Southport Cllr John Pugh comments on Bliss Hotel going into administration

The news that Bliss Hotels on the seafront have gone into administration has had a chilling effect on seafront plans according to Lib Dem leader, Cllr. John Pugh. The hotel asset itself was up for sale and it was hoped that the prospect of the planned new conference next to it would only add to its attraction. A director of Bliss had been a leading member of the largely private sector, Southport Town Deal Board whose bid for £37 million won government approval.

“ Many of us are genuinely surprised at this turn of events,” says Cllr Pugh, “It feels like a chill wind in the current very uncertain economic circumstances. No-one should panic but with the new conference development having less than half its anticipated costs covered by the government grant when the public finances themselves are in turmoil, we need to be very cautious . 

This means more transparency and within sensible commercial limits less secrecy. With the Genting Casino going and Bliss hitting trouble, Southport does not need any more unpleasant surprises.”

“ In the current inflationary situation too there’s a clear need to nail down all future costs which will be upwards of £70M (2), before steaming on with demolition of existing assets like the Floral Hall and Theatre Complex in March as is planned.  We’re certainly going to need a quality replacement for Bliss."

No-one though wants another Sibec (Winter Gardens)-  a great scheme in principle half-built and killed in the early 90s by economic forces beyond our control. 

Cllr. Pugh added," You can’t eliminate risk altogether but the public need to be have the assurance that the Council is properly mindful of them. We are entering a crucial phase where on November 15th we will learn which contractors want to complete the project and under what conditions.”