Over 100 local businesses attended three recent InvestSefton events to help local businesses make the most of Southport’s packed 2026 programme of cultural events.

InvestSefton invited Sefton businesses likely to deal with guests to Southport to three free workshops. They covered the topics of Developing an Experience, Social Media & Marketing and Next Level Visitor & Guest Experience for hospitality businesses.

Real mix of businesses

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills said: “These first three popular workshop sessions were set up to help hospitality and visitor economy businesses

“They were attended by a real mix of businesses including representatives from hospitality, bars, café, hotels, B&Bs and visitor attractions.

“The three events covered the themes of ideas, selling and customer service to help Southport businesses benefit from the increased numbers and footfall that these new events will bring to the town.”

Tangible advice, information and ideas

Louise & Paul from Hoghton Lounge Bar said: “We absolutely loved attending the series of workshops recently run by Invest Sefton.

“The sessions were extremely useful for us, offering tangible advice, information and ideas about how to grow your business and link in with the exciting events happening in Southport this year. They were well organised & enjoyable. The team, as always, were so helpful, going above and beyond to offer their help and support wherever possible.

“Sharon, Kris, Tracy & Kayleigh were all fantastic with their knowledge & expertise! Being a small business in the current climate presents many challenges and hurdles so to have InvestSefton and their sessions available to us for free has been greatly appreciated by us!

A huge thank you!”

Truly inspiring

Jeanette from The Bold Hotel said: “The InvestSefton workshops are truly inspiring and incredibly worthwhile.

"In particular, the hospitality workshop stood out, with Andrew Kemsley being an outstanding speaker who shared insights that were both practical and motivating.

“Anyone working in retail or hospitality would have found this session absolutely amazing and incredibly valuable. We will definitely be attending future workshops and would highly recommend them.”

Major events

Throughout 2026, Southport will be hosting a range of major events starting with Lightport in February. Cristal Palace will see Lord Street transformed into an open air ballroom in April and the circus comes to town for May’s Big Top Festival. And in October, literature festival with a difference, Books Alive! will see the town filled with stories and storytelling.

Over the summer, much-loved events like the Southport Flower Show, Food and Drink Festival, Air Show and the British Musical Fireworks Championships, will be returning to the town. Plus, the staging of 154th Open golf at Royal Birkdale in July will bring thousands of visitors giving Southport an opportunity to showcase itself to the world.

You can find out more about Lightport and the exciting programme of Southport 2026 here.

Exciting opportunities 

Cllr Lappin added: “This year is going to be full of exciting opportunities for businesses in Southport, and we want to help them make the very most of them.

“But, if you have a visitor-facing business in Southport and you didn’t come to one of our workshops, don’t worry. We’re organising some more.

“Just visit www.investsefton.com  and sign up to the InvestSefton mailing list to make sure you get the details of events and the latest local business news delivered directly to your inbox.”

“And in the meantime, you can find out more information now, including the three workshop presentations by selecting the Southport 2026 section on the InvestSefton website.”

InvestSefton

InvestSefton is Sefton Council’s enterprise, business support and inward investment service.  It offers free information and advice and access to a wide range of services and is there to help any business, of any size, in any sector.

Those wanting to find out more about how the InvestSefton can help support their business, can visit www.investsefton.com or contact the team on 0151 934 3452 or investsefton@sefton.gov.uk.