SUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR A STAR FINAL.

Southport tourism officers have just returned from the grand final of Search for a Star competition to start preparing for next year’s event.

Fourteen seaside resorts took part in the British Resort Association’s talent competition at the Grand Pavilion in Pawthcawl where Martin Lambert, who won the regional final at Southport Arts Centre, was taking part.

Southport was also represented by Cllr. Les Byrom, who heads the BRA and former tourism boss Phil King, who was one of the judges.

Martin sang the Wind Beneath My Wings but the first prize went to singer Matt Baker from Weston Super Mare.  Officers in the tourism division of Sefton Council are now beginning to plan next year’s regional Search for a Star competition and are looking forward to playing host to the national final in 2004.

This year’s event was re-launched in line with some of the national competitions currently taking place. With the help of Scarisbrick entertainment agency ABD Productions the competition was the most successful yet with more entertainers taking part than ever.

Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Tourism, Councillor Ronnie Fearn, said: “Search for a Star is of such a standard that it reflects what is going on nationally, with TV shows like Star for a Night, Stars in the Eyes and Pop Stars. “Southport has a well-deserved reputation for nurturing new talent and I’m sure next year’s competition will see even more young entertainers coming forward.” The first auditions for Search for a Star are due to start in March.

Article by Julia Brough.  See Old News for photos of this years (2001) Contest!

WISH YOU WERE HERE!

Thousands of people throughout the country are going to be wishing they were in Southport when they receive a special postcard from the resort.

Some 19,000 of the brightly coloured postcards highlighting one of four of the resort’s features – shopping, relaxation, activities, and excitement – will be sent to people who have expressed an interest in more information on the town, its events and attractions. Although it is nice to receive a postcard and Sefton Council’s tourism division hope the recipients appreciate them, there are other reasons for the mailing.

“This year has been extremely busy for tourism with a sharp rise in the number of visitors to the resort," said Lord Fearn, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Tourism. “There have also been many enquiries about the resort to the Tourist Information Centre and it is these leads that this new campaign will target." “By contacting potential visitors in this way we are reaching the hottest leads, cleaning our database and reducing the amount paid in postage by mailing unwanted and often weighty holiday and information guides.”

The postcards will be sent out this week with information on the wide range of events taking place in the resort in 2002 including the Southport Spring Garden Festival (May 4-6), Queen Golden Jubilee Celebration (June 1-3), Southport Jazz Festival (June 13-19), Southport Air Show (August 31 and Sep 1) and the British Musical Fireworks Championships (Sep 6-8).

The postcards also give people the chance to request one of the various guides produced by the Tourism Division, including the just launched Southport Holiday and Accommodation Guide for 2002/3, the successful bird watching guide to Southport and England’s Golfing Capital guide.

Article by Julia Brough.

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