News reports located on this page = 2.

New Shops opening on Lord Street

FOLLOWING a very bad year for High Street Shops on Lord Street, in Southport, we are please to see some new shops springing up. The shops include fantastic new traditional fish and chip shop:- 'The King's Plaice' as well as a shop next door to it, called:- 'AK Aesthetics and Skin Care Ltd.' Plus others would have spotted a new seaside rock and ice-cream shop:- 'Bella's' who also do a fantastic coffee. What is more 'Bella's' are offering local businesses near to it a discount on its coffee. But despite the few new shops opening, Southport still has large gaps and only time will tell if these new businesses are a sign of things to come. No matter what, we encourage our readers to support them and the other local businesses, who provide money to the local economy and much needed job opportunities.

This movement comes as the a report by the House of Lords Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns have reported that they have been neglected for:- "too long" and should once again be:- "celebrated as places that can provide attractive environments for residents and visitors."

The biggest finding has been that most seaside towns are being killed off by poor broadband along with poor public transport network links.

Shockingly, the report also found that with health related issues facing Seaside Towns, Blackpool has the lowest male life expectancy in England and Wales

What are your thoughts about the High Street and it's future, in any of our Towns, Villages and Cities, in the North West. Do you think we should be looking at ways to help businesses to reinvent the High Street, or like many areas, just turn it into flats? Email your thoughts to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com. Also you can read more about the House of Lord's report, online now, on the UK Parliament's website.

Bruno Tonioli to open 2019 Southport Flower Show

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli will cast his critical eye over the sunflowers and sweet peas rather than the samba and salsa as he opens the 2019 Southport Flower Show. The TV favourite is to welcome visitors to the seaside event as it celebrates its 90th Anniversary this summer with a giant garden party. Bruno has been a main judge on Strictly since the BBC show 1st started in 2004 following a hugely successful career as a dancer and choreographer and also judges on the US show Dancing With The Stars. He will be appearing at Southport on Thursday 15 August for the opening of Britain's largest independent flower show. Bruno said:- "I can't wait to see everyone in Southport this summer and help celebrate the 90th Anniversary garden party. 1 of the highlights of every Strictly season is when we visit this part of the UK for the 'Blackpool Tower Ballroom Show,' but it is always in November and the weather is usually a bit wet and windy. I'm looking forward to seeing the seaside at Southport in the sunshine and hopefully I can learn a bit about how to look after my own garden at home."

Bruno was born in Italy and moved to England in the 1970s where he made his name as a dancer and choreographer working with some of the biggest names in showbiz. He worked on videos and stage shows with:- Tina Turner, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Boy George, Duran Duran, Freddie Mercury, Sting and Bananarama. The Southport Flower Show is famous for its fabulous floral displays, show gardens and competitions for amateur growers which have attracted visitors to the resort for more than eight decades. The showpiece Grand Floral Marquee features displays from Britain's top growers and other highlights include the food festival and entertainment for all the family.

Bruno will join a host of famous names at Southport this year including TV gardener Matthew Wilson who will be sharing gardening tips and advice with visitors. General Manager Ray Roukin said:- "It's our 90th Anniversary this year and Bruno is the perfect person to get the garden party started. We're proud the show has been such a success for 90 years and generates a significant boost to the Regional economy. Everyone is really looking forward to welcoming Bruno to Southport."

Southport Flower Show, which, in 2018 attracted over 50,000 visitors, runs from Thursday, 15 August 2019 to Sunday, 18 August 2019. Early bird tickets are available for just ₤18.50 per person until the end of May. For more up to date information on the show, celebrity announcements, details and ticket bookings visit:- SouthportFlowerShow.Co.UK.