By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
How good would it be if everyone gives the gift of Southport this Christmas?
It’s something we should do every year – but this year in particular.
We can all make a difference – and it’s simple to do.
We can all make one change in our habits this Christmas.
It’s the joy of giving that also inspires something really pleasant to receive.
There are so many things you could put on your Christmas list this year:
- Tickets for events such as Southport Comedy Festival, Southport Flower Show, Southport Air Show
- Vouchers for your favourite restaurant, beauty salon, bar, or cafe
- Gifts from local shops
- A day out at a local attraction, whether it’s tickets to Southport Pleasureland, or rides on the Carousel, or theatre tickets to a local show, or cinema tickets
- A stay in one of Southport’s hotels or guest houses
- Buy some amazing Southport artwork, or a calendar from a local photographer
- Half season tickets or tickets to see Southport Football Club
This message isn’t just for residents in Southport either.
After the tragedy and the rioting of this summer, local businesses in Southport saw huge drops in takings and footfall.
That’s after the impact of Southport Pier being closed for two years too.
We need some love from our neighbours! If you’re in Liverpool, Chester, Wirral, Knowsley, Preston, Manchester, Wigan etc, and you’re reading this, we’d LOVE you to buy something from Southport this Christmas.
If you’re buying tickets for someone, or a day out in Southport, then even better, because we’re a town that loves visitors and we’d love to see more families coming back.
Spending locally always has a positive ripple effect.
If you buy a voucher in the local shop, that shop owner may go for lunch; that restaurant worker may go to the theatre; the theatre worker may go to the local coffee shop.
Every little helps, and every little makes a difference.
At the Southport Business and Economy Forum at The Bold on Tuesday (26th February 2024), one guest questioned why many people spend so often on cheap online ‘fast fashion’ from overseas when we could spend within our local economy instead. Great point.
Economist Christian Spence, one of the guest speakers, spoke about the rise in ‘experiential’ spending in the UK economy – in other words, there is a growing demand for people wanting those great days out.
It’s what Southport does so well with our wealth of top events, attractions, hospitality and leisure venues. Buy someone a visit to Southport they’ll always remember.
How else can you help Southport this Christmas?
With kindness. We want you to spread the love.
Go into a shop you adore? Post it on social media, tag it, and say how good it is. Tag your friends.
Go for a great meal? Publish a glowing TripAdvisor or Google Review. Post in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group or anywhere else on social media.
Post pictures of Southport looking good, whether it’s the Christmas lights, the bear and reindeer, the Gingerbread Trail, or anything else that sparkles. Be proud.
If we each do that one small thing; if we each buy one thing from a local Southport business; if we go for a day out in Southport; we each make a difference.
Please buy the gift of Southport this Christmas.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]
