great time and a wonderful holiday or a break here in Southport.
“Silcock’s is a great example of a firm in our town staffed by good people, who have been here for a long time and have been putting some effective safety measures in place to give customers confidence.
“We have some fantastic local independent businesses here in Southport. Businesses which are at the heart of our community. Having spoken to them I know just how hard it has been and it’s great that they are reopening.
“I would now encourage people to go out and support them and let’s get the great British high street back on its feet.”
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