Business and Economy

A Bootle-based precision blade manufacturer has secured a 22,000 sq ft letting at the new Mersey Reach development on Dunnings Bridge Road.

Hardy UK, currently based on Fernhill Road in Bootle, designs and manufactures precision blades for the global leather industry.

Work started on the Mersey Reach development in December and Hardy is scheduled to relocate to their new premises by August 2020.

Mersey Reach is supported by Sefton Council’s business growth team, InvestSefton, and employment and training opportunities will be given to nearby residents through the Sefton@Work programme.

Situated on a 13.5-acre site, the logistics park is strategically located on a prominent gateway route into the docks, with fast access to the M57 and M58.

Once complete, the Mersey Reach logistics park will create up to 350 jobs and is estimated to have a £5.5m positive impact on the area.

MerseyReach is being developed by the Warrington office of industrial developer and asset manager Chancerygate.

Chancerygate Development Director and Head of the company’s Warrington office, Mike Walker, said: “It is excellent to welcome a long-established local business such as Hardy UK to Mersey Reach. This is the area’s first new, multi-unit logistics park to be built for years. We are pleased to work closely with Sefton Council and other stakeholders to bring more business, jobs and other opportunities to the area.”

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council cabinet member for regeneration and skills, said: “We are delighted with the training and employment opportunities the new Mersey Reach development will bring our residents. It is an exciting time for the borough, with new developments and investment that will benefit everyone across Sefton.”

Southport’s long-established reputation as one of the UK’s most welcoming towns for coaches and groups has once again been confirmed with a place on the shortlist at this year’s British Coach Tourism Awards.

The national awards scheme, launched in 2006, recognises the UK’s most coach-friendly destinations, visitor attractions, hotels and tourism suppliers.

Southport will be battling it out against the south coast resorts of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the Somerset destinations of Burnham-on-Sea and Wells, and the Yorkshire town of Otley.

Southport has won the award twice in the last 11 years, in 2009 and 2017, and has been a finalist in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2019. The town was also awarded ‘Coach-Friendly’ status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK in 2004.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, said: “Across the UK’s coach and group tourism industry, Southport has long been recognised as being ‘coach friendly’. The ‘Southport Welcome’ travel trade initiative introduced in 2018 continues to highlight the way we look after coaches and groups. This includes our secure coach parking at the Eco Centre on Esplanade, a special Coach Drivers’ Passport, and the development of ‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’, a range of short break itineraries to inspire and encourage tour operators to spend a few days in the town and the surrounding area.”

Cllr Atkinson added: “In 2019 we celebrated 25 years of our unique ‘Meet and Greet’ service that sees our Coach Welcome Hosts boarding coaches from March to October to hand out maps and leaflets. Our entry for the 2020 award focused on the meet and greet and the role it plays as part of the ‘Southport Welcome’.”

The winners of the British Coach Tourism Awards will be announced on 25 March.

For more information about the ‘Southport Welcome’, go to www.visitsouthport.com

For more information about the British Coach Tourism Awards, go to www.britishcoachawards.co.uk

One of the few Montessori nurseries in the North of England has opened in Bootle with the support of InvestSefton.

Natural Beginnings on Merton Road was officially opened by Mayor of Sefton Cllr June Burns.

Natural Beginnings, who offer childcare for children from six months to five-years-old, were supported by InvestSefton when they opened their first nursery in 2016 and in putting a business plan together for the new operation.

Cheryl Grogan, Director of Natural Beginnings, said: “The free support we have had from InvestSefton in getting things off the ground has been invaluable. Having support from a business growth advisor at this stage in our business growth is a great help. We are proud of the quality of childcare we offer and believe our Montessori-led approach to child development will be an asset to the borough.”

Montessori is a philosophy and approach to education which focuses on the child and their enabling environment. The approach uses hands-on learning and collaborative play to create an independent and confidence-building approach to learning.

Mayor of Sefton Cllr June Burns said: “I think having a Montessori Nursery here will be a great asset for local families. They’re teaching children the practical skills as well as the social skills they need. They’re also learning everyday life skills that will be with them for years to come.”

The Mayor added: “From a business perspective it is great to see the former RBS building put to good use, which can only be a positive thing for the borough. The opening of the nursery will have a positive knock on effect for other local business and that is thanks in part to InvestSefton.”

If you have a business in Sefton and would like to benefit from free expert support, contact the team at InvestSefton on 0151 934 3452.