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RESORT'S DRIVE TO ATTRACT COACH BUSINESS NOTCHES UP A GEAR
SOUTHPORT
is continuing to buck the trend after reporting another bumper year
for coach travel business.
Southport
saw an increase of more than 200 coaches on the record-breaking
previous year when 5,748 group travel organisers and coach operators
visited the resort, despite a wet summer. This represents a boost to
the local economy of almost £6 million.
Tourism officers have just revealed the figures following a
year in which other destinations have reported a slump in coach
travel business. In the
last three years alone business has risen by a massive 30 percent
and in the last ten years has doubled.
Lord
Fearn, Sefton’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Tourism, said:- “It
has been a difficult year as the weather has been very wet which
wasn’t much fun for day trippers. Having said that we are really
pleased with the continued rise, which goes to show that the
introduction of many new incentives and facilities for coach drivers
and operatives are continuing to pay off.”
Steve
Christian, Chair of Southport Tourism Business Network’s Group’s
Sub Group, says:- “ The ongoing increase in the number of
coaches visiting the town is a reflection of the hard work put in by
members of this group. This, in conjunction with the massive
improvements at the seafront including Ocean Plaza, the Pier and
Pleasureland, demonstrates just how the productive partnership
between the public and private sector is working in this area.”
Tourism
officers believe a lot of its success in attracting increased coach
travel business is due to a wide range of recently-introduced
incentives including a coach driver’s passport, group travel pack,
discount voucher booklets, quarterly newsletter, dedicated pages on
the town’s www.visitsouthport.com website and coach hosts
to meet drivers and passengers. In addition there is the new Eco
Centre with a coach driver’s lounge.
Letters to Editor:-
"John O'Groats to Land's End"
"After walking 1,300 miles from John
O'Groats to Land's End in June 2004, I'm upping the pace to run the 2005 London Marathon in support of Leonard Cheshire's efforts to help disabled people affected by the Asian tsunami. You too can run and make a difference!
Disabled people can often be overlooked in such circumstances and do not appear on news bulletins across the world. Many caught in the path of the wave had little chance to escape; those that did are often unable to access emergency aid supplies of food and water. Many more will be disabled as aresult of the disaster.
In 1995 I lost my right arm and leg whilst clearing landmines in Mozambique, but this did not stop me from running my first London Marathon within 12 months of leaving hospital. I was able to regain my independence, Leonard Cheshire will help thousands do the same after the tsunami disaster in the months to come.
You too can join me on the start line on 17 April 2005 in London as Leonard Cheshire has over 80 guaranteed marathon places up for grabs. Find out more by calling the Leonard Cheshire events team on 0870 420 4301 or email:- events@lc-uk.org.
Thanks for taking the time to read this letter and I hope to see you running on 17 April 2005 to help rebuild the lives of disabled people in Asia."
Yours sincerely, Chris Moon MBE
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Don't be caught out by bogus callers
IN Warrington Trading Standards and Licensing Officers are warning people not to let bogus callers take advantage of their charitable nature.
Warrington Borough Council has been alerted to reports that fraudsters are carrying out door-to-door collections posing as charity workers for many charities including the Tsunami Appeal.
Cllr Mike Hannon, Executive Board Member for Community and Wellbeing, said:-
"The Tsunami disaster in Asia has touched everyone, the generosity of the public has been overwhelming so it is awful to think that some people will try to profit from other people's misfortunes.
"People need to be vigilant and by following advice given, they can help stop these bogus collectors in their tracks and make sure that donations and supplies go to the people that need them."
The Council is promoting the Charity Commission's Safer Giving Guide, which has the following advice:-
All collectors should be able to:-
* Produce a valid local authority or police licence, consideration to waive this regulation may be given due to the urgent nature of the Tsunami Appeal
* An income and expenditure return to be provided to the Local Authority together with proof of deposit into the Charities Account
* Wear an ID badge. Donors should look out for ID that looks altered, Photocopied or home-made
* Have a sealed container with the charity's registration number and name on it
* Tell you how to contact the charity direct
* Prove they have the charity's permission to collect, If in doubt contact the Charity Commission, Trading Standards or the police
Peter Astley, Trading Standards Manager said:- "There are many legitimate charities that do carry out door-to-door collections and charity fraud is rare, but it is a sad fact that these bogus callers can gain the confidence of residents by posing as charity collectors and take advantage of their generous nature. This behaviour is despicable and will not be tolerated."
Trading Standards also wants to remind people to be wary of rogue traders who use the windy weather as an excuse to prey on worried householders offering to carry out repairs.
Mr Astley added:- "We would urge all Warrington residents to be wary of anyone who calls uninvited to the door offering repairs or asking for donations and report any alleged bogus callers to the police or ring Trading Standards on 01925 442678."
£373k investment in A49 and Kerfoot Road
£373,000 of improvement works will be carried out on the A49 Winwick Road and Kerfoot Street junction commencing Monday 17 January.
The improvements will mean better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Crossing points will be upgraded to allow pedestrians to cross the road on demand, improved cycling measures will be put into place and motorists will benefit from a renewal of signage and lighting.
Other improvements include:-
* Amendments to splitter islands.
* Inspection/cleansing of existing highway drains and;
* Renewal of existing traffic signal equipment including the installation of a new ducting (for underground electrical cable) and drawpit chambers.
The work is expected to take 16 weeks and will be carried out between 9.30am and 4pm. Resurfacing work, beginning in March, will be restricted to 7pm and 5am to minimise disruption. Kerfoot Street and Longford Street will be closed during the resurfacing work with traffic to be diverted via Bewsey Road, Tanners Lane, Pinners Brow, Winwick Road and vice versa for the Kerfoot Street closure and Orford Lane, Winwick Road and vice versa for the Longford Street closure.
Public transport will not be affected by the works.
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