Dating gone wrong in Southport

NEW online dating service Meet730, which opened this year, has been causing quite a stir in Southport, due to its advice on the best places to go on a date.

The innovative dating website, where women pick a date activity and men invite them out, provides a number of local date activity suggestions, but some locals have contacted the service or taken to social media to question its selection of dating venues. The site has now asked users in the area to share better suggestions for the perfect local dating spot.

Meet730 Co-founder Maria Borstnar said:- "We have had some initial teething problems when finding the best Southport dating spots. But we know that locals are more than willing to share their expertise and opinions on what their favourites are. Where people go on a date is up to them; what matters most is that they are enjoying going out and inviting each other on dates!"

It is hard to disagree with the idea that those at Meet730 have made some poor choices when it comes to selecting romantic spots locally, but all is not lost entirely, with some of their selection being very much what would be expected from any man trying to impress his date. The dating site draws its selection of dating suggestions from a mixture of the favoured activities picked by those who subscribe to the service and those chosen by its AI programme.

The dating website allows users to make a promise of 3 interesting things they will bring to a date and the men only:- 'invite' button makes it easy for men to ask women on a date, but it's up to women to accept their invite or not. Some may baulk at the seemingly outdated notion of men choosing (and usually paying) for the date, but it is already proving popular with those tired of the churn of more well known dating apps.

You can add your own suggestions for suitable dating venues in the comments section below, or simply head on over to Meet730, where you can sign up for an account and check out the suggested date venues in the area.

The Grand in Southport has been recognised by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travellers' Choice award winner

THIS accolade places The Grand among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide and serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of its incredible team in consistently delivering exceptional standards and service.

The coveted honour celebrates businesses that have consistently received great traveller reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months.

This is an incredible feat given that The Grand achieved this within just over a year of opening its doors, in July 2022.

Its 5/5 rating showcases the team's ability to consistently deliver excellence to guests whether they are dining in The Grand Brasserie, enjoying live music on Friday and Saturday in Chloé's Piano Bar or are enjoying experiences at one of the many incredible events hosted in The Princess Grace Suite.

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure has invested over £4 million into transforming the historic Grade II Listed venue and bringing it back to life after being empty and derelict for several years.

The landmark building, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, 1st opened in 1923 and has been used as an early car showroom, a cinema, a bingo hall and a casino.

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure is a substantial investor in Southport, also owning:- Lord Street Hotel, the Bold Hotel, Lord Street Sports bar, Punch Tarmey's Irish themed bar, Mavericks Top Gun themed bar and operating the centre bar inside Southport Market.

Tibu Pinedo, General Manager at The Grand, expressed his enthusiasm about the achievement. He said:- "We are truly honoured to receive this esteemed award. It reflects the passion and commitment of our team to provide our guests with an unforgettable experience."

Andrew Mikhail, Chairman of Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group, shared his delight. He said:- "We are delighted to be recognised with the Tripadvisor 2023 Travellers Choice award. This achievement would not have been possible without our amazing team who consistently go above and beyond to ensure our guests have a remarkable time. We owe this remarkable achievement not only to our dedicated team but also to our exceptional chefs who continuously craft culinary masterpieces that leave our guests delighted. Head Chef Callum and Group Executive Chef Colin Gannon have played a pivotal role in curating menus that reflect our commitment to gastronomic excellence. Their culinary expertise and innovation have been instrumental in creating an exceptional dining experience for our guests, ensuring that every visit to The Grand is nothing short of extraordinary. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our loyal customers for their continued support, and we highly value their feedback, which has been instrumental in shaping The Grand into the exceptional venue it has become today."

John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor, said:- "Congratulations to The Grand in Southport and to our other 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice winners. The travel resurgence we've seen throughout the past year has even further heightened the competition. Earning a Travellers' Choice Award demonstrates that you have provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests. With changing expectations, continued labour shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am continually impressed with the Hospitality industry's resilience and ability to adapt. Cheers to another successful year!"