|
The Southport
Weekender is Moving!
THE news that music lovers in the
area have been dreading is now reality. Sadly, the problems with
Pontin’s have meant that the 24 year old event is no longer going to
be held in Southport, by the looks of things. This is a sad end for
what has been an amazing time for Sefton, that has put Southport,
year after year, on the international music map. The event attracts
people from all over the world, including A-list stars, yet we
always found it odd that many people locally did not know what it
really was and even when told they said they knew better. What was
more shocking was the fact they did not realise just how important
it was to the local economy. We will being more news about this as
soon as we have it. So far we have been given this statement:-
"With exactly 4 months to go and after weeks of negotiations, we are
moving the event to a new location, Butlin’s Holiday Resort in
Minehead, Somerset. This will come as a big shock to everyone after
all the years we've been at Southport and the many fond memories we
all hold, but even before the administration issues at Pontin’s we
had been in negotiation with Butlin’s to move the event there in the
future. And for this reason alone Butlin’s have stepped in to move
heaven and earth to accommodate us for our May event, even though it
is in peak season for them. As you all know through our past emails
to you, our solicitors have been in regular contact with the
administrators at Pontin’s. But despite making all the right noises
they cannot give us the cast iron guarantees that May's event will
proceed as they are actively trying to sell Pontin’s. We cannot take
the risk to you or us with the possibility of only 2 months to go
and another £500k invested and no chance of finding a new venue, the
event then not proceeding for one reason or another. They say things
happen for a reason and if this is true, when you see the Minehead
resort, which sleeps just over 6000 people, we know you're going to
love it! The resort really is amazing and the good news is with the
extra capacity, everyone will be on resort including staff, DJ's and
artists as one big happy family. And for all you unlucky people who
missed out we will be putting another 1500 places up for grabs from
Friday, 28 January 2011. It's a truly beautiful landscaped resort
situated near the rolling hills of Somerset on the edge of Exmoor
National Park with lovely beaches and the harbour town of Minehead.
Being close to the gulfstream it often enjoys the weather and
judging by the palm trees we believe it. The standard of on resort
accommodation on offer is of all sizes from 2 berth upwards to 8
berth, with a choice of self catering and room only, are superb -
and no more electric cards - as all your electricity is included!!
As we are sure you appreciate we could be inundated with enquiries
in the next few weeks not just from those of you already booked, but
also people wishing to join us and we have taken on extra help for
the phones but please bear with us. If you have any questions please
call:- 0844 879 7210 during office hours."
Patrick Trollope our editor said:- "Over the years we have had
a very good relationship with the event and all involved. It will be
very sad to see them leave. We wish the team at the Southport
Weekender all the best for the move and we hope that it will one day
return. Of course we will still follow this amazing event, to the
best of our ability, even though it is no longer in the Southport
area for the foreseeable future. It has been a honour to have been
allowed to cover it for so many years!"
You can email us your memories and views
on this to:-
news24@southportreporter.com. |
|
|
