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Hotel Signs Inn

Press Release: September 06

Work is scheduled to begin on Southport's new £40 million hotel and business complex before the end of the year.

The final hurdle before work can start has now been passed following the announcement that the Government Office for the North West (GONW) has now given its approval for the scheme. Sefton Council's planning committee agreed the proposals earlier in the summer.

The four star project is being jointly funded by Sefton and Neptune Developments and will see state of the art facilities constructed on the Promenade. These include an incredible 10,000sq ft of extra exhibition space, a 133 bedroom four-star hotel, a casino and eight food and drink establishments.

As part of the scheme a delightful new lakeside public realm area will be created for residents, holidaymakers and business visitors to enjoy.

This project has been part of Sefton Council's Forward Plan for some time and will bring a welcome boost to tourism for Southport and the rest of the borough. A major part of that expansion will be a projected increase in the number of business tourists and conference delegates who come to the resort.

Business Tourism is one of the country's fastest growing tourism market places and Southport will be ideally placed to continue to attract large events with the addition of these new facilities. Already Sefton Council's Business Tourism team bring in around £15 million a year through destination conferences and other business events, with more than 70,000 delegates visiting the town each year.

The new luxury hotel plan is also supported by a separate £4 million scheme to improve the existing conference facilities at the Southport Theatre and Floral Hall Complex. These proposals are currently being designed and developed by the Council and theatre operator Live Nation Ltd and could see dramatic improvements to the centre which will neighbour the new hotel on the Promenade.

Sefton Council Chief Executive, Graham Haywood, said: "Southport is continuing to develop as England's premier Classic Resort and as we head towards 2008 the extended business facilities and top class hotel accommodation are even further evidence of Southport's innovative approach to its future.

"We have come a long way in recent years and are now looking at delivering the very best facilities to help Southport prosper in the business market. I am delighted that we are now in a position to move forward to the construction stage for this ambitious project."