Xmas Parking

[Kafoozalum]

I don't know whether Southport Traders have had a good or bad run up to Xmas this year, but the lack of initiative regards parking to attract visitors will not have helped.
Last week we went to Blackpool to visit The Tower Ballroom and were delighted to find that in the 3 main town center car parks, they had the following Xmas Parking Offer.
"Park for just £1 - all day, any day between 4th December until 31st December." So if you want to be made welcome, go to Blackpool shopping.

[Knot wright]

Not been near Southport all December , been into Liverpool and surrounding areas to do my shopping ... just cant be bothered with the narky parking , slow roads and the shops are the same every where now , I can do Asda, Tesco , B&M , Aldi etc without having to go in a parking zone

[said]

Not been near Southport all December , been into Liverpool and surrounding areas to do my shopping ... just cant be bothered with the narky parking , slow roads and the shops are the same every where now , I can do Asda, Tesco , B&M , Aldi etc without having to go in a parking zone

The non existent free Car Parking facilities in Southport most certainly played a major part in killing trade, as did the lack of a variety of goods available in Southport. As you say, you can shop at any of the larger chains anywhere in the UK. The chains stores have such a massive distribution it prevents them from moving with market trends fast enough to be of any benefit - it is only the smaller, private enterprises that are capable of doing so and it is the reason why many of the market towns in the South are far more successful than Merseyside. Unimaginative councils blame the internet for the problem of lack of footfall - while the truth is that people cannot find what they want locally so are forced to use the internet. It is obvious when you realise that the pound shops are managing well. The lack of thought on behalf of city planners is the reason why vast sums of investment money are being wasted when modernising towns in Merseyside.

[Alikado]

The lack of Free / Reduced Parking is down to the BID not the Council.