Local businesses vote 'yes' to renew Southport BID

ON the 4 June 2019, Southport BID announced that the investment it brings to Southport and the work that it does in the Town will continue for another 5 years. This news comes as a result of local businesses voting:- 'yes' for the continuation of Southport BID (Business Improvement District) for 2019 to 2024. Businesses have been voting over the May 2019, has responded to the results already achieved by the BID and its plans for the future. These include the promotion of Southport, attracting external investment, developing and supporting initiatives to enhance the Town, creating events, and championing the issues important to the Town's businesses. 58% of businesses voted in favour of renewing the BID. All eligible businesses within Southport's BID area and with a rateable value of over ₤7,000 were entitled to vote in the ballot, that was managed by the Electoral Reform Service. The result was 54% of those businesses voted:- 'yes' and it now means that the levy paid by businesses will see over ₤2 million invested directly into the Town, over the next 5 years.

Hugh Evans, CEO of Southport BID, says:- "We are delighted that businesses have recognised the difference that having a BID is making in Southport and want our contribution to continue. This will ensure an important economic boost for Southport, which we want to thank the business community for making possible. In developing our plans we consulted with local businesses and will continue to do so as we begin to put these into place and look forward to working them and leading partners in the Region in the coming months to do our very best for Southport."

Robert Uffendell, chair of Southport BID, says:- "Southport BID is the voice for the business community with a focus upon improving the Town for the benefit of those living and working in Southport or visiting the Town. The yes vote is wonderful news and we thank all those who are helping and supporting us to move forward with our vision for a stronger, more successful Southport."

Liverpool City Region finally on the HS2 map!

THE Liverpool City Region is finally on the HS2 map with the publication of detailed plans for the HS2 Phase 2b route, North of Birmingham. For the 1st time, official HS2 maps show the specific locations for junctions to connect Liverpool and London and Liverpool and Manchester via HS2, that when connected to Northern Powerhouse Rail will deliver full HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail connectivity for Liverpool City Region. To see the maps, please click here.

The news follows the inclusion of Liverpool's Northern Powerhouse Rail lines in Transport for the North's Strategic Transport Plan, which was published in February 2019, and the announcement of a Commission to take forward a new Station for Liverpool City Centre, chaired by Everton CEO Professor Denise Barrett Baxendale MBE. The investment in the new junctions is ₤100 million, for which the City Region had previously secured a commitment from the Government.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said:- "It's great news that Liverpool City Region is finally, truly on the HS2 map. We have fought long and hard to make sure HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail come to Liverpool and to see these ₤100 million connections confirmed on the official route maps is another big step forward for the Liverpool City Region. Delivering HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail will deliver a ₤15 billion boost to our economy, 24,000 jobs, 11,000 new homes and 3.6 million extra visitors for Liverpool City Region. It will also enable us to make the most of the hundreds of millions invested in our Port, with the potential to take 150 million HGV freight miles a year off the road and maximise the big investments we are making in our local integrated transport system, like the ₤460 million for our new, state of the art trains for the Merseyrail network. I will ensure that we keep up the pressure on the Government to deliver the connectivity to maximise the potential in our City Region and throughout the North of England"

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which oversees transport locally, will respond to the consultation to ensure the plans are taken forward! A public consultation will now take pace, looking at the plans and how it will affect the area.