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The Classic Conference Resort

Press Release - April 2008

Spring 2008 marks new beginnings and new openings as Southport aims to become the Classic Conference Resort.

The first phase of the £40 million investment programme taking place at the Southport Theatre & Convention centre is set to open on April 30. Just days later the first conference to use the new facilities gets underway with an expected 4,000 delegates attending the Roots conference.

Phase 1 encompasses a spectacular new glass-fronted entrance foyer and link lobby together with new lifts to all floors and new bar and catering areas.

As part of the multi-million pound investment programme, the Floral Hall has been restored to its original art-deco splendour and the Theatre Auditorium and Lakeside Suite have also been refurbished. Phase 1 will quickly be followed by the opening of the new multi-purpose Waterfront Suite in June and the 4-star 133 bedroom Ramada Plaza hotel later in the year.

Once complete the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre will boast a four-star hotel, 10,000 sqft of exhibition space, restaurants, bars and a casino - a perfect setting for the ultimate conference experience.

Opening of Phase One of the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre coincides with a number of other multi-million pound investment programmes across the the borough.

May will witness the opening of Vincent Hotel - Southport's much-anticipated 5-star luxury lifestyle hotel. The boutique hotel offers 60 beautifully decorated guest studios, residences and penthouse of the highest standard appealing to guests using Southport's conference facilities. Conference organisers will be able to hold events in the V-Grand Galleria for up to 200 delegates theatre-style.

The UK's first PGA national residential golf academy, Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, also opens in May, following a £10million investment. The resort offers a 62 bedroom hotel, a state-of-the-art spa and leisure club, excellent conferencing facilities and leading golfing amenities including a new PGA golf academy, nine-hole par 3 course and 25 bay driving range accompanying the existing 18-hole course.

Aintree Racecourse has recently completed a £35m redevelopment programme, which has seen the opening of two new grandstands along with the Aintree International Equestrian Centre. The two new grandstands can accommodate up to 600 delegates in each, while the Aintree Pavilion has 3,700 square metres of exhibition space.

Maxine McCarthy, Conference and Corporate Sales Manager for Sefton Council, said: "A huge amount of money has recently been spent in the Southport region transforming the town and surrounding area turning it into a fabulous 21st century conference destination.

"Spring 2008 will see thrilling times for the Classic Conference Resort of Southport with multi-million pound investment programmes across the resort coming to fruition.

"We are now making the town a conference destination to be envied and I am certain we will be attracting new business as well as building on our existing clientele on the back of what has gone on in and around Southport

"Business Tourism is rapidly expanding in the region and will generate millions of pounds for the resort."

For more details www.visitsouthport.com or www.southportconferences.com