Petition to Save Southport's Tourism

One of the cuts that the Labour Leader of Sefton Council has decided to consult on is a proposal to scrap the Tourism Service. This would mean closure of the Tourist Information Centre and end to marketing Southport as a tourist destination.

John Dodd and the Lib Dems in Southport do not believe that this is the correct course of action. Over 5,000 jobs in the town are directly related to tourism. Many businesses would be hit if this proposal isn't defeated.

Please support our campaign by signing the petition to oppose any reduction in the Tourism Service.

Sign the petition here

Save Southport Tourism

Liberal Democrats in Southport are calling for local residents to help save the resort’s tourism industry.

As part of the drive to save £20 million next year, Sefton Council is looking at all its services to see if savings can be made. One proposal is to review the Council’s Tourism function with the “possible outcome of ceasing to provide a Tourism service”. The consultation process is shortly coming to an end.

John Dodd

John Dodd said: “Tourism is vital to jobs and to the economy generally in Southport.  Research shows that tourism is worth hundreds of millions of pounds a year to the local economy, and supports 5000 jobs. Sefton Council plays a key role in supporting this essential industry by promoting events and attracting conferences which are vital to hotels and other businesses in Southport, and by operating the Tourist Information Centre.

"I appreciate that many residents and those involved in the sector have already responded to the consultation, but I am also asking others, as one of their New Year’s Resolutions, to find 10 minutes this week to go on-line and express their views about this service which is so essential to the well-being of our town.”

You can help to save the Southport Tourism Service by responding to the consultation on Sefton Council's website here. The consultation closes on the 13th of January.

Is Tourism Important to Southport? – Have your Say

Sefton Council's Tourism Service could be abolished as part of the next round of cuts. The Council are carrying out a consultation to find out what people think. It is important that the Council hears from as many residents as possible.

Have your say here

The Tourism Service supports the Sefton Visitor Economy (worth £374 million), of which 74% (£278 million) is spent in Southport and generates 5,300 jobs in the town.

Proposals could cost 1,000 jobs

Sefton Council itself says that: "At least 22% of Southport’s tourism expenditure is directly enabled by Council destination marketing, events, conference sales and contracts – and is therefore at risk if the Tourism service ceases. This equates to approx 1,000 jobs at risk, with a cost to the Exchequer of £7m per annum and to the Council of £1m per annum (council tax rebates, housing benefit etc)."

Sefton Council has to find total savings of around £70 million in a three year period. The target for savings next year (2012/13) is £20 million. All services across the council are being looked at to see if savings can be made. Your views will inform the Sefton Cabinet, which will meet February 2012 to agree what to recommend to the full Council for decision.

 Have your say here

To take part in the consultation on the Tourism Service click on any of the Have your say here links on this page, which will take you to Sefton's consultation. Then click the Give us your views button on the consultation page and answer the questions. If you want to see the proposals in full click on the Documents tab on the consultation page.

The consultation ends on the 13th of January.