Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Visits Southport Market to Celebrate Success and Support Local Businesses

Today, Damien Moore MP welcomed the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, to Southport to celebrate the success of Southport Market and to speak together with local traders. 

The Levelling Up Secretary met with each of the stallholders to discuss their experiences of trading in this unique community space. He enjoyed a white Twix shortbread at Cake Corner, a business launched by 22-year-old entrepreneur Leanne Prescott, and purchased English chicken breast, seasoned and stuffed with cream cheese, from Blackhurst Butchers, who started trading in 1963, showing his commitment to Southport’s local businesses.

Also among those met by the Levelling Up Secretary and Damien Moore MP were a Ukrainian refugee couple, whose stall in the market has proved hugely successful with customers, where their pasta dishes continue to draw a large crowd. Throughout, the Levelling Up Secretary took a particular interest in Southport’s unique cultural and heritage events, such as the Southport Flower Show in August.

Southport received £37.5 million through the Towns Fund, one of the largest Town Deal awards in the country and the largest direct investment Southport has seen in a generation. The funding was lobbied for by Damien Moore MP, who has repeatedly supported Southport’s Town Deal in Parliament, and has continued to meet with Ministers and others to ensure its success.

£900,000 of advance funding from the Town Deal was put towards the regeneration of Southport Market, transforming it into an exciting new food, drink, and events venue. More than ten thousand visitors enjoyed the selection of food and drink available within the first 48 hours of opening on Thursday 22nd July 2021.

Further proposed projects include the Marine Lake Events Centre and the conversion of empty town centre areas to provide incubator space for new businesses, in addition to the upgrading of lights on Lord Street, which has already been completed.

Damien Moore, local Member of Parliament for Southport, said: 

“It was great to welcome the Levelling Up Secretary to Southport’s fantastic Market this morning, following my lobbying of the Government for the vital money that has enabled its regeneration. The Market attracts visitors from all over the North West and further afield, and its transformation has had a tangible impact on our local community.

“However, as I made clear to the Levelling Up Secretary, it is vital that Southport’s regional transport links are strengthened, particularly through the re-instigation of the Burscough Curves, in order to ensure the Market’s continued success.

“I look forward to meeting soon with the Levelling Up Secretary to discuss this, and of course to continue pushing for further investment, both public and private, into our wonderful town.”